Decomposed human bodies may soon be fertilizing Colorado soil.

The Colorado legislature is considering a bill that would legalize a process called natural organic reduction. Through this technique, it would take a human body just four weeks to decompose. Normally, it takes a corpse about a year to fully decompose.

According to a KDVR report, the technique involves putting a body into a container filled will alfalfa and wood chips. A month or so later it's broken down into pure soil and the compost can actually be used to grow things. Family members can take the compost home and do whatever they want with it -- like using it to grow plants, flowers. and trees.

Human composting was formally legalized in the state of Washington last year and was being discussed in the Colorado legislature but HB20-1060 never went anywhere. The bill was introduced by State Rep. Brianna Titone, of Arvada.

If the human composting measure is approved this year by the legislature, there's already a funeral home in Denver interested in offering the service.

The bill may not be without controversy. The Catholic Church of Denver has come out in opposition to the measure and the Colorado Catholic Conference has issued a statement saying “... human life and the human body are sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral society. The conversion of human remains to soil does not promote human dignity."

The technique of human composting seems to be very comparable to cremation, which of course, is widely practiced. Some people have the ashes of a loved one sitting on the mantle in an urn, while many folks choose to spread the ashes out in the open in a location that may be near and dear to the departed loved one.

With the Colorado legislature back in session this week, we could see some action on the measure sooner than later. The bill's sponsor says it could go to the governor as soon as next month.

Get our free mobile app

NEXT UP: Crazy Old Colorado Laws That Are Still Enforced Today

 

 

More From K99