Natural Organic Reduction (NOR), more commonly known as human composting, transforms human remains into nutrient-rich soil. This method offers an environmentally sound alternative to traditional burial and cremation, using natural biological processes to return the body to the earth. The total duration is a two-phase journey, divided between active transformation and a secondary period of curing and refinement, ensuring the final soil is safe and stable.
The Initial Transformation Phase
The active biological decomposition phase typically lasts between 30 and 45 days. This phase begins when the body is placed in a specialized vessel alongside carbon-rich organic materials like wood chips, straw, and alfalfa. These materials provide the necessary carbon, while the body supplies nitrogen, creating the optimal environment for naturally occurring aerobic microbes to thrive.
Microbial activity generates substantial heat, which drives the process. The temperature inside the vessel is sustained at high levels, ranging from 130°F to 160°F, for a minimum number of days. This thermophilic phase uses sustained high temperatures to eliminate potential pathogens and ensure the final soil product is biologically safe. The contents of the vessel are also rotated periodically to introduce oxygen, which sustains the microbes and accelerates the breakdown of soft tissues and bone.
The Secondary Curing and Refinement Stage
Following the active transformation, the material enters the curing and refinement stage, lasting an additional four to eight weeks. The resulting material is removed from the vessel and transferred to an aerated bin to cure. This process is less intense than the initial phase, allowing the compost to cool, dry, and stabilize chemically.
During this time, the microbial population shifts from thermophiles back to mesophiles, and fungi begin to break down the more complex, woody carbon compounds. The material is screened to remove any non-organic items, such as medical devices, joint replacements, or dental fillings that did not break down. This final refinement ensures the material is consistent, stable, and ready to be used as a soil amendment.
Factors Influencing the Total Timeline
The total time required for human composting can fluctuate based on several variables. Facility-specific protocols play a large role, as some providers may use accelerated methods while others opt for a more gradual approach, directly impacting the transformation phase. The composition of the remains, including bone density and overall body mass, can also affect the biological activity and the time needed for complete breakdown.
State regulations introduce another layer of variability, as some jurisdictions mandate minimum holding or testing times for the finished soil. These regulations ensure the biological safety and stability of the product before it can be released. Compliance with local testing requirements and holding periods can extend the overall timeline beyond the biological processes alone, meaning the total duration can differ between providers and geographic locations.
Total Time from Start to Return
The entire process, from the body’s placement in the vessel to the soil’s final return to the family, takes 8 to 12 weeks. This timeframe accounts for the initial five-to-seven-week active transformation phase and the subsequent three-to-five-week curing and refinement period. Logistical and legal steps must be completed before the process can start, adding time to the overall family timeline.
Necessary tasks like completing paperwork, obtaining legal permissions, and arranging transportation of the remains must occur before the biological clock begins. After the soil is finished, final packaging and coordinating the return or disposition with the family takes additional time. The resulting product is about one cubic yard of nutrient-rich soil amendment per body, which families can use for memorial gardens, landscaping, or conservation projects.