In Australia, permission has been granted to turn human remains into fertilizer.

A law has been passed in the Australian state of New South Wales that allows for the transformation of human remains into fertile soil. This method will become available starting in 2028.

In a process known as "terraformation" (composting), the body of the deceased is placed in a specialized container along with natural materials such as straw, hay, and flower petals. Air is circulated through the container over a period of 40 to 60 days. As a result, the body is converted into soil suitable for planting, which is then returned to the loved ones of the deceased.

This new method is being presented as a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial or cremation. In Australia, a traditional funeral can cost as much as 50,000 dollars. Furthermore, a shortage of land for cemeteries is also driving interest in this approach.

The legislation was proposed by independent member of parliament Alex Greenwich. Specialized composting facilities are expected to be operational by 2028. Currently, this method of disposition is permitted in 14 U.S. states and the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.