Human Composting Locations In Australia: A Full Guide
Where are human composting locations in Australia? Here’s the truth – despite growing interest, human composting isn’t currently legal anywhere in Australia.
But don’t leave this page yet! There’s actually a lot that we can discuss here, including some beautiful alternatives that have similar environmental goals. Let’s dive into what’s really available, and how you can make meaningful end-of-life choices that align with your values.
What Is Human Composting In Australia?
Human composting (known as “natural organic reduction”) turns human remains into soil through natural decomposition. A deceased body is placed in a container with organic materials such as wood chips, straw and alfalfa. Over 30-90 days, microbes break down the remains, turning the body into about a cubic metre of nutrient-rich soil.
It’s essentially the circle of life – returning bodies to the earth in a way that can nurture new growth. The concept offers an approach to death that aligns with many environmentally conscious people. Recompose in USA provides human composting.
The Current Legal Status Of Human Composting In Australia
As of 2025, human composting isn’t legal or available anywhere in Australia.
The main challenge lies in current Australian laws, which say that human remains have to be buried in designated burial grounds. The soil produced through human composting would probably be classified as body remains under current definitions, creating some legal complications.
But there’s progress about the legality of human composting in Australia. Back in 2022, the Victorian Youth Parliament had a debate and passed a “Human Composting Bill.” An important step to legalize human composting in Australia
The Victorian Youth Parliament Human Composting Bill
The 2022 Human Composting Bill proposed by the Victorian Youth Parliament provides some interesting ideas on how human composting might eventually be regulated in Australia. The bill, which was put forward by Education First Youth Foyers but rejected by the City of Greater Bendigo, set out a detailed plan for introducing human composting as an eco-friendly option for funerals.
This law suggested that human composting should be included as a service provided by Class A Cemetery Trusts of Victoria, with the Department of Health overseeing it. The bill laid out details about how human composting should be done, like the deceased had to have chosen to be composted in their will, embalming procedures should be prohibited, and the resulting compost had to be checked for harmful pathogens, radiation, quality, bones, and non-organic materials. It also discussed how the human compost would be delivered, saying that families could claim it or it could be given to environmental projects. This bill hasn’t been made into law yet, but it’s a really important starting point for the future and shows that more and more people in Australia are in favour of this eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial.
Where Can You Find Human Composting Services in Australia?
Where is human composting available in Australia? At the moment, human composting is not available anywhere in Australia. There aren’t any companies in Australia offering human composting services because of the legal restrictions. The idea is interesting, but it’s not an option as a legal end-of-life option yet.
But there are some good signs. Some cemetery and organizations like Earthly Remains Canberra are campaigning to introduce human composting in the ACT and have received funding for proof-of-concept trials. These local efforts shows that change might be near – it just requires time and continued advocacy.
What Are Current Alternatives To Human Composting?
Just because human composting isn’t available doesn’t mean you’re stuck with conventional options. There are various alternatives to human composting in Australia:
Natural Burial
Natural burial is legally permitted in most Australian states and territories. It involves:
1. Burying an unembalmed body in a biodegradable shroud or coffin
2. No grave liners or burial vaults
3. Natural grave markers like trees or rocks (sometimes no marker at all, with locations recorded via GPS)
You’ll find dedicated natural burial grounds across Australia, Learn more about it Here!
Living Legacy Trees
This is the best alternative to human composting in Australia. Living Legacy Trees at Mornington Green Living Legacy Gardens offer a beautiful alternative that achieves many of the same environmental goals as human composting.
1. Treats cremated remains using a patented process that transforms them into nutrients
2. These nutrients nourish a memorial tree, available trees such as cherry blossom, jacaranda, red flowering gum.
3. Creating a living, growing tribute in a protected garden
Explore all available trees here!
Compared to human composting, It’s completely legal and available right now in Australia. If you are located in Western Australia, you can visit Wellington Dam Living Legacy Forest.
Water Cremation (Aquamation)
Water Cremation is also known as alkaline hydrolysis, this process uses alkaline chemicals, water, and heat to accelerate natural decomposition. Because of this process, many considers this greener than traditional cremation, it uses significantly less energy and produces no harmful air emissions.
Aquamation is currently available in Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT, Queensland, and South Australia.
Where Human Composting Is Legal
While Australia hasn’t yet legalized human composting, its currently legal in other countries like United States, offered by companies like Recompose and Earth Funeral, and also Sweden.
Why Living Legacy Trees Are An Excellent Alternative To Human Composting
Living Legacy Tree is the top alternative to human composting. Here’s why:
1. It’s available now – Unlike human composting, this option is currently legal and accessible throughout Australia.
2. Environmental impact – The process transforms ashes (which can be harmful to soil when untreated) into nutrients that nourish plants and trees.
3. Living memorial – Creates a beautiful, growing tribute that changes with the seasons.
4. Gathering place – Provides families with a peaceful location to visit, reflect, and connect.
5. Legacy creation for your family– Each tree helps offset carbon footprints, contributing to a healthier environment for future generations.
The beautiful gardens of Mornington Green in Victoria provide a serene place for remembrance, it gives families a meaningful way to honor loved ones while contributing to environmental sustainability.
What Alternative To Human Composting Is Available Now In Australia
For those drawn to the idea of becoming part of nature’s cycle and creating new life after death, Living Legacy Trees offers that and is available right now.
Interested in learning more about creating A Living Legacy? Visit Mornington Green Legacy Gardens to see firsthand how their patented process works and explore their beautiful memorial gardens.
Change The Way We Leave The World
