By F. Dayo Olusola | M10News | June 8, 2025 Olusola | Category: Society
Environmentally friendly funeral practices such as water cremation and human composting could be officially sanctioned in the UK under proposals set out in a new Law Commission consultation.
The commission’s recently published paper explores potential legal recognition of alternative funeral methods beyond traditional burials, cremation, and the rarely used practice of burial at sea.
Among the methods highlighted are alkaline hydrolysis, commonly known as water cremation or resomation, and natural organic reduction, often referred to as human composting.
Water cremation involves placing the deceased in a biodegradable pouch or wool shroud and subjecting the body to a combination of water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and pressure.
Over the course of four to 14 hours, the body breaks down into a sterile liquid and bone remnants, the latter of which can be dried and ground into powder, similar to ashes from flame cremation.
The process, which mimics the natural decomposition of a buried body but on an accelerated timescale, has been promoted as a more sustainable option compared to traditional cremation.
It was used in the UK as part of a 2019 academic trial involving five individuals, with studies facilitated by Middlesex and Sheffield universities.
In a landmark moment for the practice, South African anti-apartheid icon Archbishop Desmond Tutu chose resomation for his own funeral following his death in 2021.
However, despite growing interest, UK regulations have yet to catch up. Co-op Funeralcare, one of the country’s leading providers of end-of-life services, previously hoped to introduce water cremation in 2023. That plan was shelved due to the lack of a clear legal framework.
A Co-op spokesperson welcomed the Law Commission’s review, stating:
“We are committed to offering the most sustainable and affordable services. We worked closely with government to explore how to introduce resomation nationwide, but were unable to proceed due to regulatory barriers. We support the Commission’s effort to create a framework that allows for greater consumer choice and environmental responsibility.”
The consultation paper also delves into human composting, a process that involves placing the body in a sealed vessel alongside organic materials like straw and wood chips. The body decomposes over two to three months, and the resulting soil can be returned to loved ones.
Although some experimental funeral technologies, such as cryogenic freezing, were also mentioned in the consultation, the report concluded they are not yet practical or viable.
Currently, new funerary techniques in the UK fall outside of specific legislation and are only loosely governed by environmental and planning laws. The Law Commission’s proposals aim to establish a modern, clear legal framework to regulate such methods and ensure they are carried out safely and ethically.
The consultation is open until spring 2026, when a final report and draft Bill are expected.
Source: Sky News
