Petition · past parliament · Department of Health and Social Care
Amend 'Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984' to legalise human composting
Closed
93 signatures
What the petition asks
The Public Health Act includes provision for "Green burials" where human remains are buried in a biodegradable casket but "composting" has not yet been legalised under these regulations.
Human composting happens above ground in a vessel that allows the body to become compost in 30-60 days.
Human composting happens above ground in a vessel that allows the body to become compost in 30-60 days.
After death care is a very personal preference and the more choices that people have, the better.
Traditional burial and cremation, until recently were the only funerary options. Both are environmentally damaging.
Green burials are another great choice, but still take up valuable land.
Being able to renourish soil or a tree with the compost of a loved one is the ultimate option in returning from where we all came.
Traditional burial and cremation, until recently were the only funerary options. Both are environmentally damaging.
Green burials are another great choice, but still take up valuable land.
Being able to renourish soil or a tree with the compost of a loved one is the ultimate option in returning from where we all came.
Timeline
| 5 May 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 5 Nov 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
93
Status
Closed
Department
Department of Health and Social Care
Opened
5 May 2021
Closed
5 Nov 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.