In what was described as an Australian first, New South Wales moved toward allowing "human compost," a death-care option in which human remains are turned into soil rather than handled through burial or cremation.
That change did not make the practice available yet.
Here's what to know
7News Australia (@7newsaustralia) reported in a TikTok that NSW passed legislation that cleared the way for human bodies to be composted after death.
@7newsaustralia NSW has passed "human compost" laws paving the way for human bodies to be turned into compost after death. #humancompost #burial #cremation #naturalorganicreduction #nswpol ♬ original sound - 7NEWS Australia
"The process, known as natural organic reduction, transforms remains into nutrient-rich soil, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to burial or cremation," the station said.
The news sparked an interesting mix of opinions in the comments.
"Will it be available at Bunnings?" a user quipped in reference to the garden and hardware store.
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Much of the rest of the discussion was serious, with users coming in both for and against the proposal.
"When I die, I'd rather actually go back into the earth and help the environment than decay in a wood box," one wrote.
On the opposite end, someone else expressed outrage: "WTAF? I'm so embarrassed to be Australian right now."
More background
TikTokers continued to spar in the comments about the move.
"Why would people even be mad about this?" one asked. "This will be amazing for the environment, and honestly why do people even care so much about what happens to their body after death? You're dead. Does it really matter?"
Other users wondered about the practicality of the option.
"Who's buying the dirt ewww?" one asked.
That concern received pushback. After all, not everyone goes with the casket route as it is. A commenter argued it was "no different than having your ashes spread…choose a nice spot, put me there."
Others said that taboos around burial are more of a recent phenomenon than anything else.
"This is how it was for thousands of years. Good to get back to basics," one viewer concluded.
What's being done
7News reported that implementation is some ways off.
"The Australian-first practice won't be available until regulations are introduced," the outlet noted.
Where can I learn more?
Human composting is moving ahead in parts of the United States, and other low-impact death-care options are drawing interest too.
• In California and New York, human composting offers families a low-pollution alternative to cremation.
• On the East Coast, the first human compost facility began receiving bodies.
• Dutch designers created a mushroom coffin that helps bodies decompose naturally.
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