Scoop: Human composting biz plans Mass. expansion

State of play: Human composting could be the next frontier for funeral services in a state pressed for space, but its future hinges on whether lawmakers plan to update state burial laws.

• Two Western Mass. lawmakers, Rep. Paul Mark and Sen. Jake Oliveira, filed a bill to do that, and it was voted out of the Public Health Committee and sent to Senate Ways & Means in January.

How it works: Human composting, or "natural organic reduction," is when a corpse is converted into nutrient-rich soil over a 45-day period.

• Earth Funeral conducts the process in stainless steel vessels using renewable energy.
• The company tests the soil to ensure it's below the federal limits for pathogen levels before clearing it for environmental use.
• From there, loved ones can take home the soil, share it with others and spread it in meaningful places, like a memorial garden, per a press release.

What they're saying: "We created Earth Funeral because we wanted to help others make their last act on Earth good for the planet," CEO Tom Harries said in a press release.

• He calls the process, which relies on renewable energy, a natural alternative to burial and cremation.

Zoom out: Earth Funeral got its start in Washington and has expanded to Nevada and Maryland.

• Meanwhile, the company is also pushing for updated burial laws to operate in North Carolina.

What we're watching: Earth Funeral will market its "Earth PrePaid" service to Massachusetts residents as they develop their end-of-life plans while it awaits a response (or lack thereof) from the Legislature.