Catholic Conference urges lawmakers to reject bill to legalize human composting

The Senate Local Government Committee heard opponent testimony on Senate Bill 323 from Brian Hickey, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Ohio, who urged lawmakers to oppose legalizing natural organic reduction, often called human composting.

Hickey told the committee that "respect for the dignity of the human person is a foundational principle of civilized society" and said treating human remains as materials for compost risks undermining that dignity. He described the natural organic reduction process as one that can render remains "indistinguishable from materials that could be used for landscaping or agricultural purposes" and voiced concern that human remains could unknowingly become part of everyday environments without markers indicating their presence.

Hickey said Ohio already provides alternatives such as natural or green burial spaces in many Catholic and other cemeteries, which "gently return the body to the earth without chemicals, burial vaults, or non‑biodegradable materials." He argued those options address environmental concerns while preserving reverence for the person.

No vote was recorded on the bill at the hearing. The committee received additional written testimony and adjourned the session.