ATLANTA – Legislation that would regulate an alternative method for disposal of the dead is on its way to Gov. Brian Kemp.
The Georgia House of Representatives on Monday adopted Senate Bill 241 by a vote of 157-4. The Senate had already approved the bill in a near unanimous vote in early March.
SB 241 was brought to the legislature by Sen. Rick Williams, R-Milledgeville, who is in the funeral home business.
“It’s just human composting,” he explained in a hearing about the measure several weeks ago, a hearing that was ripe with quips about the “Breaking Bad” bill and a 1950s song called “Dry Bones.”
But Williams said his measure was important for community safety and for the dignity of the deceased. He referenced a recent case in Colorado where remains were not properly disposed of, creating a health hazard.
Williams said properly composted corpses produced safe and hygienic soil that could be returned to families to use as they choose, including in the garden.