The regulatory position in England and Wales is clear: while traditional funerary methods – burial, cremation and burial at sea – are specifically regulated, new funerary methods such as alkaline hydrolysis and human composting are not. lawcom.gov.uk+2iccm-uk.com+2

Specifically:

The Law Commission for England and Wales, under its 13th Programme of Law Reform, is conducting a project entitled “Burial, Cremation and New Funerary Methods”. Within this the sub-project “New Funerary Methods” is examining a future-proof regulatory framework for methods like human composting. lawcom.gov.uk+2iccm-uk.com+2

A consultation paper was published on 4 June 2025, opening until 4 September 2025, inviting views on key issues such as the principles that should govern such methods (including human dignity, environmental protection, public health), licensing and registration, and offences for use of unregulated methods. iccm-uk.com+1

The Law Commission emphasises it is not prescribing that human composting must be regulated; rather, it is creating the enabling framework so that Government can decide which new methods to approve and under what conditions. Local Government Lawyer

The consultation expects to lead to a final Report and draft Bill in spring 2026. lawcom.gov.uk+1

At present there is no express legal authorisation (or regulatory scheme) for human composting in England and Wales: existing laws such as the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1926 and the Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 create obligations around certificate, disposal and registration that imply new methods may fall into a legal vacuum or be inadvertently unlawful. Today's Wills and Probate

Key Legislative and Regulatory Milestones

Consultation phase: The Law Commission’s open consultation on new funerary methods ran until 4 September 2025. iccm-uk.com

Recommendation and draft Bill: The final Law Commission report, including recommendations and a draft Bill, is targeted for spring 2026. lawcom.gov.uk+1

Parliamentary & Regulatory phase: Following the Commission’s output, primary legislation will be required, followed by regulations and licensing systems. eterrna UK is actively preparing for this to ensure operational readiness.

Implementation phase: Once legal authorisation is secured, eterrna will move rapidly to launch facilities, working with local planning and environmental regulators.

In short: the door is open for reform; the legislative vehicles are in train; but the path is uncharted and requires industry, regulators and government to work in tandem. We invite stakeholders—in government, industry, local communities and the bereavement sector—to join us in this journey. Together we can bring to life an option that respects human dignity, supports sustainable land and carbon use, and gives people meaningful choice in how their lives are honoured.