Relating To Human Remains.
If passed, HB747 will amend several sections of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, particularly concerning the handling and disposition of unclaimed human bodies. Specifically, it will introduce provisions that allow for natural organic reduction as an acceptable method of final disposition. This is expected to promote greener practices within the death care sector and potentially reshape the norms surrounding funerary services in Hawaii.
House Bill 747 aims to legalize natural organic reduction, also known as human composting, as an environmentally sustainable method for the treatment and disposal of human remains in Hawaii. This bill is introduced amid growing trends in other states like California, Colorado, and Washington, where similar practices have been enacted. The intent is to provide a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional burial and cremation processes that rely heavily on fossil fuels.
Notable points of contention may arise regarding the societal acceptance of natural organic reduction, especially among communities that hold traditional views on death and burial rites. Additionally, there may be legal implications concerning the rights of individuals to direct the disposition of remains, particularly in cases of unclaimed bodies. Provisions in the bill allow funeral establishments to act under good faith reliance on the directions of individuals claiming the right of disposition, which could also lead to disputes.