New Hampshire HB 1457: relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.

Bill Text

HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
19Feb2026... 0560h
2026 SESSION
26-2919
09/08
HOUSE BILL 1457-FN
AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.
SPONSORS: Rep. LaMontagne, Straf. 17; Rep. Darby, Hills. 11; Rep. Knab, Rock. 12; Sen.
Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
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ANALYSIS
This bill allows for the natural organic reduction of human remains and provides for regulation
of the practice.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
19Feb2026... 0560h 26-2919
09/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
AN ACT relative to natural organic reduction of human remains.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Short Title. This act may be known as and cited to as the "Live Free and Die Free Act."
2 Embalmers and Funeral Directors; Board Duty. Amend RSA 325:8-a to read as follows:
325:8-a Board Duty; Crematory Licensing; Natural Organic Reduction Facility Licensing.
The board shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of RSA 325-A relative to the
cremation of human remains, and RSA 325-B, relative to natural organic reduction of human
remains.
3 New Chapter; Natural Organic Reduction of Human Remains. Amend RSA by inserting after
chapter 325-A the following new chapter:
CHAPTER 325-B
NATURAL ORGANIC REDUCTION OF HUMAN REMAINS
325-B:1 Definitions. In this chapter:
I. "Natural organic reduction" means the contained, accelerated conversion of human
remains to soil, hereinafter referred to as NOR.
II. "Board" means the state board of registration of funeral directors and embalmers
established under RSA 325:2.
III. "Disposition container" means a container in which human remains are placed and
means a container made of wood, wicker, grass, cardboard, or other biodegradable container, or a
shroud made of cotton, linen, wool, hemp or other biodegradable or plant material.
IV. "Casket" means a rigid container made of wood, metal, or other similar material,
ornamented and lined with fabric, which is designed for the encasement of human remains.
V. “Alternative container” means a container, other than a casket, designed for encasement
and transfer of human remains.
VI. "Reduced remains" means the results of performing NOR on a deceased person.
VII. "Natural organic reduction chamber" means the enclosed space within which NOR will
take place.
VIII. "Natural organic reduction facility" means a building or structure or a room or other
space in a building or structure or real property where NOR is facilitated and occurs.
IX. "Natural organic reduction authority" means the legal entity subject to licensure by the
board to maintain and operate a NOR facility and perform NOR.
X. "Natural organic reduction operator" means a person who is responsible for the operation
of a natural organic reduction.
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HB 1457-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE
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XI. "Authorizing agent" means a person vested with the right to control the disposition of
human remains pursuant to RSA 290.
XII. "NOR delivery receipt form" means a form provided by a funeral establishment to a
NOR facility to document the receipt of human remains by such authority for the purpose of NOR.
XIII. “Reduced Remains receipt form" means a form provided by a reduction facility to an
authorizing agent or his or her representative that identifies the reduced remains, and the person
authorized to receive some or all of the reduced remains.
XIV. “Natural organic reduction certificate” is a document created by the NOR facility
certifying NOR has been completed on a specified deceased person.
XV. "Funeral director" means funeral director as defined in RSA 325.
XVI. "Holding facility" means the area of a NOR facility designated for the retention of
human remains prior to NOR and includes a refrigerated facility.
XVII. "Human remains" means the body of a deceased person, or a human body part, in any
stage of decomposition and includes limbs or other portions of the anatomy that are removed from a
person or human remains for medical purposes during treatment, surgery, biopsy, autopsy, or
medical research.
XVIII. "Temporary container" means a receptacle made of cardboard, plastic, or other
similar material in which reduced remains are placed prior to scattering.
325-B:2 Natural Organic Reduction Facility; License Required. A NOR facility shall not be
established, operated, or maintained in th