Albany, New York - New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new bill to legalize the composting of human remains as an alternative to traditional burial methods.

Imagine if, instead of burying or cremating a recently deceased loved one, you could give them back to the Earth in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

That is the idea behind green burials, also known as "natural organic reduction" or terramation – the act of composting human remains.

On Saturday, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Assembly Bill A382, making New York the sixth state in the nation to jump on the new trend.

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Washington state made the move first in 2019, and was soon followed by Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and California.

According to The Guardian, the process involves placing the body in a reusable vessel that has a bedding of material, such as a wood chips or straw, which is perfect for composting.

Microbes within the material over time break the body down, and after six to eight weeks, about 36 bags of nutrient-dense soil are produced, which can then be used as fertilizer.

The bill has been heavily criticized by religious groups who have urged Hochul to veto it, arguing that the process "does not provide the respect due to bodily remains."

Advocates say that the method presents a cheaper and more eco-friendly alternative to burials, which use fossil fuels.

Cemetery corporations will have to become certified organic reduction facilities in order to conduct green burials.