Help Bring Recompose to California

Send to: snider.annabel@gmail.com with “RE: Support for AB 501: Reduction of Human Remains” in the subject line

[Insert month, day] 2021

Assemblymember Cristina Garcia

State Capitol

Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Assemblymember Garcia,

[Name of organization or individual] is pleased to offer support for Assembly Bill 501.  This legislation would allow a natural disposition of remains by natural organic reduction (NOR). Current California law limits the method of reducing human remains. Right now, the only allowable method of burial or for the disposition of human remains is traditional burial, cremation and alkaline hydrolysis, which has been legal since July 1, 2020.  AB 501 simply gives families another burial option when they are choosing what to do with their loved one’s remains.

Cremation accounts for over 66% of after-death choices within California, but requires fossil fuels and emits CO2 into the atmosphere, polluting our air and contributing to climate change. Traditional burials with a casket leach chemicals into the ground from the treated casket wood and embalming chemicals. For every individual that chooses NOR over traditional burial or cremation, one metric ton of carbon is prevented from being emitted into the atmosphere.

As cemeteries begin to fill up and land is less available for burial plots, Californians are looking for more sustainable death care practices. AB 501 would create an additional option for death care practice that is more environmentally friendly and sustainable. If every California resident chose natural reduction as their after-death preference, we would save nearly 2.5 million metric tons of CO2 in just 10 years.

For the above reasons, [I/we] support this important legislation.  If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [insert phone number] or [insert email].

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Position in organization, if applicable]

[City or district]

[Email or phone number]

Send to: snider.annabel@gmail.com