We are all part of the continual and unbroken circle of life.
We are all part of the continual and unbroken circle of life.
Full Circle NORmation is a social enterprise dedicated to reshaping how we return to the earth. Through Natural Organic Reduction (NOR), we transform human remains into nutrient‑rich soil which restores ecosystems, reduces environmental harm, and honors life’s full circle.
Every year in the U.S.:
These practices consume enormous resources:
Annually, flame cremation in the US produces as much CO2 as burning 800,000 barrels of oil. 1 cremation uses the equivalent of 360 20lb propane tanks. The same kinds of tanks used to fuel your typical BBQ grill. That’s a lot of cookouts.
Moving over to modern burial, the lumber used by the funeral industry in 2025, primarily for casket building, is equivalent to the amount of lumber used to build nearly 5000 single family homes. The steel used to manufacture in-ground vaults where the airtight caskets will rest could build 1.5 Empire State buildings every year and the land consumed by cemeteries cannot be repurposed for any other use in our lifetimes multiplied by a factor.
The natural resource usage that comes with modern burial is on full display. It is easy to see and comprehend the value of wood, concrete, steel, and land consumed by modern burial. It is not so easy to see the significantly higher damage to the atmosphere caused by cremation. It is swallowed up in the bigger conversation around climate awareness. This is why education of the population is critical. What we don’t see is harming us more than what we do see.
Overall, the environmental cost of the most popular end-of-life options is staggering.
Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) returns the body to the earth as nutrient‑rich soil, beginning the cycle of life again. The process is carried out in a clean, safe, and monitored NORmation vessel where plant materials like wood chips, straw, and alfalfa are combined with the body to begin natural biodegradation which is initiated by naturally occurring thermophilic (heat-tolerant) bacteria and fungi. This sustainable process takes several weeks. At the end, we have avoided carbon emissions, used no embalming chemicals and reduced the waste of natural resources, all while creating nutrient-rich soil to return to the earth.
In short, NORmation supports:
We all benefit when our planet is healthy. NORmation uses no chemicals, releases no CO2 emissions, reduces resource waste, and creates nutrient rich soil.
Washington as of 2019
Colorado as of 2021
Oregon as of 2022
California as of 2022
New York as of 2022
Vermont as of 2023
Nevada as of 2024
Arizona as of 2024
Delaware as of 2024
Maine as of 2024
Maryland as of 2024
Minnesota as of 2025
Georgia as of 2025 - Home of Full Circle NORmation Project
New Jersey as of 2025
New Hampshire as of 2025
Full Circle NORmation is intentionally built from the grassroots. We believe community momentum creates lasting change.
You can help by:
Sharing your expertise
Volunteering your time
Spreading the word
Making introductions
Offering ideas
Your support helps us make a difference in the lives of those we serve and the planet. You can contribute through donations, volunteer work, and more. Together, we can create positive change.
If you have questions about our organization or are interested in getting involved, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us today to learn more about how you can help make a difference in the lives of those in need.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
We are here. Job one is building awareness for the practice of NORmation. This is a period of relationship building. We are seeking volunteers to lend their support in fundraising and environmental outreach. We are seeking conservancy partners who share our vision for regenerating our planet.
CONNECTION & RELATIONSHIP
This period will be focused on creating connection with conservancies around the world who share our passion for regenerating the earth. We will also seek out relationships with modern funerary services providers and municipalities who desire more eco-conscious end-of-life options for their clients and communities.
TRAINING & SUPPORT
In this phase, we will offer training for those seeking to add NORmation to their current funerary services and those seeking to begin their own NORmation entity to serve their communities.