California legalizes composting human bodies
California has just become the fifth state in the US to legalize the composting of human bodies, a planet-friendly alternative to the toxic process of cremation.
Death & Grief
El Salvador sees unprecedented decline in homicides since 2015
El Salvador’s homicide rate in 2021 was 3.1 per day; a precipitous drop from 2015’s homicide rate of 18.2 murders per day. It has continued to drop in 2022.
Equatorial Guinea abolishes death penalty
Capital punishment was “totally abolished” in the oil-rich central African country after the president signed a new penal code.
Switzerland votes for default organ donations to save more lives in the country
Under this new ‘presumed consent’ model, people who do not wish to become organ donors after death must explicitly say so.
Barcelona cemetery has a new 100% biodegradable burial area
The new 8,600 square-meter park and cemetery is planted with pines and oaks, ready to host 1,500 new, more environmentally-friendly graves.
Kazakhstan abolishes death penalty
President Tokayev signed a law on ratification of the second optional protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with the purpose of abolishing the death penalty.
Assisted dying is rapidly becoming legal and accepted – currently in 11 countries and 10 U.S. states
Since 2015, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands, Colombia, Germany, Austria, Portugal, five Australian states, ten American states, and D.C. have legalized assisted dying.
Queensland passes historic bill legalizing voluntary assisted dying
The Australian state’s new laws — which take effect in January 2023 — allow people 18 and older who are expected to die within 12 months, and who meet strict eligibility criteria, to seek medical assistance to end their lives.
Sierra Leone abolishes capital punishment
The decision to abolish capital punishment is a significant step forward for fundamental human rights in Sierra Leone and will be especially beneficial to women and girls found guilty of murdering an abuser.
Oregon becomes third state in U.S. to legalize human composting
The bill will legalize what’s known as natural organic reduction, or what some refer to as human composting. The law goes into effect July 1, 2022.