Written by Alex Y.
You don’t find many designers thinking about creative ways for you to leave this world in an eco-friendly way. But in reality biodegradable urns represent a growing segment in the cremation urn industry where environmentally friendly urns are in demand. Spanish designer MartinAzua has combined the romantic notion of life after death with an Eco solution to the dirty business of the actual, you know, transition.
His BiosUrn is a biodegradable urn made from coconut shell, compacted peat and cellulose and inside it contains the seed of a tree. Once your remains have been placed into the urn, it can be planted and then the seed germinates and begins to grow. You even have the choice to pick the type of plant you would like to become, depending on what kind of planting space you prefer.
So, would you rather leave a tomb stone behind or a tree?
Personally, I thought this was very interesting! I never even considered this to be a possibility let alone something that could help our environment. Who knew that human ashes could be turned into a tree? I’m curious to see what other people feel about this concept and if they think they would be open to this idea. I’m not sure how I feel about this personally. While I love the idea of replenishing the earth and I find it fascinating that something like our own ashes can do this, it’s difficult to wrap my head around the idea that human ashes can be grown as a tree. “You don’t find many designers thinking about creative ways for you to leave this world in an Eco-friendly way.” I really like this line as I think it’s a thought that most people don’t have. Not necessarily the the “leaving this world” part, but the part about designers thinking of creative and Eco-friendly ways to help the world. Everyone has this anonymous power within themselves that allows them to create and to think. It’s so often taken for granted and I think this article is a prime example of what a little thinking outside the box can do. Can you come up with some simple Eco-friendly ideas that could have the potential to do great things for our world?
My grand-father died earlier this year, he would have loved this.
[…] His BiosUrn is a biodegradable urn made from coconut shell, compacted peat and cellulose and inside it contains the seed of a tree. Once your remains have been placed into the urn, it can be planted and then the seed germinates and begins to grow. You even have the choice to pick the type of plant you would like to become, depending on what kind of planting space you prefer.” – Via Discussing the World […]
I’ve personally always felt that simply burying human remains in spaces designated specifically for that purpose (cemeteries) is at least somewhat wasteful. Everyone wants to remember their loved ones, but cemeteries are usually not multi-purpose. With cremation the ashes are stored or scattered, and take up just a fraction of the space that a coffin would if they even take up any place at all.
Planting trees that are surrounded by ashes sounds to me like a perfect way to have something functional to remember someone who has passed away. If this idea catches on, it may turn out to be a much more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cemeteries. Instead of taking up space, why not create something that is beneficial to the environment? Cremation memorials already exist, but perhaps this concept will help to some day bring a more positive light to remembering those we have lost.
Because where would you rather visit; a park filled with gravestones, or a park filled with trees?
I think ben makes so really good points on the fact that I would much rather go to a park with a lot of different beautiful trees to remember a loved one then go to a cemetery. I think this idea could catch on easily on so many different levels. It could/would help economically, having more space and resources and probably a lot more ways then I can think.
The only thing that i could think of that this would become a problem or not socially accepted is in the case of religion. Some religions do believe in an after life where the person would still need there body so they don’t cremate people. Also I believe there will always be some people who would want to be buried and not cremated, so there would still be the need for cemeteries.
Another solution this could help would be the cast amount of spaced used up for pet cemeteries, personally I would much rather spend the money to make my pet into a tree then spend it on a plot of land that could have been used to be made into a tree. That one tree provides more to the rest of the world then a grave marker that sits there. Trees give us air, food, shelter and so much more. I think this is a fantastic idea!
At first Ben, I was completely opposed to this idea. Before I read your comment I was really turned off and a bit disgusted by the idea of a tree coming out of the ashes of a dead person. However, these trees can represent more than just a tree. They could possibly represent the continuation of a life. Also, I would most definitely want to visit a tree than a tomb stone. Tomb stones are depressing and have bad association. Maybe there could be plaques on the tree and stuff. I’m not sure. Imagine how many trees there would be if everyone did this. Might be a good idea.
I don’t want to sound negative, but cremating a human body is extremely energy intensive (we don’t burn easily). Plus it turns you into carbon dioxide which, if you are concerned about the environment, isn’t a “good way to go”. And so, although I commend the idea of using ashes in a constructive, environmental way, I don’t support the idea of being turned to ashes in the first place.
I would like to be turned into a tree, but I’d like it to be done in the least energy intensive way possible. Nature will decompose our bodies in their entirety if we let it.
I always joke that I want to be composted when I die. The problem is finding a socially acceptable way to do that…
I think what you said about it being not so environmentally friendly is not known to a lot of people. That does kind of change my views on this approach. I still believe that its a good idea that takes up a lot less space but would be better if it was environmentally friendly all the way around. I do think alex however did pose the question of “Can you come up with some simple Eco-friendly ideas that could have the potential to do great things for our world?” I don’t think alex is implying that this is the best possible thing to do when you die or that she intends to do this but more that this artist is thinking of ways to improve his world. I think Alex wants us to think about ways that would better what it is today to make the tomorrows last longer.
I found this video about a new type of ecofriendly cremation. What it basically does is dissolve all the tissue in acid just leaving the bone behind. It does not produce CO2 emission nor will it release mercury. This method is very controversial because many people say it’s washing people way because the liquid is disposed. The counter argument is that that water will eventually run into a river or to the sea and you’ll become part of nature. I rather become a tree but for those people looking for an alternate ecofriendly way to be buried this might be a solution.
Santiago Zapata
Here is the link to the video:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14114555
jpgreenword: You may not support cremation, but a lot of communities do as a whole, so even though this may no be for you, a lot of people could use this as an environmentally friendly use of their relatives and their own bodies. This may not be for you, but it could be big for others.
If it was socially acceptable, we might as well go around to all the cemeteries in the area and plant trees over every plot. We can’t though because people would think that was disrespectful, so this bio-urn thing may be the start to a whole new funeral process that is more environmentally friendly.
This idea of placing cremated ashes into a tree is very peculiar. Like jpgreenword said, not a lot of communities and religions find cremation acceptable, however for the people who believe it is I think this is a great way to leave the planet in help of making this environment more sustainable. Like ben said it would be more beneficial to not take up space and instead be cremated into something that would help our environment but I am not sure how many people would actually follow through with this act. Maybe we can think of something that can help our planet that more people would be open too.
I agree with the part in Teal’s comment where she brings up religion because that is a big factor in deciding what to do with your body once you die. Some religions bury their dead people for specific reasons either to honor them or whatever. So would that not bring up an issue with this idea? Now the idea is not bad because either way our bodies end up sometimes being taken out of the earth when the cemetery ground is used for a school or an office building. I am just really curious on where religion fits into this?
Another idea that could be brought from this would just be planting a tree in general when someone dies to honor them. This way if it is not socially or religiously acceptable it is still improving our world. In the jewish tradition there is even a holiday where you go and plant trees, that one day alone makes a difference, but if that one day could become everyday a vast amount a trees were planted it could make a huge difference. I agree with what zander said earlier about how it could be looked at as inappropriate and disrespectful to plant a tree right on top of a person but i don’t think thats true if its around the cemetery to honor a person. There are so many different ways to look at this article then just from an environmental aspect and I think everyone is really picking up on that.
I think Teal makes a great point that religion is going to be a huge factor as to whether or not this idea actually makes it. I feel like certain communities will be quick to shut this idea down.
I think that for people planning on cremating their bodies when they die, this is a great way to make a difference in the environment. I feel that anyone who plans on being cremated should keep this idea in mind. It really is more of a “why not” idea. I think that many people will use this in the event of their death.
@jpgreenword: Cremation may not be environmentally friendly, but an embalming and funeral service process could be potentially as detrimental on the environment if not more so. All of the chemicals used in embalming the body, the casket, the maintenance of the funeral grounds, the space taken up by a grave; those generally aren’t positive things.
I like the thought of cremation because it doesn’t have to take up any permanent space, but I think you’re onto something with the “composting idea.” I don’t care if it’s socially acceptable, I’d do that!
Ben, although i do agree that cremation may be more “environmentally friendly” than being embalmed and buried 6 feet under ground. I believe that one’s death and how they choose to leave their human body on this earth is a personal choice that should not take the environmental accounts into effect one bit. If one is cremated, one is less likely to be remembered then if their is a gravestone 6 feet above where one’s body is underground. That is why I won’t to be buried, to leave a legacy and place of remembrance for my life and accomplishments.
I really like this idea. I have never agreed with having my body burried and just letting it decompose underground. But at the same time, I do not like the idea that somebody would keep the remains of my body after I am cremated. So I think that this is a great solution to both of these problems I have. I think it is awesome that somebody has thought of a creative and beneficial way to preserve our bodies after we are gone. I would definitely consider doing this.
I’m curious about the science behind this. So how do our ashes make a tree grow? I cannot imagine that or grasp my head around that. I don’t have much of a green finger.
Lauren, it’s not the ashes specifically that make the tree grow. There is a seed put in that little cup along with the ashes. The whole biodegradable cup is planted in the ground and then watered. The ashes disperse into the ground and the seed begins to grow around them. Therefore, the tree grows out of the ashes in a figurative sense, but not literally.
Oh okay. Thanks Cameron! I figured they couldn’t grow out of the ashes that is why it was all so weird to me.m
So does that mean the person is not really “in” the tree? Because I vaguely remember when we first started talking about this in class that was a comment that was made, that the person would “become” part of the tree. If I’m getting what your saying correctly the ashes are only there… not even what really helps the tree grow… that it is more of the cup it’s in that helps the seeds grow.
It is kind of a metaphor in my opinion. The person is in the tree in spirit because their ashes are in the little pot, but the person themself is not really “in” the tree.
I think the fact that we as a person after life can be made metaphorically and truly into a tree. Using ashes with biodegradable cups planted in the ground is not only interesting but fascinating and creative. This way of creating a tree is very special and could mean a lot to certain people. Families could always know their loved one is planted right here into a beautiful tree along with their remains. Being buried is very sad and being burnt is kind of over the top so being a tree as abbigail winslow said does solve the problem and people are seen as beautiful creations after life as well.
I really like the idea of, when we die, using that as an opportunity to replenish our environment. After reading jpgreenworld’s post, I agree that this isn’t the best way to do that–because cremating in the first place creates carbon dioxide. And if everyone were to do this when they died, it wouldn’t really end up helping the environment all that much. I think it would be awesome if when a person died, they could set up for a tree to be planted in their name. Instead of growing the tree from their ashes, it could be done in a more natural way that still helps the environment and honors the person who’s tree it represents the life of.
In my opinion, we should of started this a while ago. The more our population grows the more trees and forests we have to take down in order to find a place to live and planting a tree for every person that dies wouldn’t even everything out but it will help tremendously. And I agree with George Rodriguez and Abbigail Winslow that it would also be nice that a tree in the back yard or front of a loved one to come back to and it will always be there.
I agree that we should have definitely started doing this before, especially now that we are realizing the dangers of deforestation that we are facing now. Just think how many trees could be produced if we could at least get half the people in the world to use these urns when they died. We wouldn’t have to worry as much about all the trees that are cut down for industrial use every day. At the current rate of deforestation, in forty years all forests will be gone, so we better get started burying people in these urns!
This is a great idea with the potential to really take off. There is always a negative feeling towards trees having to be cut down and with good reason. But, this is a new way to add more trees to the environment. However, it won’t be easy to get everyone on board. One, there are zoning issues. An entire cemetery of trees could never work as that would cause issues later with trees growing on top of each other and becoming a hazard. This idea, though, could be carried out anywhere. Two, the issue of religion certainly comes into play as it does in the question of the special burial suits. People believe certain things about death and probably would be hesitant to change the way things have been done for years depending on the religion. There are obstacles, but this idea could turn into a great one.
Jackson, while I do agree with you that it would be good in an environmental sense, as in taking up less space. In a religious sense, I do not see how this could happen, because wouldn’t some uber-religious people believe that turning into a tree would limit their potential opportunities in their after-life. Also I am wondering if it has been scientifically proven that putting your ashes in tree soil will turn you into a tree. I feel as if the life of a tree would be no fun and would be very boring and would rather be buried 6 feet under or chyroginically frozen when i pass, than turn into a tree in my afterlife.
What other kind of soil would one be buried in though? Eventually we all end up in the earth and I don’t necessarily believe that all of us will become trees in the afterlife. The ashes are placed in the urn with a seed, so I think that clears up some of the confusion. As long as cremation wasn’t against one’s religion, I think that this type of burial isn’t any different than being put in a box six feet under the earth’s surface.
I really find this article interesting because its shows how one can continue to help the earth even after death. I hope that many people decide to place their remains in one of these biodegradable urns because it shows how much they care for the earth. In my opinion, having a piece of stone with your name engraved into it can’t even compare to helping the world after your death. The only reason I could think of that a person wouldn’t chose to use this is for religious beliefs, otherwise I think everyone should do this!
I really like this idea that we can be eco-friendly even after we leave the earth. There are many deaths taking place each day and if these ashes were used to benefit the environment, our environment can make a huge turn. This is the way of life, since when one thing dies off, another can live from it. After a human dies, the earth can benefit from it. I think this would be hard for some people to accept because they might not be willing to give up their ashes to grow a tree. However, I think this is a really great idea since it is benefitting our environment. Placing our bodies underground in a coffin causes them to eventually die off, so why not put them to use and help our environment?
After reading the article and other people’s comments i really think that this is just another product with a “green” marketing ploy. This is not a new concept at all. It seems even more prehistoric than burring people; before burials when people died, their bodies decompose into the soil and turns into dirt which allows life to grow. If someone is really that economically minded then I don’t see why they would need a company to package their ashes with a tree inside. Obviously you cant just leave dead bodies laying around to decompose but I dont see why this product would make more sense than getting someone cremated and then planting a tree in their honor. It is also a common practice for people to scatter their loved one’s ashes which does away with the problem of taking up space for burials. On a personal note, I think it would be extremely depressing if this tree were to ever die…
I agree with you Catherine because the human body is already able to return to the earth and does not need to be cremated in order to help a tree grow. The decomposers of the world are the key to keeping environments nutritionally healthy. Remember that the human body has many nutrients that can help soil become fertile for more than simply one tree. Each organism is as key to the environment as they are a small portion of the whole bio-system.
The point of this is to plant more trees and to find more ecofriendly ways to be buried. Instead of leaving a tombstone you leave a tree behind. You can also drop your ashes next to a tree, but in that case the tree wouldn’t have started growing from your ashes, which in a way I think it gives it more meaning. As well ashes are usually kept in an urn locked away in a church or some kind of memorial structure made for that person. People also decompose when buried in a coffin, but as I said it would be nicer to leave a tree behind instead of a tombstone. I also think that a cemetery full of trees would look nicer than some the cemeteries we have now. And if tree dies you could burn it and use its ashes to grow a new one.
I think that Ian and Catherine G are right in a sense. The human body does not have to be cremated and made into a tree to create a more “green” society. The body is buried in the earth and over a period of time, the body becomes part of the earth. I think that the idea is different and somewhat creative, but at the end of the day it is neither helping or hurting the ecosystem. Maybe the only beneficial result of these trees would be that there are more trees. But if someone were to chose this method than by all means do so. It is a creative way to honor someone.
Mason, I completely agree, we don’t need someone to die in order to plant trees, we can all take the initiative and plant trees ourselves. I also agree that burying bodies 6 feet under is great because we help the earth by doing this.
This idea is really unique. I think it will definitely appeal to certain people more than it will to others. But I agree with Mason, when we’re buried, our bodies decay and we turn back into earth. It’s pretty much the same thing as our ashes being planted. We go back into the earth one way or another. I mean yes there would be more trees and this will be a great alternative for those who wish to participate. But personally, ashes being put into a bright white and green container isn’t exactly what I think of when I think of burials.
I personally like this idea. The whole process of putting otherwise dead bodies into coffins to take up space in the ground truly doesn’t sound quite logical given the alternatives. I don’t mean to be insensitive about death, and I understand that formal burials have become the “tradition”, however, I think a mindset such as this one regarding death is actually quite beautiful. Death is a natural thing and should be dealt with in a natural way. The idea that, when one passes away, new life (a tree) emerges, is quite symbolic and truly represents the process of nature and the circle of life.
With the potential over population of the earth, its a given that one day we won’t have room for dead bodies anymore. This idea seems so amazing to me because, not only are you saving space and helping the environment, but you get to live on through a plant. I think this idea might even help some people with the grieving process because they will have something that represents their love one. A plant is alive and their love one is dead, but their love one is technically the plant so they are still alive through the plant. I’m not sure if what I just said confused anyone but this type of imagery just really fascinates me. I love this idea and I actually think I would want this for myself when I die.
I totally agree with Meghan, I think that this idea is very beneficial and it is a beautiful concept. I think Meghan is spot on when she says it would help some people with their grieving process. Because this way the loved ones can look at something beautiful creating new life as oppossed to tomb stone. Not to mention trees provide so many beneficial things for the planet that if there were more trees around I dont think it would be so bad. And it would make the planet a more beautiful place.
I love this idea and think that it will be huge. Only concern is exactly what jpgreenword said. Cremating a human body takes enormous amount of energy and also pollutes a decent amount of pollution, considering human size. The only thing I would like to see in order for this to start being huge is altering our “ashes” part. We need to think of another way in which deals with the same concept just more eco friendly
I’m not going to lie, this seemed a little weird to me at first. After I thought about it some more though it is actually less creepy than remains just sitting in a box in the ground. This a great way to produce more plants and trees and such which are vital to the environment’s health. A major problem that humans have created for today is clear cutting and so if this really catches on down the road we could really reduce the negative effects of that by having so many more trees. Not to mention the fact that this will help reduce the carbon dioxide in our environment and increase oxygen flow.
This is a really good alternative for people who persoanlly don’t agree with being buried. I know that my gradmother would love this becasue she personally has elected to have her organs donated, and then she ill be creamated, but I think that if she knew about this alternative she might think about it. I think that this idea will really hit home to many becasue it leaves behind a legacy as well as starting a new ecosystem.
I personally do not want to be buried in a hole were my family will come and cry over my body (if said family exists) but I feel that becoming a tree would be pretty awesome! I feel that it would add a great amount to the environment and it would add to the beauty of the park or the community that I am buried in! Over all it would be pretty cool to be a tree in my bodies afterlife.
I do not want to be buried inside a tree myself, even though I think this idea is very interesting. I also do think that this idea will conflict with many other religions around the world. These religions may see this as improper or immoral to what they believe. However I do give credit for the interesting idea.
I would be fine being buried in a tree. Like Johne I feel like it would conflict with major religions, but the decision to be buried in a tree belongs to those being buried.