5 Alternative Burial Options to Consider

When it comes to burying a loved one, it can be a difficult choice as there are so many options out there. A lot of people are choosing alternative burial methods such as cremation due to its lower cost and less impact on the environment. Here we discuss five alternative burial methods that you can choose.

Human Composting 

Human composting is a popular alternative option as it relies on a natural, organic process that returns the body to the ground. Developed by the company Recompose, the process places a body into an enclosure with organic materials such as straw and wood chips and adding warm air. This aids the body with the decomposition process and only takes thirty days for the decomposition to take place.

Mushroom Suit Burial 

A mushroom suit burial is a new process gaining recognition for its economic approach. A biodegradable way to bury your body, it is a suit made from organic cotton clothes that have mushroom spores sewn into the fabric. This enables the body to be buried directly into the ground where the mushrooms will break them down as they grow. This takes away the waste products of traditional cremation as well as neutralising toxins in the body. This is much better for both the environment and for the plants and animal life in the area.

Freeze-dried cremation 

Freeze-dried cremation takes place in a machine built especially for the process. The corpse is placed in the machine which uses liquid nitrogen to "freeze-dry" the body. This rapid process changes the internal properties of the body, evaporating all water found inside it. The organic material that's left is brittle and can be shaken into dust which is then freeze-dried a second time. If the body is being buried the power at the end is placed into a biodegradable casket that is buried into the top layers of soil, allowing for bacterial decomposition. 

Growing a tree from ashes 

A living memorial uses the ashes of someone who has passed to grow a tree. This will create a living memorial that will be around for generations to enjoy, as well as having a space for you to sit and think about them. The Living Urn's BioUrn and planting system are complex in design but easy to use, made from young trees as opposed to seeds to ensure each tree grows successfully. A living memorial uses the ashes of someone who has passed to grow a tree. This will create a living memorial that will be around for generations to enjoy, as well as having a space for you to sit and think about them. 

The Living Urn's BioUrn and planting system are complex in design but easy to use, made from young trees as opposed to seeds to ensure each tree grows successfully. One of the best things about the Living Urn is that you don't need to be a gardener, you simply place your loved one's cremated remains into the BioUrn and add the Living Urn's proprietary RootProtect additive on top. You then lower the roots of your tree into the BioUrn, adding the premium growth mix before planting it in the ground. If you don't live somewhere where you can plant a tree, it's worth looking into a memory forest which is a tranquil resting place for your loved one and their memory tree.

Turn ashes into stones

Whether you want a more tangible reminder of your loved one who has passed, or don't feel comfortable having ashes in your home, it can be a good idea to consider turning the ashes into stones. Each stone will vary naturally in texture, shape and colour making each collection beautiful in its own unique way. The stones can be displayed in a dish, jar or added to your garden, wherever you would like to display them.

Eco-friendly urns from the Living Urn

The Living Urn is dedicated to helping its valued customers honour their loved ones in the best way possible while also protecting the environment. The BioUrn for planting trees is made from recycled plant materials and uses no chemicals, toxic glue and high-energy materials in order to make it. There are also a host of other urns such as burial urns, indoor urns and scattering urns designed to be eco friendly and commemorate your loved one at the same time. No matter the urn you are looking for, the Living Urn can help you to honour and remember your loved one while also helping you to heal.