Bios Urn: The Biodegradable End-of-Life Option
Gerard Moliné, one of Bios Urn’s founders
(Credit: urnabios.com/about)
Estudimoline is the Spain-based design studio whose seasoned offspring, the company Bios Urn, is helping individuals create environmentally friendlier end-of-life plans. In short, Bios Urn takes the cremated remains of a person (or a pet) and, rather than perch them on a fireplace mantle, turns them into a tree. Today, Bios Urn has convinced “more than 7,000 people the world over, with more than 28 distributors in several countries, such as the United States, South Africa and Europe” to opt for their “green” urn.
Credit: drivelayer.com
“The Bios Urn project reintroduces the human being to the natural circle of life. It is the profane ritual of regeneration and the return to nature. Bios is a mortuary urn made from biodegradable materials: coconut shell, compacted peat and cellulose.
Inside it contains the seed of a tree. Once the urn is planted, the seed germinates and begins to grow. The seed can be changed for a different type of seed or plant more adequate to the chosen planting place, if need be.”
–Bios Urn
Designer Gerard Moliné envisioned Bios Urn in 1997, and it was not until 2002 that the urns finally came to fruition. The company, which has since recruited designer Roger Moliné, now boasts accolades and awards from around the world, and was even a top nominee for the INDEX Award in 2005.
Here is the product’s breakdown: Firstly, the buyer has a choice between a “biodegradably friendly” urn for a pet or human. The ashes of your loved one are placed in the upper compartment of the urn (which looks a bit like a giant Starbucks cup). After the vessel is planted (about five centimeters from the surface is recommended), the components are then “mixed in the capsule, adding soil from the site where [one is] going to plant the urn,” then, “the seed [is planted] in the upper capsule.” Tree options include Pine, Gingko, Maple and multiple others.
Credit: treehugger.com
Today, there are a mounting number of end-of-life options like Bios Urn — but their products do not all share exactly the same inspiration. For some, it’s a question of finding a more personalized end-of-life option, while for others (like Bios Urn) it’s about giving back to the planet after we’re gone. “It is innovative,” says their site, “it is discrete…it is aesthetic” and it is “designed for our well-being”.
Why would (or wouldn’t) you choose a biodegradable urn? We look forward to your comments below.
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Seems very fullfilling. During this time of mass movings for family members, away from “home”,
what are some of your suggestions re planting space and care for the growing sapling? None of
my kids live near home base so no one could be responsible for establishing and maintaining a
tree. Could I be planted at Yosemite without a lot of legal restraints having to be considered? I
would like to be in Yosemite and Mother Nature would support support (or destroy) my efforts to
support the planet.
Perhaps you envision a space set aside for a community of like-minded people (sigh); it would be QUIET, no blood-letting. Peace, Loraine
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Hi Loraine,
What an insightful email. There are programs that care for trees when first planted. There are also neighborhood programs that add trees to a community. I agree going forward there will be those who will contribute their time more to a support effort on our planet!
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I really like the idea of this. It’s such a happy way to think about leaving your loved one’s remains for years to come. You can walk back and re-visit that tree to know that the tree sprouted from the ashes of your loved one. Truly and incredible thought, it makes you realize that we are all so similar and so connected. When my grandma was cremated, her ashes reminded me of tiny pebbles, but when my grandpa was cremated his ashes were more like fine sand. Do these urns work better one way or another, or does it not matter?
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We are just about to kick start a pet aquamation business in Western Australia and would like wholesale pricing or area rights
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Hi Catherine,
Congratulations on your new endeavor! I looked at the Bios Urn website and they quote a price of $140 USD, but they may very well offer a lower bulk price. Try contacting them directly. I don’t see a phone # listed, but they do have a Facebook page.
Here’s a link to their site
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