An Eco Urn That Returns to the EarthTalk about continuing the cycle of life: designers Martin Ruiz de Azua and Gerard Moline have designed the Bios Urn, a biodegradable urn that also contains the seed of a tree, making it perfect for a green funeral. After the urn is buried, the seed begins to grow, eventually becoming a tree (or the plant of your choice). According to Martin Azua’s website, “The Bios Urn project reintroduces the human being to the natural circle of life. It is the profaine ritual of regeneration and the return to nature.”
The urns are made with coconut shell, compacted peat, and cellulose, allowing for a seamless transition of the ashes into the earth. The ashes serve as nutrients, because cremated remains are a good source of phosphorus, which fertilizes trees. In an interview with Onsustain.com, Azua stated that he and Moline had a goal of “transform[ing] the cemeteries into forests.”
With all the green efforts taking place right now, this innovation certainly has the potential to become the new green funeral standard for the burial of cremated remains.
Bios Urn (Creative Commons)
Planting the Seed (Creative Commons)
Top of Urn (Creative Commons)
For more information:
- Read an article on Discovery News about the Bios Urn
- Check out Limbo eco urns in our SevenPonds Local Resources section for more eco urn options
- See Eco Urns in our Local Resources “Cremation and Burial Products” section for a handmade eco urn
“The Boy and the Heron” by Hayao Miyazaki
Honoring Seniors, Caregivers: Inside the Vision of Carehaus
“In Case You Don’t Live Forever” by Ben Platt
and the beat goes on………
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I love the idea of being burying as the nutrients for a tree seed. However, this process doesn’t eliminate the carbon footprint of cremation.
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You’re right, but a biodegradable urn does help the planet by creating a memorial tree, which is a HUGE improvement when compared to traditional burial and the caustic chemicals that seep into the soil and the negative impact it makes on our planet! If one is looking to be REALLY “green”, then consider alkali hydrolysis or “Biocremation ” as it is commonly referred to! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alkaline_hydrolysis_(death_custom)
When combined with a biodegradable urn like BioUrn4People or BioUrn4Pets, the process is as green as you can get!
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