Turning Cemeteries Into Forests!

For centuries, people have either been buried or cremated by loved ones after passing. Both of them only help harm our already hurt environmental. While cemeteries help waste a lot of good lands, the cremated of dead bodies only release more carbon-dioxide and noxious chemicals into the atmosphere. What if, instead of cutting down trees to make cemeteries and coffins, we plant them instead. Cemeteries will acquire a new look and, instead of the cold gray landscape we see today, they will grow into vibrant woodlands. This is what the Capsula Mundi concept is all about.

In the attempt to make cemeteries, funerals, and burials greener, many different ideas have been put forth over the last couple of decades, including one which can turn your loved ones into compost, but this concept goes a step further and envisions planting "sacred forests" with the bodies of the deceased serving as fertilizer. The Capsula Mundi concept, from designers Anna Citelli and Raoul Bretzel, uses an egg-shaped burial pod made from biodegradable starch plastic as the coffin, in which the body is placed in a fetal position and buried under the ground. A tree (or tree seed) is then planted over the top of the pod, which will use the nutrients from the decomposing body as fertilizer for its growth. The biodegradable package, which will be made from potato and corn starches, would then be plunged into the ground and a tree of the deceased's choosing would be planted on top. Over time, the mixture of microbes and nutrients from the decaying corpse would feed the tree, effectively sprouting a new organism.

Although there are always set back with emerging ideas, one of the major issues is that not everyone is always really to give a new idea a try, especially when it's regarding the final ceremonies of a loved one. People are often deeply connected with their traditions and if burning the dead body was how their ancestors did it, they are most likely going to continue disposing of the body the traditional way. The eco-pod could also be against some religions and their practices, in fact even the law in some countries. In Italy, where the idea had taken place, laws state that coffins can only be made out of wood and tin, and must be buried in a protected, controlled, and closed area. And while laws can be can be changed, religious teachings often cannot. Although there are more advantages to this concept, Citelli and Bretzel aren't sure how much the capsules will eventually cost, but they'll likely be cheaper than a traditional burial, which typically sets a family back an average of $10,000. This includes undertaker and cemetery fees, and costs associated with the burial vault, flowers, clothing, and transportation. 

Personally, I like the idea of memorial forests a lot better than cemeteries and would much rather want to feel connected to a tree rather than a piece of stone or an urn full of ashes. The Capsula Mundi concept is still in the development phase, although we can expect to see in use quite soon!