Think Forests Not Cemeteries: Your Dead Loved Ones Can Now Be Turned into Trees

A company out of Italy has come up with an eco-friendly alternative to coffins.

Conceived by designers Anna Citelli and Raoul Bretzel, The Capsula Mundi project has created an organic and biodegradable burial capsule that will turn the deceased’s body into nutrients for a tree that will grow out of their remains. 

Like we said, think forests not cemeteries.

Basically, the deceased’s body is encapsulated in the fetal position in a burial pod (we know, it’s a creepy image – but so is being stuck in a box forever) and is put in the ground, then either a tree or a seed is planted above their capsule. Each client gets to choose his or her tree of choice.

Although a good idea in theory, the Italian law currently forbids burials such as these.

There are already a variety of trees to choose from at the site of the project. The idea – should the laws change – would be to create entire memorial parks and forests full of trees instead of a cemetery full of tombstones.

Not only do you get to see your loved ones transformed into another living thing, you’re also helping the environment two fold – both by planting a tree and by saving those usually destroyed in the making of traditional coffins. 


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