Eco-friendly funeral services are one of the biggest trends in death care right now, so it’s not too surprising to hear that new types of disposition are being developed. Even natural organic reduction is starting to be widely accepted since it is the greenest option available.
Soon there will be a few new ways to be buried that are more natural and even beneficial for the earth. Enter mushroom coffins, urns and mycelium-based burial suits. They are revolutionary options that are getting a lot of attention, but is using fungi really all it’s hyped up to be?
Eco-conscious Texas families can use this practical guide to learn how mushroom coffins, burial suits and urns work, the cost and how they compare to other eco-friendly death care services.
What Are Mushroom Coffins, Burial Suits and Urns?
Nothing gets more earth-friendly than fully biodegradable products. That’s exactly what makes mushroom coffins, burial suits and urns so appealing. All three incorporate mushrooms that aid the decomposition process.
Mushroom Coffins
Full‑body caskets are grown from mycelium and plant material.
Mushroom Burial Suits
Cloth suits seeded with mushroom spores worn on the body.
Mushroom Urns
Containers for cremains that are designed to break down and support new plant growth.
How Mushroom Coffins Work
Mushroom coffins are grown, not built. The process involves placing mycelium (fungi roots) and plant matter in a mold shaped like a traditional coffin. The mushrooms and plants then grow into a coffin form in about a week. The mushroom coffin gets dried out so that it won’t decompose until it’s put in the soil.
The family can then hold a burial using the mushroom coffin the same way you would use a traditional casket. Once in the ground the coffin reactivates in the moist soil and begins breaking down. In addition to serving as a biodegradable coffin for holding the body, it also helps naturally decompose the body.
Just keep in mind that conventional cemeteries may not allow mushroom coffins. Green cemeteries and conservation cemeteries will likely be the surest option for finding a suitable burial plot.
How Mushroom Burial Suits Work
Many people are beginning to question if a coffin is really needed at all. For natural burials in Texas, the body is often wrapped in a shroud made of cotton or linen and that’s it.
So why not use a specialized burial suit made that adds fungi? A mushroom burial suit is essentially a shroud that’s been infused with mushroom spores. The mushroom spores grow in the soil of the burial plot helping decompose the body. In the end, the soil is more nutrient-rich than before.
Mushroom burial suits have actually been around for a while. They gained attention in 2019 when actor Luke Perry was buried in a mushroom burial suit.
How Mushroom Urns Work
A third of cremated remains are buried in a wide variety of urns. Some burial urns are more eco-friendly than others, and mushroom urns are among the greenest urn options.
Like mushroom coffins, mushroom urns are grown, not manmade. They are grown in as little as seven days using hemp fibers and fungi roots. A mold is used to shape the fungi and fibers into a vessel that is large enough to hold cremated remains. Once the urn is buried, the moisture in the soil activates the fungi roots to start the decomposition process. The cremated remains eventually become a component of nutrient-rich soil.
Decomposition Timeline: How Quickly Do Mushroom Coffins, burial suits and Urns Break Down?
In suitable conditions, mushroom coffins break down much faster than a traditional hardwood casket. And decomposition is much quicker compared to a sealed traditional coffin in a concrete vault.
With mushroom coffins and urns decomposition is very quick. Mushroom urns decompose in about 45 days. The makers of mushroom coffins state that decomposition happens in 30-45 days. Traditional coffins and urns take decades to break down.
The decomposition of the body is also much faster. Using a mushroom coffin, a body will decompose in 2-3 years. In a traditional coffin it will usually take a decade or longer.
Of course, these are just estimated timelines that vary. Many factors play a role in decomposition. The Texas climate and soil can affect the exact timelines, but the goal isn’t speed but to support natural, efficient decomposition.
Something that is very unique with mushroom coffins and burial suits is how they protect the surrounding soil and groundwater. The fungi roots will turn the organic material into nutrients. It also binds to toxins from the body or breaks them down so that there are fewer contaminants.
Cost of Mushroom Options vs. Traditional Caskets vs. Natural Burial Coffins
The cost of some traditional caskets is downright startling. They can easily exceed $10,000, but even low-cost caskets are $1,500.
The simple coffins used for natural burial tend to be more cost-effective. An unfinished, plain pine casket costs $650-$1,000. Bamboo coffins are typically $800-$1,200, with wicker and rattan options being slightly more expensive.
Mushroom coffins are definitely one of the better priced options. The average price in many areas is $750-$1,500 putting it on par with other natural and biodegradable caskets.
Something else to consider is that conventional cemeteries that only allow traditional caskets will have other significant costs. Often a cement vault and headstone are required. A cement vault is around $1,500 at most cemeteries, but added reinforcement will increase the cost. A headstone and installation costs $2,500 on average.
Cremation.Green has been continuously expanding eco-friendly death care options for Texas families. We can help Texans arrange natural burials and the burial of cremains that are better for the environment. If you’re interested in using a mushroom coffin, burial suit or urn get in touch by phone, text or email.