Living Cocoon is the new concept for those looking to have an environmentally friendly funeral. Check out Laura Richardson’s article to find out what all the fuss is about regarding this innovation . . .

Last week, the first-ever burial using a ‘live’ coffin took place in the Netherlands.  The “Living Cocoon” was designed by 26-year-old biodesigner Bob Hendrikx to enable “people to become one with nature again,” but how eco-friendly is it claimed to be?

The Living Cocoon is made of mushroom fibres called mycelium which make up the underground part of fungi. Speaking to national media last week, Hendrikx described mycelium as “nature’s recycler” thanks to mycelium’s ability to neutralise toxins and pollutants in the earth and convert them into nutrients.  The detoxifying effect of mycelium has already been demonstrated in Chernobyl, where it has been successfully used to remove radioactive waste from the soil! Therefore by utilising mycelium, each Living Cocoon will actively improve the environment surrounding the burial site.

Furthermore, whereas an embalmed body in a traditional wooden coffin can take over ten years to decompose, this process is vastly sped up by the Living Cocoon with the coffin itself being absorbed back into the soil within 6 weeks of burial, and the contained body being fully decomposed, and enriching the surrounding soil, within two to three years.

Even the production of the Living Cocoon is claimed to be eco-friendly. To create each Living Cocoon, mycelium is mixed with a substrate that is consumed by the mycelium over the period of a single week, enabling it to grow within a special mould shaped as a coffin. Thus, incredibly, the Cocoon is formed without the need for any input of energy, heat or even light!

At just over £1100, a fraction of the cost of a traditional wooden coffin, Hendrikx hopes that his Living Cocoons will become the “new normal” and enable humankind to be able to ‘give back’ to the earth through death.

As specialists in Wills and Elder Law, we at Andrew Douglas Wills & Legal Services ensure that we remain up to date with all related wider aspects of end-of-life services so that we can continue to provide a comprehensive professional service to each and every one of our clients. Therefore, if you would like to discuss any of our services, including Will writing, Estate Management and Funeral Planning, please contact Andrew Douglas Wills & Legal Services to arrange your free no-obligation consultation.

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