With new emotional, cultural, and environmental needs, there is an increasing interest in creating new burial options for people. Some of the new options include highly personalized caskets and eco-friendly caskets. In previous blogs, we have discussed ways that caskets can be personalized in meaningful ways to the deceased person. We have also discussed different burial options that are eco-friendly, such as using shrouds or woven caskets. There are two new up-and-coming ideas that are just starting to take off in the funeral industry: do-it-yourself (DIY) caskets and mushroom suits. While these ideas are fairly new and somewhat unknown in the funeral industry, they are starting to gain more popularity and presence.
DIY Caskets
The idea of building your own casket or building one for a loved one is not a new idea by any means. People who are particularly skilled craftsman often build caskets for themselves or loved ones to add more meaning to the burial. These are often beautiful and highly ornate caskets that are worth more to the family than any other burial option. However, those who have the skills and equipment to do this are becoming few and far between, and as a result of this, DIY caskets were nearly disappearing from the funeral industry. Groups and companies have sought to bring back the practice of building personalized caskets as they introduce casket or coffin clubs.
These clubs are designed to create a safe space for members to gather and discuss the idea of death while designing and building their very own caskets. The clubs have most popularity in New Zealand, but they are slowly beginning to be introduced around the world. Many people join these clubs for the social appeal and to make new friends. Many of those who are members in the clubs are not necessarily dying, but they understand the fragility of life, and as a result, want to embrace the idea of death. Those people in casket clubs can design, build, and decorate their caskets in any way that they want. Some people have chosen to have their casket shaped and painted to look like a telephone box. Others choose to paint places they have traveled to around the world on their caskets. The people who make their own caskets use and develop new skills, make friends, and save a considerable amount of money. DIY caskets save people thousands of dollars, so not only are the DIY caskets, fun, personalized, and meaningful, but they also are a better option financially. Furthermore, the clubs have also begun making caskets for hospitals and other organizations in need, contributing to and serving their communities in meaningful ways.
Mushroom Burial Suit
The idea of a mushroom burial suit has gained popularity after actor Luke Perry was buried in one, but many people still do not understand what it is and how it is used. The mushroom burial suit was designed by Jae Rhim Lee to be an eco-friendly burial option and is now manufactured by Coeio. They are body suits made up of organic cotton and mushroom mycelium, or mushroom spores. The mushroom spores act to effectively decompose the body while nourishing the ground around it. They also act as a cleaning system, and while the body is decomposing, the mushroom spores clean toxins in it that have the potential to harm the environment. In other words, the suit acts like a filter for the decomposition, of which it can filter out the parts that may be toxic to the environment and promote the nourishment of those parts that may be good.
The mushroom burial suit is perfect for those who are seeking out environmentally friendly options. Not only is the suit kind to the environment, it actually does good as it nourishes the ground around the decomposing body. What is more, the suit is also extremely cost effective. The mushroom suit only costs $1,500 and can be shipped anywhere in the United States for free. Most caskets cost anywhere from $2,000 to $9,000, so the mushroom burial suit is a great option for those who are wishing to save money while also saving the environment.
There are more burial options now than ever before. As people try to create ways to challenge the stereotypes surrounding death and the funeral industry, they are also revolutionizing the burial options that are afforded to people. People now have safe spaces to build their own caskets, explore and develop skills, make friends, and save thousands of dollars. DIY caskets offer a burial option to people that is more meaningful and personalized than other burial options. Furthermore, there are also burial options that help the environment. Mushroom burial suits are a great option for those who are looking to save money while saving the environment. The suits add meaning to death as they help the environment, just as DIY caskets can add meaning to death by helping those who build them.
Blog Resources
https://earther.gizmodo.com/algae-raincoats-mushroom-caskets-new-exhibit-asks-us-1834677797
https://clark.com/family-lifestyle/mushroom-burial-suit-cost/