This is a topic at the heart of the news. A few days ago, November 1st to be precise, we celebrated All Saints' Day, the feast of our deceased. A special occasion during which the French paid tribute to their deceased loved ones by mainly decorating the graves with magnificent commemorative plaques or bouquets. Although death is often a taboo subject, it must nevertheless be thought about. Hundreds of French people go to funeral homes every day to discover burial possibilities. Across France, the alternatives are not as varied as those offered by our European neighbors.
Usually the choices falter between burial and cremation. Many of us therefore take the time to select the material, color, ornaments, and dimensions of the coffin or urn depending on the planned burial or cremation. These decisions, although sometimes difficult to make, are often guided by emotional and cultural considerations. But these two rites are not the only ones that exist. Recently, a new burial trend has emerged, and could well become a next option offered in France. The latter invites you to become a tree. Explanations.
What is this new burial trend all about?
The idea may seem crazy. However, it is indeed real. In fact, for some time now, a company has been offering to transform you into a tree when you die. This trend is not new since it has existed since the 1990s on the other side of the Channel. But the latter is barely arriving in France via the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. The name of this project? There Bios urn.
“The aim of this urn is to offer a lasting alternative to remember those who have passed away, in a natural and contemporary way”explains the company on its site. In addition to the return to nature, the latter sells this burial alternative at a lower cost compared to other possibilities available in France. Count $145 (i.e. a little over €120) to take advantage of this natural and ecological option. Two Italians have also imagined their own variation on this concept. The company is called Capsula Mundi.
How is this new burial arriving in France carried out?
In both cases, the principle of this new burial remains the same. Instead of choosing a coffin, you select a biodegradable urn that meets your expectations. But be careful, the latter is not intended to be burned as during cremation. In fact, this urn marketed by the Italian company actually becomes a “pot”. This will be planted in the ground with a seed until the latter grows and becomes a tree. The body of the deceased is placed in the fetal position in an egg-shaped pod.
For the Bios Urn, the principle is slightly different because it is the ashes of the deceased person which will be poured into this large urn. The latter is covered with soil and a seed is then planted as for the first option. The walls of the urn are filled with water. You will see, over the years, the tree will start to grow. What makes this very special urn special is where it can be planted. After having previously requested approval from the town hall of the municipality of birth of the deceased, you have the possibility of placing this tree in a private space such as the garden of your home.
Why is this new burial considered the future of funerals in France?
In the future, the companies leading this type of project would like these ballot boxes to become somewhat of the norm. “Currently, to make a coffin, a tree must be cut down. However, the coffin has a very short life cycle and a strong environmental impact. It's necessary between 10 to 40 years old for a tree to reach maturity, while the coffin only serves a few days! We want to plant trees instead of cutting them down. “, specifies the Italian company Capsula Mundi.
photo credit: Shutterstock
Tree in a cemetery
In the meantime, other alternatives are also available. To improve your ecological footprint, you can also opt for a cardboard coffin.
