Mushrooms: Decomposing Humans, Nature's Way

The idea of mushrooms decomposing human bodies is an innovative and eco-friendly burial concept. With traditional burials, the body is embalmed with formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals, delaying decomposition and leading to environmental pollution. Cremation, on the other hand, consumes fuel and releases carbon emissions. As a greener alternative, mushroom burial suits and coffins utilize fungi to naturally break down human remains and detoxify toxins. The Infinity Burial Suit, for example, is crafted with mushroom spores and organic cotton, accelerating decomposition and enriching the soil. Similarly, the Living Cocoon coffin, made from fungal mycelium, reduces decomposition time from over a decade to just a few years. These mushroom-based burial methods offer a more sustainable approach to funeral practices, allowing individuals to leave a reduced environmental footprint even after death.

The Infinity Burial Suit

The suit is made of organic cotton and seeded with mushroom spores, as well as other elements that aid decomposition, such as mycelium. The mushrooms and mycelium break down the body faster and remediate toxins, turning corpses into nutrient-rich soil. This process is known as mycoremediation, where mushrooms put out enzymes that break down organic material and remediate toxins in the soil.

The suit also offers an alternative to cremation, which releases soot, carbon monoxide, and trace metals like mercury into the air, and requires a significant amount of fuel. By breaking down the body faster, the Infinity Burial Suit can help to reduce the amount of land needed for cemeteries, making it a more space-efficient option as well.

Mushrooms neutralise toxins

Mushrooms have been found to neutralise toxins in the soil and human bodies. They put out enzymes that break down organic material and remediate toxins. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the 21st-century human body contains various toxins, including BPA, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, preservatives, pesticides, and disinfectant byproducts.

The Infinity Burial Suit, designed by Jae Rhim Lee and Mike Ma, is a mushroom-based suit that claims to cleanse the body of toxins before returning it to nature. The suit is made of organic cotton and seeded with mushroom spores, which help decompose human bodies and clean toxins from them before they can reach the soil. This suit provides an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation methods, which can release pollutants into the environment.

Mushrooms are also being used to create eco-friendly coffins, such as the Living Cocoon, which is made of fungal mycelium and moss. This coffin complements natural burial by enriching the soil and reducing the time for human body decomposition from over ten years to just two to three years.

In addition to their toxin-remediating properties in the environment, mushrooms also offer health benefits when incorporated into the human diet. They are a source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevent or slow cellular damage. Studies have shown that eating a small amount of mushrooms daily may lower the risk of cancer. Mushrooms are also low in sodium and can help reduce cholesterol levels, particularly shiitake mushrooms.

Overall, mushrooms play a significant role in neutralising toxins, both in the environment and in the human body, offering innovative solutions for eco-friendly burials and contributing to improved health when included in our diets.

Green burials

Mushroom suits or coffins are an innovative solution for green burials. These suits, such as the Infinity Burial Suit, are made from organic cotton and seeded with mushroom spores and other microorganisms. The mushrooms help decompose the body, breaking down tissue and neutralizing toxins before they can leach into the soil or groundwater. This process, known as Mycoremediation, turns the body into nutrient-rich soil, nourishing the earth.

The Infinity Burial Suit was created by Jae Rhim Lee, an artist and founder of the Infinity Burial Project and Coeio. Lee's suit is designed to help people come to terms with their mortality and reduce their environmental impact after death. The mushrooms used in the suit are not rare; edible varieties like shiitake and oyster mushrooms are effective in cleaning the soil.

The Living Cocoon is another example of a mushroom coffin that aids in natural decomposition. It is grown from mycelium, the prematerial for mushrooms, and can reduce human body decomposition time from over ten years to just two to three years. This coffin is compatible with both hybrid and natural burial grounds and enriches the soil instead of polluting it.

Mushroom coffins

The idea of using mushrooms to decompose human remains may seem unusual, but it is a concept that is gaining traction as a greener alternative to traditional burial methods. Mushroom coffins are an eco-friendly innovation that harnesses the power of fungi to accelerate the decomposition process, enriching the soil and reducing the environmental footprint often associated with conventional funerals.

The mushroom coffin, also known as the "Living Cocoon," is a product of the Dutch company Loop Biotech. It is crafted from natural materials, specifically mycelium (the root structure of mushrooms), upcycled hemp fibres, and wood chips. The creation process takes approximately seven days, during which the mycelium and hemp fibres are grown together in a coffin-shaped mould until the mould is filled out. The coffin is then dried to halt the growth of the mycelium, resulting in a strong and sturdy structure capable of supporting a human body.

Benefits of Mushroom Coffins

Additionally, mushroom coffins address the issue of toxins present in the human body due to modern lifestyles. Fungi have the remarkable ability to absorb and break down tough materials and toxins, converting them into nutrients. This process not only cleanses the body of harmful substances but also enriches the soil, allowing the deceased to become a positive contributor to the natural world.

Availability and Usage

The Loop Living Cocoon™ is certified for traditional burials, natural burials, and cremations. It can be carried using integrated handles or shouldered for ease of transport. The coffin is suitable for use during a wake and can be stored indefinitely in a dry and ventilated space. The company also offers an urn model and the ForestBed, a product designed for the Dutch market, which is a tray or carrier in which the deceased is wrapped in cloth.

In conclusion, mushroom coffins provide a unique and eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial methods. By harnessing the power of fungi, these coffins accelerate decomposition, reduce environmental pollution, and allow individuals to become one with nature, leaving a positive footprint on the planet.

Natural decomposition

Advocates for natural burial argue that it is ecologically preferable to let human bodies decompose naturally. This approach reduces the environmental impact of traditional burial practices and allows for a more natural return to the earth. Natural decomposition can be facilitated by the use of mushroom burial suits or mushroom coffins, which utilize fungi to accelerate the breakdown of organic material and remediate toxins in the body and the surrounding soil.

Mushrooms produce enzymes that break down organic matter and detoxify toxins through a process called mycoremediation. This process involves binding heavy metals and other toxic substances with chelation, rendering them harmless. The Infinity Burial Suit, for example, is crafted with mushroom spores and other elements that aid in decomposition, toxin remediation, and nutrient delivery to plant roots. The suit is made from organic cotton and seeded with mushroom spores, allowing the body to be naturally decomposed while enriching the soil.

Another example is the Living Cocoon, a coffin made from fungal mycelium and moss. This coffin complements natural burial by speeding up decomposition and enriching the surrounding soil. The use of mycelium, the prematerial from which mushrooms grow, allows the coffin to reduce human body decomposition time from over a decade to just 2-3 years.

Mushroom burial suits and coffins offer a more eco-friendly and affordable alternative to traditional burial practices. They facilitate natural decomposition, reduce pollution, and create nutrient-rich soil that benefits the environment. By embracing these innovative approaches to burial, individuals can take responsibility for their environmental impact and contribute to a greener planet even after their demise.

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