Australia has recorded its first burial in a Living Cocoon after a Sydney family chose the option to farewell a loved one in a way they felt matched her life and values.
Carolyn, 70, was laid to rest at Springwood Cemetry in the Blue Mountains last Friday. Her family selected a Loop Living Cocoon as they said goodbye, wanting to honour her in a manner that reflected her connection to nature and felt right.
Her husband Donald said the choice was fitting because of the kind of person she was.
“It feels very true to who she was that even after her death, she can still do something for others while giving something back to nature,” he said.
The coffin was grown in the Netherlands from mycelium, the underground root network of mushrooms, and hemp fibres. After burial, the material becomes part of the soil and nourishes nature.
The Living Cocoon was created by Bob Hendrikx during a graduation project at Delft University of Technology and is now used in more than 12 countries. Under the right conditions, the coffins can be grown in seven days from mycelium and up-cycled hemp fibres and become part of the soil in about 45 days.
Mr Hendrikx said the idea came from looking at what nature already does best.
“We asked a simple question: why manufacture everything if some products can be grown?” he said.
“Mycelium allows us to create something useful using nature’s own intelligence — and then, when its purpose is complete, allow it to return to the earth.”
Grace Funerals director Asha Dooley said interest in environmentally conscious funerals had grown noticeably in recent years.
“Five years ago, very few families were asking these questions,” she said.
“Today we’re regularly speaking with people who want a farewell that reflects how someone lived their life.
“Families are looking for options that are personal, meaningful and environmentally responsible.”
