In the evolving landscape of funeral practices, a groundbreaking eco-friendly option has emerged: the mushroom coffin. This innovative approach utilizes mycelium, the root structure of fungi, to create biodegradable coffins that significantly accelerate the decomposition process.
Unlike traditional wooden or metal caskets, which can take decades to break down, mushroom coffins decompose within 30 to 45 days, returning the body to the earth more naturally and enriching the soil in the process.
The introduction of mushroom coffins aligns with a growing global trend toward sustainable and personalized end-of-life choices. As individuals become more environmentally conscious, options like these offer a meaningful way to minimize ecological impact even in death.
What Is a Mushroom Coffin?
A mushroom coffin, also known as a mycelium coffin, is an eco-friendly, biodegradable burial casket made from mycelium—the root-like structure of fungi.
This innovative coffin is designed to accelerate the decomposition process of both the coffin and the body inside, allowing for a more natural return to the earth while enriching the soil.
How Does a Mushroom Coffin Work?
- Made from Mycelium
- Mycelium is a fungal filament network that acts like nature’s recycler, breaking organic material into nutrients.
- The coffin is grown, rather than manufactured, using a blend of mycelium and organic materials like hemp or sawdust.
- In about 7 days, the coffin is fully formed into its final shape and then dried to halt fungal growth until burial.
- Decomposes Quickly
- Once buried, the mycelium reactivates in the presence of moisture and microorganisms in the soil.
- The coffin decomposes within 30 to 45 days, much faster than traditional wooden caskets, which can take decades to break down.
- The body also decomposes more quickly inside a mycelium coffin, typically in two to three years, compared to 10+ years in a traditional burial.
- Enriches the Soil
- Unlike traditional burial methods, which can introduce harmful chemicals (such as embalming fluids) into the ground, a mushroom coffin purifies the soil by breaking down toxins in the body.
- The fungi release enzymes that aid in decomposition, creating nutrient-rich soil that promotes new plant growth.
Why Choose a Mushroom Coffin?
- 100% Biodegradable – No plastics, metals, or synthetic materials.
- Reduces Environmental Impact – No need for deforestation or chemical-laden embalming.
- Supports Green Burial Practices – Ideal for natural cemeteries that prohibit traditional caskets.
- Speeds Up Decomposition – The body returns to nature much faster than in a standard coffin.
- Affordable & Sustainable – It is less costly than many traditional caskets and benefits the planet.
Where Are Mushroom Coffins Available?
Mushroom coffins are currently available in select markets, including the Netherlands, the UK, and parts of the U.S. Dutch Inventor Bob Hendrikx from Loop Biotech is pioneering this technology, offering a sustainable burial alternative for those looking to minimize their final environmental footprint.
“What really frustrates me is that when I die, I’m polluting the Earth. I’m waste. The body is a walking trash bin of 219 chemicals even before factoring in the metals, wood and glue typically used in coffins.”
Bob Hendrikx – Loop
Fungi are not fussy about what they consume. Be it cardboard, plastic, jet fuel, or asbestos, fungi will devour them all. Scientists studying Chernobyl’s blighted landscape even discovered a fungus capable of “eating” radiation. So, it is no surprise that fungi have little trouble decomposing us.
Bob Hendrikx has harnessed the power of fungi by using mycelium – vast webs of fungal threads that generally live underground – as an alternative to traditional wooden coffins.
How Much Does a Mushroom Coffin Cost?
The Living Cocoon Mushroom Coffin from Loop Biotech costs $ 1700.
As the demand for eco-friendly funerals grows, mushroom coffins represent a significant step forward in green burial solutions. They provide a natural, sustainable, and regenerative way to return to the earth.
This development of a ‘living’ casket reflects a broader shift in the funeral industry, where traditional practices are being reimagined to accommodate modern values and environmental considerations.
What is a Mushroom Burial Suit?
You may have already heard of the mushroom burial suit, also known as the Infinity Burial Suit, designed by Jae Rhim Lee of company Coeio. It gained significant attention when actor Luke Perry chose it for his burial in 2019.
Perry, renowned for his Beverly Hills 90210 and Riverdale roles, had expressed his desire for an eco-friendly burial. His daughter, Sophie Perry, revealed that he was laid to rest in this biodegradable suit, highlighting his commitment to environmental sustainability.
This choice brought widespread recognition to the mushroom burial suit, emphasizing its role in promoting green burial practices. The suit is designed to facilitate natural decomposition, neutralize toxins, and enrich the surrounding soil, aligning with a growing interest in environmentally conscious end-of-life options.
How Much Does a Mushroom Burial Suit Cost?
The Infinity Burial Suit from Coeio costs $1,500.
Mushroom Burial Suit vs. Mushroom Coffin: What’s the Difference?
Both the mushroom burial suit and the mushroom coffin are eco-friendly alternatives designed to facilitate natural decomposition and reduce environmental impact. However, they differ in materials, function, and how they are used in the burial process.
1. Mushroom Burial Suit
A mushroom burial suit, also known as the Infinity Burial Suit, is a specially designed bodysuit infused with mycelium (the root structure of fungi) and other microorganisms.
How It Works:
- The body is placed in the biodegradable suit, which is embedded with mushroom spores and microorganisms.
- Once buried, the fungi activate and speed up the decomposition process, breaking down organic matter more efficiently than a natural burial alone.
- The fungi also help neutralize toxins in the body, such as heavy metals, preventing them from contaminating the soil.
- The body fully decomposes within 2 to 3 years, enriching the soil with nutrients.
Who Created It?
- Developed by Jae Rhim Lee, the Infinity Burial Suit was introduced as an alternative to traditional embalming, which can introduce harmful chemicals into the ground.
Best For:
- Individuals who prefer a natural, chemical-free burial without a coffin.
- Those choosing green burial cemeteries where traditional caskets may not be allowed.
2. Mushroom Coffin
A mushroom coffin, or mycelium coffin, is a biodegradable casket made from mycelium and organic materials like hemp or sawdust.
How It Works:
- The coffin is grown, not built, using compressed mycelium and organic matter in a mold over 7 days.
- Once buried, the coffin decomposes within 30 to 45 days, compared to traditional wooden or metal coffins, which take decades.
- The fungi continue to aid in decomposition, helping the body break down 2 to 3 times faster than in a standard burial.
- Mycelium helps purify the surrounding soil, removing toxins and enriching the ecosystem.
Who Created It?
- Designed by Loop Biotech, this eco-friendly coffin is already being used in parts of Europe and the U.S.
Best For:
- Individuals who still prefer a coffin burial but want an eco-friendly alternative to traditional caskets.
- People choosing green burial cemeteries where biodegradable caskets are required.
Key Differences Between the Mushroom Burial Suit and Mushroom Coffin
| Feature | Mushroom Burial Suit | Mushroom Coffin |
| Material | Fabric infused with mycelium | Compressed mycelium and organic matter |
| Decomposition Time | 2-3 years (body) | 30-45 days (coffin), 2-3 years (body) |
| Function | Aids natural body decomposition | Provides a biodegradable burial container |
| Environmental Benefit | Absorbs toxins, enriches soil | Purifies soil, enriches ecosystem |
| Best For | Green burials without a coffin | Green burials with a coffin |
| Availability | Limited, offered by Coeio (Infinity Suit) | Available in select markets from Loop Biotech |
Which Mushroom Burial Option Is Right for You?
- Choose a mushroom burial suit if you want a completely natural burial without a casket.
- Choose a mushroom coffin if you prefer a biodegradable coffin option for a more traditional burial experience.
Mushroom Cremation Urn – The Ultimate ‘Living’ Biodegradable Urn
Loop Biotech (based in the Netherlands) specializes in meeting the demand for sustainable death care products. It also offers Loop Earthrise, a mycelium cremation urn that is the ultimate living urn.
The urn can be kept as an ornament at home, with the option of having a lid with a cavity to add a seedling or plant, or it can be buried for a return-to-nature burial of a loved one’s cremation ashes. If buried, it degrades in just 45 days.
These biodegradable mushroom options represent a new era in eco-funerals, allowing individuals to leave a minimal ecological footprint while returning naturally to the earth.
