Why people are rethinking traditional burials

Conventional burials and cremations have long been the default, but more people today are questioning:

• The environmental impact of embalming fluids and caskets
• The carbon emissions of cremation
• The cost and space needed for burial plots
• Whether these methods align with their personal or spiritual values
• If newer options may better reflect their beliefs about life and death

As a result, a growing number of individuals and families are turning to alternative methods that prioritize sustainability, simplicity, and long-term vision.

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1. Green burial

A green burial minimizes environmental impact by avoiding embalming chemicals and using biodegradable caskets or burial shrouds. It allows the body to decompose naturally and return to the earth.

Key features:

• No embalming or vaults
• Burial in natural or conservation cemeteries
• Biodegradable containers
• Minimal resource use

Benefits:

• Environmentally friendly
• Cost-effective
• Grounded in natural cycles and simplicity

Green burials are becoming more widely available in Europe and North America, often in dedicated "natural burial grounds."

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2. Aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis)

Aquamation, also known as water cremation or resomation, uses a gentle water-based process to break down the body.

How it works:
The body is placed in a pressurized vessel with water and alkaline chemicals. Heat and circulation dissolve tissues, leaving behind clean bone ash and sterile liquid.

Benefits:

• Uses significantly less energy than flame cremation
• No harmful emissions
• Gaining legal acceptance in many U.S. states and parts of Canada and Australia

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3. Human composting (natural organic reduction)

Human composting transforms the body into nutrient-rich soil through a controlled decomposition process.

Process:
The body is placed in a reusable vessel with wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. Over 30–45 days, microbes break it down into soil.

Benefits:

• Carbon-neutral
• Produces usable compost for conservation or memorial gardens
• Appeals to those with strong environmental ethics

Currently legal in several U.S. states, with growing interest globally.

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4. Mushroom burial suits and biodegradable pods

Innovative burial garments and pods use fungi or tree seeds to promote ecological renewal.

• Mushroom suits help decompose the body while absorbing toxins
• Tree pods encase the body beneath a young tree, becoming part of a living memorial

These options blend symbolism, sustainability, and biological integration.

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5. Cryopreservation

For those thinking beyond biology, cryopreservation offers a radically different path. After legal death, the body is preserved at ultra-low temperatures in the hope that future medical technologies could enable revival and repair.

How it works:

• After legal death is declared, a standby team begins stabilization
• Cryoprotectant fluids replace blood to prevent ice formation
• The body is vitrified (turned into a glass-like state) and stored in liquid nitrogen at –196°C

Why choose it?

• Based on the belief that future science may reverse today’s terminal conditions
• Offers long-term preservation of body and identity
• Appeals to those with a deep interest in scientific possibility

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Cryopreservation is not a form of burial or cremation — it’s a form of long-term preservation. At Tomorrow.bio, we provide medical-grade cryopreservation for those who want to preserve the chance of a second life when future medicine allows.

Learn more about our process or schedule a consultation.

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Choosing the right burial alternative

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The best option is the one that reflects your:

• Environmental concerns
• Religious or philosophical beliefs
• Family traditions
• Budget
• Long-term hopes

Talk openly with loved ones. Document your wishes. And explore options early — because making these decisions in advance can bring peace of mind.

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About Tomorrow.bio

At Tomorrow.bio, we are dedicated to advancing the science of cryopreservation with the goal of giving people and pets a second chance at life. As Europe’s leading cryopreservation provider, we focus on rapid, high-quality standby, stabilization, and storage of terminal patients — preserving them until future medical technologies may allow revival and treatment.

📧 Contact us at: hello@tomorrow.bio
🌐 Visit our website: www.tomorrow.bio
🤝 Schedule a consultation: Book a call

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