Behind the Rising Interest in Biodegradable Urns

The climate and attitude around how we process death and celebrate life are often in this perpetually shifting paradigm. One increasing trend has been the preference of biodegradable urns over more traditional urns. Biodegradable urns are certainly not the preference of everyone, nor are they chosen more frequently, but they certainly are increasing in their popularity. So, why is there a sudden interest in biodegradable urns?

Biodegradable urns are specific urns that are made with ecologically friendly materials that are biodegradable and designed to disintegrate over a period of time into the earth. They are non toxic and environmentally-sound. They do not produce waste, and within about a year, will have dissolved completely.

There are essentially two basic types of biodegradable urns: water and ground urns. The former are designed to quickly dissolve when placed into water, while the latter take a little more time to dissolve in the earth. Families may choose one of these two options when deciding what type of farewell they wish for their loved one, whether at sea or on a lake, or buried in the ground.

Ultimately, there’s a range of reasons why biodegradable cremation urns would be the preferred choice for a family. First, there’s the type of farewell. Some individuals oppose a traditional ground burial, where they do not prefer to remain in ground permanently, but rather, want to be released into mother nature. A biodegradable urn buried in the ground is an option that allows for a burial ceremony, but does not require a cemetery or permanent burial spot. One’s remains are not tied down to one location for eternity.

Another reason for the election of a biodegradable urn for ashes is due to the preference for a water-side ceremony, without the dangers of a negative environmental impact. Burials that take place at sea or beside a body of water can have a lasting impact on the environment, by distributing hazardous materials from the urn. Since the biodegradable urns are safe and eco-friendly, the ceremony and release of the ashes comes without a feeling of guilt or responsibility at the release of the ashes.

A biodegradable urn is also a wonderful choice in the event a family elects to scatter a family members ashes, whether across one or several locations. A biodegradable tube decorated with meaningful symbols of a loved one functions as a receptacle to transport the ashes, but also to pour and scatter them from. It allows for a more dignified process then simply emptying a bag across the ground or into the wind, but without the permanence of a traditional urn that will then remain empty afterwards.

Symbolically, biodegradable urns are a beautiful way to represent the cycle of life and the notion that as one depart’s life on earth, they are cycled back into it, remaining ever-present in a new form of life.