Three minute read
This week, we welcomed Bob Hendrikx and his team from Loop Biotech — the designers and makers of the world’s first mushroom coffin — to Poppy’s as part of the launch of this exciting new innovation in the UK. Poppy’s clients can now choose a mushroom coffin when arranging a funeral with us.
What do you mean, ‘mushroom coffin’?
Yes, that’s right. This coffin, called the Loop Living Cocoon, is really grown from mycelium — the vegetative part of a fungus, similar to the roots of a plant — and combined with upcycled hemp fibres.
Mycelium is sometimes called ‘nature’s biggest recycler’, because it continuously transforms dead organic matter into valuable nutrients, feeding both the fungi itself and other organisms living in the soil.
So what are the benefits of a mushroom coffin?
First of all, it’s a really sustainable option if you are looking for a greener funeral choice. The coffin is made from 100% natural, renewable materials. No plastics or chemicals are involved in production.
Then, once the coffin is in ground, the natural mycelium biodegrades within 45 days, depending on the conditions, leaving the earth enriched and nature thriving. This compares to between the months or years which it takes other biodegradable coffins, such as wool or willow, to break down.
It’s also designed beautifully, with curved edges and a natural cream colour. You can choose to have the coffin lined with moss, provided by our florist Lilian, who specialises in local and seasonal flowers. And to paint the coffin yourself, if you wish, with messages, patterns or colours using biodegradable paints.
Where did the idea for a mushroom coffin come from?
Although mushroom coffins are new to the UK, they are already being used in the Netherlands, and were invented and designed by Dutch company, Loop Biotech.
The company was founded by Bob Hendrikx and Lonneke Westhoff in 2020, after Bob successfully designed the mushroom coffin during his graduation project at Technical University Delft.
We were delighted to welcome Bob to Poppy’s to explain his vision, how this innovative coffin was created, and to talk us through its journey so far.
Can you use these coffins for any type of funeral?
Yes. A mushroom coffin is an ideal choice for natural burial and meets all the requirements for natural burial grounds. It can also be used in a traditional burial ground, local authority cemetery or churchyard.
You can also choose a mushroom coffin for a cremation. With a cremation, the mycelium doesn’t have the opportunity to work in the ground as it does with a burial. But it’s still worth considering as a greener choice — the coffin itself generates less carbon emissions during production than coffins made from more traditional materials.
In addition, we supply the Earth Rise Urn from Loop Biotech, for ashes after a cremation, which is also grown from mycelium.
Is a mushroom coffin the greenest funeral choice?
We’re very excited to be one of only two funeral directors in London to offer this coffin as a sustainable option. We know this will be the right choice for some of the people we support.
But choosing a mushroom coffin is not the only way to include greener and more sustainable choices when you are planning a funeral. This blog includes some simpler low-cost ideas and questions to think about, and this one (written before the mushroom coffin was available in the UK) outlines some other eco-friendly coffin choices.
Why is Poppy’s involved in the UK launch of the mushroom coffin?
At Poppy’s, our fresh approach to funerals means that we are open to new ideas and innovations, when we think these will help our clients create a funeral which is meaningful and reflects their values and beliefs.
Working alongside companies, like Loop Biotech, who share our values of transparency and sustainability, means that together we can be a stronger voice for better, greener business. It just makes sense.
As London’s first B Corp funeral director, these values, which put people and planet first, are at the heart of who we are and everything we do.
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