When we think of eco-friendly funerals, our minds often jump to biodegradable coffins or planting a tree at a loved one's grave. 

While these are popular and great for the environment, there are many more unique and sustainable ways to honour the departed. Let's stroll through some intriguing options, their origin, and whether they are still practised today.

Viking Burials: A Nod to Norse Traditions
Viking burials are among the most iconic and dramatic eco-friendly funerals. Picture a Viking warrior laid to rest on a boat, set ablaze, and sent adrift. This ancient Norse practice symbolised the journey to the afterlife and the body's return to the natural elements.

Nowadays, full Viking burials are pretty rare due to legal and environmental restrictions. However, some modern twists include Viking-themed cremations or scattering ashes at sea. For those wanting a memorable send-off, you can even find companies offering Viking-inspired funerals with biodegradable boats and eco-safe practices.

Mushroom Burial Suits: Returning to Nature
A more recent and innovative option is the mushroom burial suit, courtesy of the Infinity Burial Project. These suits are made from organic cotton and infused with mushroom spores. As the body decomposes, the mushrooms help break down toxins and enrich the soil, promoting new plant growth. This method is becoming quite popular for its direct approach to returning nutrients to the earth. It's an elegant and efficient way to ensure that one's passing contributes positively to the ecosystem.

Natural Burial Grounds: Preserving Nature
Natural burial grounds, or green cemeteries, are dedicated spaces where bodies are buried without embalming fluids or traditional coffins. Instead, biodegradable materials like wicker, bamboo, or simple shrouds are used. These sites often resemble nature reserves more than conventional cemeteries, with native plants and wildlife encouraged to thrive.

These grounds have roots in ancient practices and are making a comeback as people become more eco-conscious. By choosing a natural burial, individuals can ensure their final resting place helps preserve the landscape and promote biodiversity.

Aquamation: A Gentle Alternative
Aquamation, or water cremation, is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation. It uses a process called alkaline hydrolysis, where the body is broken down using water and potassium hydroxide. This method uses significantly less energy than flame-based cremation and doesn't produce harmful emissions.

While aquamation is relatively new and not yet widely available everywhere, it's gaining traction where legal. It offers a gentle, sustainable way to return the body to the environment.

Promession: The Freeze-Drying Funeral
Promession, developed in Sweden, is a unique method of freeze-drying the body. The process involves freezing the body with liquid nitrogen, making it extremely brittle. The body is then vibrated until it turns into a powder, which can be buried in a biodegradable container.
If these methods are not unique enough for you, here are a few more that take keeping your loved ones close to another level.

Get a Tattoo
Getting a tattoo in memory of someone who has passed has become very popular, and there are tattoo studios that take the idea one step further. Now, you can get body ink that actually contains some of your loved one's ashes. Tattoo artists will mix a portion of the cremation ashes with ink to create a unique memorial tattoo, permanently keeping someone close to you in a profoundly personal way.

Turn Them into Jewellery
Memorial jewellery can be a wonderful way to feel close to a loved one. Whether you choose a necklace, bracelet, or ring, you only need a tiny amount of your loved one's ashes to create a beautiful keepsake. This option allows you to carry a piece of them with you wherever you go, offering a tangible connection and a comforting reminder of their presence.

Bury Them in Your Garden
Choosing to bury your loved one's ashes at home in your garden can be very personal and a great option if you want to keep them close by. If you are the landowner, you can create a special spot to remember them. Just keep in mind that if you sell your home one day, the new owner may not allow you to visit the spot. It's a beautiful way to create a lasting tribute while staying connected to your loved one. It's in the early stages of adoption, but it presents an interesting alternative for those seeking a low-impact funeral option.

Eco-friendly funerals are evolving, offering a variety of unique and sustainable ways to honour our loved ones.

By exploring these alternatives, we can choose a path that reflects our values and helps preserve the environment for future generations.