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Jill Fehrenbacher

BIOS URN: Recycling Life

by Jill Fehrenbacher, 07/28/05
filed under: Botanical

Some things in our society are completely over-designed (how many handbags does one person need?) Other things are so solemn that design is rarely, if ever, considered. Rituals surrounding death fall into the latter category.

Although it happens to everyone at some point, there is not a wide variety of choices out there when it comes down to dealing with human remains. That’s why the Bios Urn is such a thoughtful idea.

Designed by the Azuamoline duo, (Martin Ruiz de Azua and Gerard Molin?) the Bios Urn is a container for cremated ashes, made from compacted coconut shells, organic fertilizer and tree seedlings. As the container biodegrades, a seed will sprout, recycling you or your loved one back into the circle of life.


According to designer Azua:

Death always comes and somehow it has to be designed. The actual ritual is old-fashioned and also increases space problems in large cities.

In theory, the Bios Urn would allow graveyards to be turned back into forest over time.
Unfortunately, this design is still just a concept and not out on the market yet, as far as I can tell. Hopefully crematoriums and funeral parlors will make this option available in the near future.

Via Product Dose

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5 Responses to “BIOS URN: Recycling Life”

  1. Eric L Stockard Eric L Stockard says:

    Awsome! I always said that when I died I wanted my remains to be planted as a tree to continue to live! I’m glad this concept has been extended in design to sustainability, something I love in life.

  2. Peggy Dolan Peggy Dolan says:

    This is fantastic. I would like to be informed when it hits the market and I will be happy to spread the word to all I know. Nice to see thoughtful design.

  3. Amy Amy says:

    This is a great idea, it would let environmentally aware people die as they lived – trying to preserve our earth.

  4. katie hagar katie hagar says:

    This is such an incredible idea/design! And, it’s about time. I’m hoping it goes past the concept phase into production so people have a reasonable and responsible choice. I’m all for it. A+.

  5. Brown Brown says:

    I’d probably forget to water it and then feel guilty when Grandpa Joe’s rebirth re-dies.

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