Clean Burials: New Mushroom Suit Removes Body Toxins

If you have ever wondered about the impact your body will have on the environment when you are gone, you are not alone. Traditional burial and cremation both present significant environmental challenges.

When traditional burial is used, embalming fluid–typically a formaldehyde cocktail–is injected into the body to delay decomposition. While these chemicals achieve the desired effect (preserving the body, particularly for viewing by family and friends), they remain in the body after burial and may seep into the soil.

Cremation, on the other hand, comes with its own set of environmental concerns. The non-profit Funeral Consumers Alliance of Southern California reports that “an average of 28 gallons of fuel” is used in a typical cremation, releasing “approximately 540 pounds of carbon dioxide.”

Recognizing the lack of eco-friendly options, two designers created the Infinity Burial Suit and related products. The handcrafted suit is made from infinity mushrooms – I kid you not – and was designed to quickly decompose body tissue and excretions, as well as industrial toxins. The company which sells the suit suggests that “[t]he cultivation process promotes acceptance of and a personal engagement with death and decomposition.”

While it can be difficult to think about death and the decomposition of our bodies, the fact is that we will all die. Once we come to terms with this, we can become proactive in arranging things our way. Accepting death allows us to plan our own funeral/burial and leave a legacy of love for our family after we’re gone.

Whether you choose to be buried in a suit made of mushrooms is not the point. The point is that if you face and plan for the reality of death it will actually make your life better now. You will get to decide what’s important to you rather than leaving that burden to someone else. You will also experience peace of mind and relief knowing you have taken the steps to make things as easy as possible for those you love most. You see, estate planning is a combined gift of life for yourself and a lifetime gift of love for your family. How great is that?

Dedicated to your family’s health, wealth, and happiness,