The Benefits of a Human Ashes Tree

Conducting a human ashes tree burial is the best thing you can do with your loved one or pet's remains.  Everyone ones know that traditional burials are unfriendly to the environment.  But do you know how unfriendly it is?  Well for starters, the fluid used to embalm a dead body is some pretty deadly stuff (no pun intended).  Embalming fluids contain a chemical called formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen (causes cancer).   Each year 4.8 million gallons of this cancer-causing fluid is buried in our soil.

But how does that affect you? I mean it's buried in cemeteries where people are already dead.  The truth is that does affect you and the environment.   As the body biodegrades over time these chemicals get into the soil, which can seep into water supplies which we all use to drink, water laws and foods, and shower.  Aside from the chemicals

• metal caskets commonly used for burials do not biodegrade
• concrete burial vaults (which are often not needed) use up natural resources to manufacture
• and to give a "green appearance" most cemeteries use herbicides.

Those are some of the environmental implications of a traditional burial, but added to that is the price.  The average conventional funeral service costs $7,000 to $10,000.  And just like everything we pay for in life, it has and will increase due to inflation.

This is why most people are choosing cremation.  With a more affordable price and less impact on the planet we live it is the better option for handling remains.

For those choosing cremation, there are ways to use human ashes to grow a beautiful tree.

Are Human Ashes Toxic to Plants?

By themselves, human ashes are harmful when placed in or around plants.

To foster plant life, the cremation ashes pH level has to be lowered, and the sodium must be diluted.

Here are three companies doing just that.  Neutralizing cremation ashes and providing biodegradable urns to grow a  human ashes tree.

The Living Urn

Based in Colorado, the Living Urn is a simple take on human ashes tree that started from something we all will experience, the loss of a loved one.

The Living urn features a biodegradable urn within a handmade bamboo container.  Along with it, you will receive:

1. seedling
2. wood chips
3. a proprietary soil mix
4. and an ash neutralizing agent (this helps human ashes grow trees in a balanced environment).

Where To Plant a Living Urn?

With over 15 tree seedlings, the trees offered to you are determined by your location.

They use seedlings instead of seeds because it is easier to grow a sustainable and thriving tree from seedlings.

You can plant your Living Urn in your yard or a cremation tree cemetery.

The Living Urn Cost

The Living Urn is $119, plus $30 for your choice of tree seedling.