What Are Tree Pod Burials?
With a tree pod burial, human cremated remains and additional materials are wrapped in an organic fiber pod, placed in a biodegradable polymer urn, and planted beneath a young tree. The extra materials are added to counter the high pH value of the cremains that would be very harmful to the tree.
Once buried, the remains and pod decompose, releasing nutrients into the Earth where a tree will one day grow. The goal is that released nutrients and microbes support healthy soil for plant and tree growth.
There are two types of pod burials to know:
- Cremation pods: Use cremated ashes.
- Whole body pods: Use intact remains that will decompose over time. (not available anywhere)
Body pods are the most talked-about pod burial, but they’re still under development at companies such as Capsula Mundi. There is currently no available release date.
Cremation pods are a natural burial choice you can purchase for yourself or your loved ones all across the USA. However, there is still a negative environmental impact since the cremation process has a hefty carbon footprint.
Tree Burial Pros And Cons
Tree pod burials are supposed to provide a nutrient benefit to plants and offset some of the harm traditional burials cause the environment. While tree pod burials are better than treated caskets, they’re far from the greatest green burial choice.
How Much Does A Tree Pod Burial Cost?
Cremation pods are affordable, often costing less than $200 — similar to other urn prices. However, don’t forget to factor in the cremation cost and the cost of your preferred tree. All in, expect to pay around $2,500 for a cremation and burial pod.
Pod Burial Locations
You can bury your biodegradable urn on private property, natural burial sites, traditional burial grounds, or even some public parks.
- Private property for your pod burial is one of the easiest choices. You don’t need to pay for the plot — your loved one is always nearby, and you can choose to memorialize the space however you like — plaques, flowers, or other grave markers. However, you may lose access to the burial place if the property is sold.
- Traditional burial sites are easy to find, and they’re protected properties that won’t be built over. It’s a great opportunity to bury your loved ones near other family and friends, but not all cemeteries will support burial pods or planted trees.
- Natural sites are a great choice for a true green burial. Different tiers of natural sites may have restrictions on inorganic markers, body treatments, and land management to reduce the effects of burial treatments. Natural plots have prices similar to those of other cemeteries but can be harder to find.
- Public parks, including city, state, and national parks, may also welcome your tree pod burial. These sites are easy to access and may have sentimental ties, like a family vacation or a favorite afternoon walking trail. Many parks are open to volunteers planting trees or native gardens, but you’ll need to contact your park department to learn more.
Green Burial Alternatives
Tree pods are far from your only sustainable burial option, and they’re far less eco-friendly than some of these other choices.
- Human composting: The body is placed with organic materials like wood chips, heated, and stored for 30+ days to break down the body. It uses ⅛ the energy that cremation uses.
- Water cremation: A cremation alternative that uses chemicals to cremate the body, with a 90% energy savings over fire cremation.
- Natural burials: Burial of an unembalmed body in an untreated casket or shroud at a natural site.
While green burials are increasingly popular, these alternatives aren’t available everywhere. Water cremation and human composting are only available in select states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, tree pod burials are legal in the U.S. However, there are different rules and requirements for green burials by state, such as using public vs. private property and the depth at which bodies may be buried.
Almost any type of tree is acceptable for burial pods, but it’s helpful to research trees that best grow in your area and region.
The most commonly used tree memorials in the U.S. are:
- Red Maple
- Weeping Willow
- Oak Trees
Human composting is the most environmentally friendly way to bury someone. That said, any type of “green burial,” such as tree pod burials, that uses biodegradable burial vessels and allows the body to naturally decompose without embalming, is a much more sustainable option than traditional burials and cremations.
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- Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 19 years of experience
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Jeff Root is a nationally licensed life insurance expert with over 19 years of experience. He has personally helped over 3000 clients with their life insurance needs. Jeff is a best-selling Amazon author and the managing partner of a highly successful insurance brokerage that manages over 2,500 licensed insurance agents across the USA. He has been a featured life insurance source for prestigious websites such as Forbes, Bloomberg, MarketWatch, Nerdwallet, and many more.
- Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 14 years of experience
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David Duford is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over 14 years of experience. He has personally helped more than 15,000 clients buy life insurance. David has been featured as an expert source for highly authoritative publications such as A.M. Best and Insurancenewsnet. He also runs one of the largest Youtube channels to help aspiring insurance agents serve their clients better.
- Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 19 years of experience
- Best selling Amazon author.
Jeff Root is a nationally licensed life insurance expert with over 19 years of experience. He has personally helped over 3000 clients with their life insurance needs. Jeff is a best-selling Amazon author and the managing partner of a highly successful insurance brokerage that manages over 2,500 licensed insurance agents across the USA. He has been a featured life insurance source for prestigious websites such as Forbes, Bloomberg, MarketWatch, Nerdwallet, and many more.
- Nationally licensed life insurance agent with over 14 years of experience
- Best selling Amazon author of five insurance sales books.
David Duford is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over 14 years of experience. He has personally helped more than 15,000 clients buy life insurance. David has been featured as an expert source for highly authoritative publications such as A.M. Best and Insurancenewsnet. He also runs one of the largest Youtube channels to help aspiring insurance agents serve their clients better.
Choice Mutual often cites third-party websites to provide context and verification for specific claims made in our work. We only link to authoritative websites that provide accurate information. You can learn more about our editorial standards, which guide our mission of delivering factual and impartial content.
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Capsula Mundi. https://www.capsulamundi.it/en/
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Human compost. https://www.us-funerals.com/human-composting-as-a-new-death-care-alternative-a-guide-to-nor/
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90% energy savings. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/4/1457
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requirements for green burials by state. https://www.us-funerals.com/green-burial-directory/#.ZBon6uzML0s
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costing less than $200. https://inthelighturns.com/cremation-urns-for-ashes/biodegradable.html?srsltid=AfmBOorhQFwpZPUIgwEIbJA7ZJou5zZCO1Dy2WoKlsZlWQRo6D5UzqtJ
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cost of your preferred tree. https://homeguide.com/costs/cost-to-plant-a-tree
