The Capsula Mundi Project (Capsule World Project) designed by Anna Citelli and Raoul Bretzel of Milan, Italy, has created a new perspective for people across the world on the topic of cemeteries. Instead of being embalmed and injected full of chemicals before being placed into a wooden box, The Capsula Mundi Project introduces the idea of putting our loved ones to rest in a different, more environment friendly way.
First, the tree is selected by the family members and loved ones of the living person. Once deceased, the body is then put into the fetal position, and surrounded in a starch plastic material (100% biodegradeable) in the shape of an egg. The “Capsula Mundi”, or organic burial pod, is then planted like a seed in the soil, with a tree or tree seed planted on top of it. Citelli and Bretzel explain that after a tree seed or tree has been planted, “Relatives and friends look after it when death of the person occurs.”
Once this project goes into full effect, instead of cemeteries, there would be sacred forests as a replacement. Instead of chopping down trees to create coffins, the Capsula Mundi Project would make way for a cleaner, greener earth. Unfortunately, this project is merely a concept, because Italian law forbids these types of burials. However, now that is has made global news and attracted quite the crowd, the project doesn’t seem so farfetched or unrealistic after all.
How the process works:
