life after death by claudia silva from mexico

“Seed” is a biodegradable case for human remains that have gone through the process of promession.

Promession consists in freezing a body to then be shattered by vibration. After this, the dust or powder remained is cleaned and the result is an organic dust, rich in minerals that can be turned into compost.

Seed is made from pressed coconut fiber, which is organic, has the capacity to absorb humidity, and is biodegradable within approximately three years. This material together with natural glue changes its physical shape to guarantee a cationic exchange to allow the roots of any tree planted above it to grow through it and absorb all the minerals a human body may have. This is the reason why Seed must be “planted” or buried near the land surface, no more than 50 cms deep.

Its size is suggested because of the quantity of organic dust that results from a body that has gone through the process of promession.

The production of Seed is very simple. The coconut fiber plate is pressed into a plate with two concave sides, one deeper than the other. The excess of material is cut and used for another seed. Tabs are left all around the shape. After the organic dust is placed inside the deeper part, the seed is folded through the middle closing the case. The seed is sealed with more coconut fiber surrounding the tabs containing the organic dust safely inside.

Using the combination of Seed and promession favors the development of green areas in big cities. If cemeteries only allowed this body treatment and case, then instead of having acres of land where trees are not able to grow correctly, there would be acres of new forests, each tree represented and nourished by our loved ones.

This proyect offers an improvement to our world throughout death. It benefits great areas of land and It also offers transformation of sensations, from being sad to being in peace. It transforms a sad, lonely place that represents death into a green place full of life.

Considering creating life after death could improve the world people are leaving behind to their loved ones -and- give death a new meaning.