sustainable death by junghwan lee from korea
designer's own words:
In every country, we have serious problem about funeral. Inhumation is widely spread. Inhumation causes numbers of harms - ecological problem, lack of land. Cremation is the best way to live (also die) in sustainability. Even in Japan where cremation is already common thing, people want to make their own grave. So we need public cemetery. Another issue is NIMBY syndrome. People want to hold memorial service not in far from home, but they don't want to hold it "in their back yard". This theme is very Interdisciplinary. It might contain a lot of research just like followings. Perspective of death, relationship between ancestor and descendant, and finally social value. How can we move them to the "cremation"? It must look intelligent.
Through Inquiry, writer could find latent and basic needs of people. They have two kinds of eagerness. One is for the present world, and the other one is for the life after death. In this world, they want to be loved and remembered forever. Also they want to transport to the other space very safely. In this point of view, there seems to be two key factors in this theme, which are REMAIN in this world and GATEWAY to the other space. In these two factors, we can found margin to improve. Writer suggests new system of cremation in this thesis. Diamonds and Bricks as remains, and Dome and Walls as cemetery.
Diamond and its Glass Case: Dead body can be a handful of diamond because both ashes and diamond are made of carbon. It’s valuable, precious, pure, permanent and clear. It’s a symbol of eagerness of people for the both of life. Small touch can make diffusion of glittering lights. This interaction reminds the memory of loved one. 
Dome Ceiling containing Diamond Cases : Thousands of glass cases contained inside of roofs. Sunlight refracts through diamonds and glasses, and it make mood of heaven. [jwplayer config=”mplayer” width=”818px” height=”600px” file=”https://static.designboom.com/wp-content/compsub/118809/2013-04-17/video_1_1366240557_1ae0876774acc826e3268fa43dcf2596.mp4″ html5_file=”https://static.designboom.com/wp-content/compsub/118809/2013-04-17/video_1_1366240557_1ae0876774acc826e3268fa43dcf2596.mp4″ download_file=”https://static.designboom.com/wp-content/compsub/118809/2013-04-17/video_1_1366240557_1ae0876774acc826e3268fa43dcf2596.mp4″]video
Bricks: Ash is result of decomposition. Ash mixed brick means reconstruction of the deconstructed. Mud or polymer can be mixed with ashes.
Garden of Walls for Bricks: Bricks are contained in holes of walls. People can have private ritual between the walls.