AWARD YEAR
2023
CATEGORY
Body
GOALS
Responsible Consumption & Production, Life On Land
KEYWORDS
design for death, death design, burials, biodegradable, coffins
COUNTRY
United States of America
DESIGNED BY
Carrie Shipton
WEBSITE
https://www.carriemerriam.com/reside-burials-thesis
Reside Burials
Reclaiming our rights to a natural resting place
How does it work?
Reside Burials is a Baltimore-based organisation focused on advocating for the strategic use of graveyards and burial grounds as buffer zones in the effort to mitigate damage caused by agricultural runoff into waterways and providing immediate ecologically sound burial solutions to residents of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
The outer shell of the coffins is made of locally sourced conifer needles with a bio-binder. A moveable cap gives the family the option to be a part of death-care rituals and all 'hardware' is biodegradable
Why is it needed?
Cemeteries are often maintained in a way that prevents native plant growth and promotes lawns and impervious surfaces.
How does it improve life?
There's a growing awareness of the downsides and polluting side effects of traditional burials and cremation. Reside Burials offers a sustainable alternative that helps foster biodiversity and forestation.