When a family starts funeral planning, the questions often arrive in waves. Some are logistical—who calls whom, what happens first, what paperwork is required. Others are emotional—how do we honor a person in a way that feels true, not performative, not rushed. And in recent years, another question has started to show up more often: can a final goodbye be gentler on the earth, without feeling cold or clinical?
That question is part of a broader shift in how Americans think about end-of-life choices. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025, with burial at 31.6%. The Cremation Association of North America likewise reports a 2024 U.S. cremation rate of 61.8%. As families weigh what feels right—tradition, budget, faith, environmental values, simplicity—new options keep entering the conversation.
One of the most discussed innovations is the mushroom coffin, also called a mycelium casket or biodegradable coffin. In this guide, we’ll use the Loop Living Cocoon from Loop Biotech as a primary example, then compare other U.S. paths for a mycelium coffin USA search. Along the way, we’ll talk plainly about what “biodegradable” really means, whether these products work for burial or cremation, what funeral homes need to handle them safely, and how to think about total cost and availability without pressure.
What “Mycelium Casket” Actually Means
Mycelium is the root-like network of fungi—the dense, threadlike structure that helps mushrooms grow. In practical terms, mycelium can be “grown” into shapes using a mold, fed with plant-based material, and dried so it becomes stable for handling and transport. That’s the core idea behind a mycelium casket: instead of manufacturing a coffin from metal or hardwood, the vessel is cultivated from biological material and designed to return to the earth.
If you’ve seen photos of a mycelium casket and thought it looks soft or textured, that’s not your imagination. Many mycelium products have an organic surface because they are literally the result of growth, not machining. This is also why families who care about environmental impact often describe a green burial casket like this as emotionally fitting: it looks and feels like it belongs to nature, not like an object that will resist nature.
Still, it helps to be precise about the language. “Eco-friendly” can be a spectrum. Some “green” products reduce toxic finishes; others reduce carbon footprint; others are optimized for rapid biodegradation. When you see labels like eco friendly casket, biodegradable coffin, or natural burial products, the real question is what materials are used, how they’re finished, and what happens after burial in actual soil conditions.
The Loop Living Cocoon as a Real-World Example
The Loop Living Cocoon has become the best-known example of a modern mushroom coffin. Loop describes the Cocoon as grown in about seven days from mycelium and upcycled hemp fibers. In the U.S., it is offered through distributors and retailers such as Passages International and Titan Casket.
For families, what matters is less the marketing language and more the practical facts: how it handles, how it stores, whether it’s accepted by funeral homes and cemeteries, and what it costs. Titan lists key specifications that answer many of the questions families are afraid to ask out loud. The Cocoon is listed at a weight of about 66 pounds, with a capacity up to 440 pounds, and it includes six integrated jute handles designed for carrying by pallbearers. It is also described as water-resistant and designed to biodegrade in about 45 days once placed in soil. Passages lists similar details and includes interior and exterior dimensions that can help funeral homes plan transportation and handling. Loop’s own product FAQ also notes that the Cocoon can be stored indefinitely if kept dry and ventilated above ground, and that biodegradation begins when it is placed in soil.
Families sometimes ask, quietly, whether a mycelium casket is “strong enough” or “real enough.” The better question is whether it is appropriate for your intended setting. The Cocoon is marketed as suitable for natural burial and traditional burial, and Loop states it is certified for those contexts and for cremation as well. That doesn’t mean every cemetery or crematory will be equally familiar with it, but it does mean the product is designed with conventional handling realities in mind—transport, weight-bearing needs, and the realities of a funeral day that cannot be improvised.
What “Biodegradable” Really Means in a Cemetery
In grief, it’s normal to want certainty. People hear “biodegradable” and imagine a clean, predictable timeline. But nature is not a laboratory, and decomposition is not one-size-fits-all. Even with a biodegradable coffin, the timing depends on moisture, soil type, temperature, and burial depth. Some soils are active and rich; others are compacted, dry, or clay-heavy. Those conditions change what “fast” looks like.
Loop and its U.S. sellers commonly describe the Cocoon as biodegrading in about 45 days in soil. That is best understood as the casket material returning to the earth, not the body inside becoming “gone” in the same timeframe. A widely cited point about mycelium caskets is that fungi can support decomposition of organic matter; for example, reporting on Loop’s first North American use noted the company’s claim that the body’s decomposition may be accelerated compared with conventional caskets. Even if you never focus on timelines, the underlying goal is simple: a vessel that does not linger for decades, and a burial approach that does not require concrete vaults or sealed, non-biodegradable barriers.
This is where green burial principles matter. The Green Burial Council defines green burial as prioritizing a return to the earth, forgoing toxic embalming, and using biodegradable materials. In practice, a mycelium casket is usually most “itself” when paired with a natural burial approach—no vault, minimal synthetic materials, and a cemetery that supports those practices. If a cemetery requires a vault, that requirement can undermine the environmental intent of a biodegradable vessel, even if the casket itself is truly natural.
Burial vs. Cremation: Compatibility and Reality
A common point of confusion is whether a mushroom coffin is only for green burial. Some families want natural burial. Others are considering cremation but still want a biodegradable container for a viewing, a home farewell, or a ceremony before cremation. Loop states the Loop Living Cocoon is certified for natural burial, traditional burial, and cremation. Titan and Passages similarly describe it as suitable for burial and cremation contexts.
In real-world funeral planning, there is an important distinction between “the product can be used for cremation” and “your local crematory will accept it without any questions.” If you are considering cremation, ask your funeral home or crematory two simple questions early: whether they will accept a mycelium casket as-is, and whether any additional container requirements apply. This is not an argument against the option; it’s a way of preventing a stressful last-minute pivot.
If you are choosing burial, cemetery requirements matter even more. A natural burial ground may welcome a mycelium casket as aligned with its rules. A conventional cemetery might accept it, but still require a vault or liner. In that case, the decision becomes personal: do you want the material to be biodegradable even if a vault limits environmental impact, or do you want to pursue a cemetery that supports a full green burial practice?
Handling, Sizing, and What Funeral Homes Need to Know
Families sometimes worry that choosing a newer product will create burden for the people helping them. In most cases, a well-designed mycelium casket is built with professional handling in mind. Titan’s published specifications for the Cocoon include size measurements, weight, and a 440-pound capacity, and it describes integrated jute handles. Passages provides interior and exterior dimensions and notes water-resistant properties. Loop notes that the Cocoon can be carried using integrated handles and stored indefinitely if kept dry and ventilated above ground.
Those details matter because funeral professionals think in practical terms: Can the casket be safely lifted by pallbearers? Can it be moved through doorways? Can it be placed on a bier or lowered safely? Will it tolerate normal refrigeration or a rainy graveside service? You do not need to become an expert in funeral logistics. You simply need to bring the right information into the conversation early enough that professionals can plan smoothly.
If a viewing is planned, talk with the funeral home about body care options that align with your goals. Green burial often avoids traditional embalming, but many families still want a time for loved ones to gather, see the person, and say goodbye. Cooling and other respectful care methods can sometimes support this, depending on timing, local regulations, and the funeral home’s capabilities. The most important point is that you are allowed to ask. The best funeral homes are used to families arriving with values, questions, and a desire to do things thoughtfully.
Other Mycelium Options You May See in the U.S.
Loop Living Cocoon Through U.S. Sellers
When people search buy mushroom casket or living cocoon price, they are often trying to understand whether this is a niche European concept or a real U.S. option. In practice, Loop’s Cocoon is visible in the U.S. through sellers such as Titan and Passages. Both list the Cocoon at $3,995 (taxes may be separate), and Passages notes shipping in the 2–3 business day range. This is helpful because it anchors expectations: the Cocoon is typically priced comparably to many premium caskets, not like a low-cost cardboard alternative.
Availability can change, and certain styles or finishes may be in stock at different times. If you are planning ahead, the simplest approach is to confirm lead time, delivery method, and what happens if a timeline changes. Planning ahead is not “inviting” anything to happen; it is removing pressure from the day your family is least able to handle pressure.
Setas Eternal Living and U.S.-Grown Mycelium Coffins
Another name you may encounter in the mycelium coffin USA landscape is Setas Eternal Living. The company describes its MyCoffin products as made from mycelium and hemp and grown in Pennsylvania. Setas lists an adult mycelium coffin at $2,495 and notes freight shipping. A 2024 feature from Penn State University describes the launch of Setas Eternal Living and explains the company’s origin story and product concept.
If you compare Setas to Loop, you’re not just comparing price. You’re comparing supply chain, timeline, who is growing the product, and what claims are made about sustainability and decomposition. When a company uses language like “carbon-negative” or “sequesters CO2,” treat that as a claim worth understanding. Ask what measurement or verification is behind it, and whether the claim refers to materials, manufacturing, shipping, or the full lifecycle. You do not need to argue; you simply want clarity that matches your values.
Mycelium Burial Suits and Shrouds
Some families love the idea of mushrooms supporting a natural return, but do not want a full mushroom coffin. In that case, you may run into the concept of mushroom burial suits or shrouds that incorporate fungal materials. These are not caskets, but they can be part of a natural burial plan in cemeteries that allow shrouded burial. The practical takeaway is that “mycelium” in end-of-life care is not one product—it’s a family of approaches, and your cemetery’s rules will narrow the options quickly.
What to Compare Before You Decide
When you’re under emotional stress, it helps to have a small, calm framework for comparison. Instead of trying to “pick the best,” try to pick the option that best fits your setting and your family’s needs.
- Availability and lead time in your region (including shipping method and delivery window).
- Cemetery requirements: whether vaults are required, and whether green burial practices are supported.
- Funeral home handling: capacity, carrying method, compatibility with refrigeration or viewing logistics.
- Material transparency and finishes: what the vessel is made of, and whether dyes/adhesives are non-toxic.
- Total cost: product price, shipping or freight, cemetery fees, and any required additional container.
If your goal is specifically a green burial casket, remember that mycelium is only one pathway. Many natural burial grounds also accept simple unfinished wood, woven natural fibers, or shrouds. Mycelium can feel uniquely meaningful because it is “grown,” but your values can be honored in more than one material.
If Your Family Is Choosing Cremation Instead
Not every family will choose burial, green or otherwise. For many, cremation feels simpler, more affordable, or more flexible—especially when family members live far apart. And because cremation is now the majority choice nationally, families are often planning a memorial that happens later, in a different location, and in a way that fits the person’s life rather than a rigid schedule.
If you are weighing cost as part of the decision, it helps to start with grounded numbers. Funeral.com’s guide on how much does cremation cost explains common price bands and what is typically included. For broader context that includes burial and ceremony choices, the Funeral.com overview of average costs can help families compare without getting lost in jargon.
Once cremation is chosen, the next question is often what to do with ashes. Some families want a single central memorial. Others want a plan that lets multiple people hold a connection. That is where product categories are less about “shopping” and more about matching the memorial to real life. A full-size option from Funeral.com’s cremation urns and cremation urns for ashes collection can serve as the primary vessel, while small cremation urns and keepsake urns can support sharing among siblings, children, or close friends.
If your plan includes a home memorial, you may also appreciate a guide that discusses the human side of it—privacy, safety, and what feels respectful in a shared household. Funeral.com’s resource on keeping ashes at home is designed to reduce anxiety and give families permission to move at their own pace. And if your loved one wanted a return to nature in a different form, Funeral.com’s explanation of water burial can help you understand what the ceremony involves and what families typically consider beforehand.
For those exploring biodegradable cremation vessels, Funeral.com also offers a practical primer on eco-friendly urn options, including how different materials behave in water, soil, and memorial plantings.
Pet Loss Matters Here Too
Green burial conversations often focus on human funerals, but families who love animals know that pet loss carries its own kind of grief—sometimes quieter, sometimes just as intense. If your family is planning aftercare for a companion animal, Funeral.com’s pet urns and pet cremation urns collection includes many styles and sizes for pet urns for ashes, including highly personal memorial designs. Some families prefer sculpture-like memorials that reflect personality; others want simplicity. In that spirit, Funeral.com’s pet figurine urns and pet keepsake options can help families create a memorial that fits their home and their heart without feeling performative.
Cremation Jewelry and the Need to Carry Connection
Sometimes the most honest truth is that a memorial is not only a location. It is also something you touch, see, or carry when grief rises unexpectedly. This is why cremation jewelry has become a meaningful part of modern memorial plans, especially when family members live in different places. The goal is not to replace an urn. The goal is to create a small, private point of connection that supports daily life.
If you are new to the idea, Funeral.com’s guide to cremation jewelry 101 explains how these pieces work, who they tend to help most, and what realistic expectations look like. For shoppers who already know the format they want, Funeral.com’s collections for cremation jewelry and cremation necklaces include pieces designed to hold a small portion of ashes in a discreet, wearable form. For families memorializing pets, the pet cremation jewelry collection offers similar options designed around that bond.
Bringing It All Back to Planning Without Pressure
The reason mycelium caskets have captured attention is not only the material. It is what the material represents: a desire for honesty, simplicity, and a return that feels natural. But even the greenest option will feel stressful if it is chosen in a rush. Good funeral planning does not mean making every decision early. It means making the decisions that remove the most pressure—where you want the burial to happen, whether cremation is preferred, what kind of ceremony feels right, and what products are required to carry out that plan smoothly.
If a mycelium casket is part of your values, your next step is practical: confirm cemetery requirements, confirm funeral home handling, and confirm availability and delivery. If your family is choosing cremation, the next step is equally practical: decide whether you want a single primary memorial, shared keepsakes, or a layered plan that includes an urn at home and a wearable keepsake. Either way, the right plan is the one that makes your family feel steady, respected, and able to focus on love instead of logistics.
