The Mushroom Burial Suit: How It Works, What the Science Says, and Typical Costs

If you’ve ever found yourself searching late at night for a greener way to say goodbye—something that feels gentle, meaningful, and less industrial than what you imagined funerals had to be—you’re not alone. A growing number of families are exploring eco-friendly options, and the “mushroom suit” often shows up near the top of the list because it sounds almost poetic: a garment designed to help a body return to the earth with the support of fungi.

The truth is both simpler and more complicated than the headlines. The mushroom burial suit—often discussed as the Infinity Burial Suit—can be a real part of a green burial plan, but it can’t override cemetery rules, state requirements, or the basic realities of how decomposition works underground. Think of it less as a magical solution and more as one tool inside a bigger set of decisions: where burial can happen, what materials are allowed, and what your family needs emotionally during funeral planning.

At the same time, many people who start with “mushroom suit” questions end up widening the conversation. What if a natural cemetery isn’t nearby? What if the family is scattered across states? What if the plan becomes cremation—but you still want an eco-minded approach to what to do with ashes, including keeping ashes at home, water burial, or sharing remembrance with keepsake urns and cremation jewelry? This guide will walk with you through the mushroom suit concept while also keeping your options open, practical, and compassionate.

What people mean by “mushroom suit” (and what it actually is)

Most people who say “mushroom suit burial” are referring to the Infinity Burial Suit concept associated with Coeio and the Infinity Burial Project. The suit is described as a biodegradable garment intended to be used with natural burial, incorporating fungi and other microorganisms meant to support decomposition. The idea has also been explained in mainstream science writing, including HowStuffWorks, and it’s discussed by end-of-life education groups such as The Order of the Good Death.

If you’re trying to separate fact from fiction, it helps to start with a grounded definition of green burial itself. The Green Burial Council explains green burial as an approach that avoids many conventional burial elements (like vaults and non-biodegradable materials) in favor of biodegradable, natural practices. The National Funeral Directors Association similarly frames green burial around direct earth interment, biodegradable materials, and minimizing environmental impact.

In other words, the suit isn’t a replacement for a cemetery or permits. It’s a garment choice within a specific kind of burial environment.

How it’s intended to work

The central claim is straightforward: fungi (through mycelium and spores) are incorporated into the garment so that, under the right conditions, they can participate in breaking down organic matter and potentially interact with compounds in the body as decomposition unfolds. Fungi are widely known for their role in natural ecosystems and, in some contexts, their ability to break down complex materials. That’s part of why the concept feels compelling—death reimagined as a return to the living world.

But burial is not one uniform environment. Soil chemistry, moisture, depth, oxygen, temperature, and cemetery policies all shape what happens next. Even the Green Burial Council has published educational material addressing burial science in lay terms, emphasizing that the realities of decomposition depend on conditions and practices rather than marketing promises. You can see that approach in their resource, The Science Behind Green and Conventional Burial.

This is where the most honest answer lives: the suit may be compatible with a green burial plan, and fungi are real decomposers—but the specific claims about “detoxifying” or “neutralizing” everything in a human body underground are harder to prove in a consistent, consumer-facing way. Some reporting has highlighted skepticism that fungi will reliably activate in typical cemetery conditions, especially where soil is oxygen-poor or otherwise not ideal for fungal growth. For example, Wired has covered debates around mycelium-based burial products and the practical limits of fungi underground.

What the science can support (and what it can’t promise)

It’s completely reasonable to want a simple verdict: “Does it work?” The gentler, more accurate question is: “Work for what?”

If “work” means “is it biodegradable and compatible with natural burial principles,” the answer may be yes—if the materials meet the cemetery’s rules and the burial site allows shrouds or garments rather than a traditional casket and vault. That’s a policy question as much as a science question, and it’s why green burial planning often starts with the burial ground. The Green Burial Council’s certification standards exist because practices vary widely, and families deserve clarity.

If “work” means “it guarantees faster decomposition” or “it reliably cleanses the body of all toxins,” those statements are much harder to treat as settled fact. Decomposition already happens naturally. A green burial plan supports that by avoiding barriers—like vaults and non-biodegradable containers—that slow or alter the process. The suit may align with that goal, but it can’t override the reality that decomposition is influenced by the burial environment itself.

For many families, that’s not disappointing—it’s clarifying. The most eco-friendly choice is often the one that is actually feasible where you live and that your family can carry out without conflict or last-minute surprises.

The practical hurdle most families don’t expect: cemetery rules

Here is the part that tends to decide everything: even if there is no broad “law” against a mushroom suit, a cemetery can still say no to specific materials, finishes, plastics, or components that don’t meet their rules. Conventional cemeteries may require a vault or liner, restrict shrouds, or only allow certain containers. Green cemeteries may allow shrouds or natural garments, but they may have their own standards for biodegradability and construction.

If you’re exploring the suit, start with the question “Where could this burial happen?” rather than “Can I buy it?” It’s often easier to find an acceptable burial ground first, then choose the garment or container that fits the rules.

If you want a plain-language explainer before you call a cemetery, Funeral.com’s guide on green burial can help you understand what green burial usually avoids and what it prioritizes.

Typical costs: the suit, the burial, and the “real total”

The price people quote most often for the Infinity Burial Suit is around $1,500, a figure that has been widely reported in consumer media. For example, Teen Vogue reported the suit retailing for $1,500 when discussing Luke Perry’s eco-friendly burial choice.

But families usually need the full picture. The suit is only one line item. The “real total” typically depends on:

• Burial ground costs (plot, opening/closing fees, permits)
• Transportation and care through a funeral home (even for simple services)
• Whether embalming is avoided (common in green burial, but not always required)
• Any viewing, gathering, or ceremony choices your family wants

Some green burials can be less expensive than conventional burial packages, especially when you avoid a vault and expensive casket, but costs vary sharply by region and cemetery. The Green Burial Council’s FAQ is useful when you want to understand what practices are typical and what questions to ask.

When families choose cremation instead (and why that’s not “giving up”)

Even families who love the idea of natural burial sometimes choose cremation for reasons that have nothing to do with values and everything to do with logistics: distance, timing, family coordination, or the lack of a nearby green cemetery. In the U.S., cremation is now the majority choice. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the projected U.S. cremation rate for 2025 is 63.4%, with burial projected at 31.6%.

If cremation becomes part of your plan, you still have thoughtful choices about memorialization—and this is where families often want guidance that feels both tender and practical.

Choosing cremation memorials with care: urns, keepsakes, and jewelry

When people type cremation urns into a search bar, what they often mean is: “I want something that feels like my person.” The details matter—size, material, where the urn will live, and whether you’re sharing ashes across multiple loved ones. A helpful place to start is Funeral.com’s collection of cremation urns for ashes, which gives you a broad view of styles and materials without assuming what your family “should” do.

If you already know you want something compact—because space is limited, because ashes will be shared, or because your home memorial will be simple—look at small cremation urns. Small doesn’t mean less meaningful; it often means the plan is more flexible.

And if the family is sharing remembrance, keepsake urns can be a gentle solution when everyone wants a tangible connection. A keepsake urn is designed for a portion of ashes, not the full amount, which can reduce pressure and prevent conflict in the weeks after loss.

For families who want something wearable—something that lets a loved one feel “near” in the most ordinary moments—cremation jewelry can be a meaningful fit. Many people specifically search for cremation necklaces, and Funeral.com’s cremation necklaces collection is curated around that everyday reality: pieces meant to be worn, not just stored. If you want the practical details—how filling works, how pieces seal, what metals hold up to daily life—this guide on cremation jewelry is designed to answer the questions families are often afraid to ask out loud.

Pet loss belongs in this conversation, too

For many people, the search for greener death care begins with a pet—because the love is uncomplicated, and the grief is immediate. If you’re looking for pet urns, you’re not being “extra.” You’re honoring a relationship that mattered.

Funeral.com’s pet urns for ashes collection includes a wide range of styles for dogs, cats, and other companions. If you’re drawn to something that feels more like art than a container, pet figurine cremation urns can reflect personality in a way that feels deeply right. And if you’re sharing a small portion among family members, pet keepsake cremation urns are designed for that exact purpose.

If you need guidance before you choose, the Funeral.com Journal includes a supportive overview of pet urns for ashes and how sizing and materials work in real life.

Keeping ashes at home, water burial, and other “next step” choices

After cremation, families often pause—sometimes for weeks or months—before deciding what to do next. This is normal. The question isn’t only what to do with ashes; it’s what you can live with, day after day.

If you’re considering keeping ashes at home, you might be balancing comfort with superstition, or simply worrying about safety. Funeral.com’s Journal guide on keeping ashes at home offers a calm, practical framing: what’s common, what’s worth thinking through, and how to set up a home memorial that feels respectful rather than fragile.

If a loved one felt connected to the sea or a lake, water burial using a biodegradable water urn can be a beautiful ritual. Funeral.com’s guide to biodegradable water urns for ashes explains how different designs float, sink, and dissolve, so the ceremony matches your expectations.

How much does cremation cost, and how does that affect the plan?

Families often ask cost questions with a hint of guilt—like caring about money means caring less. In reality, cost clarity is part of care. It helps you avoid regret and prevent a rushed decision.

If you’re actively comparing options or planning ahead, Funeral.com’s 2025 guide on how much does cremation cost breaks down typical fees and what commonly changes the total, while keeping the tone humane and practical.

Where the mushroom suit fits best in real-life funeral planning

For the right family, the mushroom burial suit can be a meaningful choice: a symbol of returning to the earth, and a prompt to plan intentionally rather than defaulting to what’s familiar. It tends to fit best when:

• You have access to a green burial ground that allows natural garments and biodegradable materials.
• You want to avoid embalming and vault requirements where possible.
• Your family agrees on the plan and finds comfort in its symbolism.

And it may be less practical when the nearest compatible cemetery is far away, when local cemetery rules are strict, or when your family needs the flexibility that cremation can offer—especially if you’re coordinating travel, timing, or multiple memorial locations.

In the end, the most “green” plan is often the one your family can actually carry out with steadiness: a plan that respects the person you love, works within real rules, and leaves you with a place (or an object) that supports grief rather than complicating it.

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