<div><p>When it comes to end of life planning, there are so many options now. Besides a traditional coffin or an urn, many people are opting for unique ways to preserve or transform their <a href="https://www.shared.com/11-things-your-ashes-can-do-after-you-die/" target="_blank">remains</a>. </p><p>One Italian designers, Raoul Bretzel and Anna Citelli have come up with an environmentally friendly way to bury bodies after death. <a href="http://www.capsulamundi.it/en/" target="_blank">Capsula Mundi</a> (world's capsul) is an egg-shaped pod that can house a corpse or ashes. </p><p>Over time, the capsule breaks down and the nutrients are released into the earth, which feeds a tree planted above it.</p><div><figure><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/03/world/eco-solutions-capsula-mundi/index.html?sr=fbCNN050717eco-solutions-capsula-mundi0600AMStoryLink&linkId=37235621" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/170424155211-capsula-mundi-poland-exlarge-169.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/170424155211-capsula-mundi-poland-exlarge-169_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/170424155211-capsula-mundi-poland-exlarge-169_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/170424155211-capsula-mundi-poland-exlarge-169_GH_content_750px.jpg 750w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/03/world/eco-solutions-capsula-mundi/index.html?sr=fbCNN050717eco-solutions-capsula-mundi0600AMStoryLink&linkId=37235621" target="_blank">Capsula Mundi at the science festival Festiwal Przemiany in Warsaw, Poland, in 2016.</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Compared to the synthetic cushioning and metals used in traditional coffins, these biodegradable pods produce less waste and require less energy to make. Rather than cemeteries full of tombstones, the vision is to plant a forest of trees, nourished by the bodies of our dearly departed. </p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p><a href="http://www.capsulamundi.it/en/the-first-capsulas-for-ashes-are-available/" target="_blank">Although the first version will only be available for ashes</a>, the scientific research does support green options like Capsula Mundi. As public interest in green burials increase, the market for coffin pods is likely to increase. </p><p>According to Kate Kalanick, this form of burial practice is actually legal in the US and Canada. Kalanick works for the Green Burial Council - North America's eco-certification organization for the death industry.</p><div><figure><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/03/world/eco-solutions-capsula-mundi/index.html?sr=fbCNN050717eco-solutions-capsula-mundi0600AMStoryLink&linkId=37235621" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/170424132824-capsula-mundi-three-eggs-exlarge-169-2.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/170424132824-capsula-mundi-three-eggs-exlarge-169-2_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/170424132824-capsula-mundi-three-eggs-exlarge-169-2_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/170424132824-capsula-mundi-three-eggs-exlarge-169-2_GH_content_750px.jpg 750w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/03/world/eco-solutions-capsula-mundi/index.html?sr=fbCNN050717eco-solutions-capsula-mundi0600AMStoryLink&linkId=37235621" target="_blank">Giacomo Bretzel</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>"It's legal in the whole of North America. We really don't have any governmental or legislative push back in the US or in Canada in regards to green burials," says Kalanick.</p><p><strong>Do you think it's a good idea? Would you consider this in your end of life planning? </strong></p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p> </p></div>