The mushroom coffin has landed in the UK – and it’s a big deal

The future of funerals has arrived in the UK, and it is growing – literally. At a special unveiling event on 4 February at Lambeth Cemetery in London, hosted by funeral provider Poppy’s, attendees were introduced to a ground-breaking innovation in sustainable funeral care: the Loop Living Cocoon, a biodegradable coffin made entirely from mycelium (the room network of mushrooms). 

Designed and developed by Loop Biotech in the Netherlands, this pioneering product is now available across the UK, offering a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional coffins. Around 20 funerals have already taken place using the mushroom coffin in the UK. 

Clare Monagu, CEO of Poppy’s, addressed the audience at the event and spoke about the group’s mission to redefine funeral practices, and put people and the planet at the heart of their approach. She said: “Most of you will know that Poppy’s was founded 13 years ago in response to the traditional funeral industry’s inflexibility and often problematic practices. We wanted to do things differently. We’ve always focused on offering outstanding care to both the living and the dead, rejecting manipulative sales tactics and unnecessary embalming.

“We’re certified as a B Corp, which means we’re held to the highest standards of social and environmental impact, and we’re constantly looking for new ways to reduce our carbon footprint.”

That mission to innovate made Poppy’s the “perfect” partner for Loop Biotech’s UK launch. The Loop Living Cocoon is a coffin grown from mycelium – the underground root network of mushrooms – which acts as “nature’s recycler”, breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. The concept is simple yet revolutionary: instead of being buried in a material that takes decades to decompose, the mushroom biodegrades in as little as 45 days – enriching the soil and leaving no environmental footprint.

Speaking at the unveiling about the inspiration behind the mushroom coffin, Bob Hendrikx, founder and CEO of Loop Biotech, said: “We live in a world where a dead tree has more value than a living one. That made us think: what if we stopped working with dead materials and started working with living organisms instead? 

“During our research at Delft University of Technology, we discovered that mycelium is the ultimate recycler—it transforms waste into new life. That’s when we realised we could collaborate with nature to create the world’s first living coffin.”

The Living Cocoon is not only 100% biodegradable, but it also enhances biodiversity. It is grown in just seven days using a combination of mycelium and upcycled hemp fibers, and it can hold up to 200kg while itself weighing around 30kg. Certified by the Funeral Furnishing Manufacturer’s Association (FFMA), it is both suitable for traditional and natural burials, as well as cremation. Its rapid decomposition process ensures that the body contributes to the regeneration of the earth, rather than polluting it.

For families looking to honour their loved ones in a meaningful and environmentally responsible way, the mycelium coffin offers a profound solution. Nick Leighton, who chose the Living Cocoon for his late son Max, shared his experience: “Max was fascinated by the Wood Wide Web—the underground fungal network that connects trees. When we discovered the mycelium coffin, it felt like the most natural choice. It’s not just a beautiful object, but it also carries deep symbolic meaning, representing rebirth and the cycle of life. None of the other options seemed appropriate.”

The demand for eco-friendly funeral options is growing, and Loop Biotech is ready to meet it. The company also offers the Loop ForestBed, a mycelium-based carrier, and the Loop EarthRise, a biodegradable urn. For now, all products are grown in Delft and stored in the UK for distribution. With funeral directors like Poetic Endings and JC Atkinson already embracing the Living Cocoon, the concept is gaining traction among those looking for a more conscious farewell.

Beyond individual choices, the mushroom coffin could also be a boon for natural burial grounds and a potential answer to the increasing pressure on cemetery space across the UK. In recent years, rural councils have struggled with shortages of burial plots, leading to restricted advanced lair sales, increased prices, and urgent searches for emergency burial sites. Authorities such as Tetbury Town Council, Luton Council, Angus Council, and Southend-on-Sea City Council have all faced these challenges. Loop Biotech’s invention offers a fully biodegradable and space-efficient solution, which could present a practical and sustainable alternative for councils looking to extend the longevity of their burial sites – with added perks for the environment.

“Teaming up with partners in the UK is a significant step toward making sustainable funeral products available internationally,” said Hendrikx. “We believe in creating an organic source of new life. Death should not mean the end – it should be a beginning. Sustainable funeral practices make the earth more livable for us and for future generations. Let’s close the Loop.”

Poppy’s has long championed green funerals, incorporating electric collection vehicles, using recycled rainwater to clean their fleet, and working with florists who prioritise seasonal and foraged plants. The introduction of the Living Cocoon to the UK market is said to “align seamlessly” with Poppy’s values and mission.

The unveiling of the mushroom coffin marks a shift in how we think about death and our impact on the environment. While traditional burial and cremation methods often involve materials and processes that contribute to pollution, deforestation, and carbon emissions, Loop Biotech’s innovations present a new path forward – one that is both practical and poetic. For those who dream of returning to nature, mycelium offers a way to transform the end of life into a continuation of it.

With the Living Cocoon now available nationwide, more people in the UK can make the choice to leave a positive footprint when they go. The funeral industry is evolving, and thanks to innovators like Loop Biotech and pioneers like Poppy’s, the journey towards a more sustainable future is already well underway.