Mycelium Coffin Marks Australian First

A coffin grown from mycelium and upcycled hemp fibres has been used for the first time in Australia. The Loop Living Cocoon, developed by Dutch company Loop Biotech, offers a biobased alternative to conventional wooden coffins.

The coffin was used for the burial of Carolyn, a woman in her seventies from Sydney, on 4 September. Her family chose the material because its connection with nature reflected her personal values. The farewell service took place in Faulconbridge, followed by the burial at Springwood Cemetery in the Blue Mountains.

Grown From Mycelium And Hemp

Loop Biotech grows the Living Cocoon in the Netherlands from mycelium, the underground network of fungi, combined with upcycled hemp fibres. Production takes seven days. Under suitable soil conditions, the coffin breaks down and becomes part of the soil in approximately 45 days.

This approach treats the coffin as a temporary, regenerative structure rather than a permanent product. As the material decomposes, it returns organic matter to the surrounding soil. This makes mycelium an interesting material for designers working with short-life products, natural composites and biological cycles.

The interior includes a bed of moss. According to a close friend of Carolyn, the natural surface made it appear as though she was already becoming part of the earth.

Growing Interest In Sustainable Funerals

Asha Dooley, Managing Director and Funeral Director at Grace Funerals, says Australian families increasingly ask about environmentally conscious funeral options. She notes that such requests were unusual five years ago, while more families now want a farewell that reflects how someone lived.

The introduction also coincides with growing recognition of fungi in Australia. The Australian Labor Party recently included fungi alongside flora and fauna in its national policy platform for the first time.

From Delft Project To International Product

Loop Biotech founder Bob Hendrikx developed the first version of the Living Cocoon as a graduation project at Delft University of Technology. Five years later, the company’s regenerative funeral products are available in more than 12 countries. They have been used in over 10,000 funerals and memorial ceremonies worldwide.

In 2025, TIME included the Loop Living Cocoon in its Best Inventions list. Australian distribution takes place through an exclusive partnership with memorial product supplier Arrow Bronze.

The Australian burial demonstrates how grown materials can move beyond experimental design and enter sensitive, highly regulated product sectors. It also highlights the potential of mycelium composites to support products designed for safe and rapid biological decomposition.

Source: Duurzaam Ondernemen
Photos: Loop Biotech