Would you get buried in a 'living coffin'? Australian woman is put to rest in a casket made from mushrooms — Published: 21:00 BST, 6 September 2026 | Updated: 21:00 BST, 6 September 2026
A woman has become the first person in Australia to be buried in a 'living coffin'. 
Carolyn, a woman in her 70s, was put to rest on 4 September in a futuristic casket made from mycelium – the underground root network of mushrooms – and upcycled hemp fibres.
These natural materials degrade in just 45 days once buried.
While mushroom coffins have already been used in the UK, this marks the first time one has been used in Australia. 
Donald, Carolyn's husband, said: 'This is so Carolyn. She was always there to help others. 
'It feels very true to who she was that even after her death, she can still do something for others while giving something back to nature.' 
A woman has become the first person in Australia to be buried in a 'living coffin'. Carolyn, a woman in her 70s, was put to rest on 4 September in a futuristic casket made from mycelium – the underground root network of mushrooms – and upcycled hemp fibres
The living coffin is the brainchild of Bob Hendrikx, founder of Loop Biotech, a biotechnology company based in The Netherlands. 
'Five years ago, this existed only as an idea at Delft University of Technology,' Mr Hendrikx explained. 
'Being here in Sydney and seeing the first Australian family choose it is incredibly special. 
'We hope this gives families another way to leave something positive behind: a final gesture that also gives something back to the land.'
Made from local mushrooms and upcycled hemp fibres, the coffin takes just seven days to be grown, and 45 days to return to the earth once buried. 
Inside, it's also lined with natural materials, with options for a soft bed of moss, wool, or soft organic cotton.
Carolyn's family decided to choose the living coffin as a nod to her connection with nature.