Biodegradable Caskets and Urns

MPG Introduces Canada’s First Mushroom-Grown Funeral Products

Mount Pleasant Group (MPG) is proud to be the first company in Canada to offer the Loop Living Cocoon™ coffin and Loop EarthRise™urn– innovative, biodegradable funeral products grown from mycelium (the root network of mushrooms) and upcycled hemp fibres. Developed by Dutch company Loop Biotech(external link), these products represent a new era in sustainable end-of-life care, designed to biodegrade within 45 days, enriching the soil and supporting biodiversity. 

		Loop Living Cocoon™ – A Natural Return Grown in just seven days, the Loop Living Cocoon™ is the world’s first living coffin. Soft to the touch and lined with a bed of moss, it offers a regenerative way to return to the earth. MPG currently offers the “Calm” exterior (a natural off-white tone) with moss interior – Loop’s most requested combination. With a weight capacity of up to 440 lbs, the cocoon is suitable for traditional burial, natural burial and cremation. Price: $3,750 + HST
Loop EarthRise™ – A Living Tribute The Loop EarthRise™ urn is a biodegradable vessel that can be buried in a cemetery or kept at home as a natural ornament. It holds up to 244 cubic inches of cremated remains and is available in the “Calm” exterior finish. Price: $495 + HST

 

Sustainable Choices for a Changing World

Both products are GreenLeave-certified, 100% natural and compatible with MPG’s natural burial sections at Meadowvale and Duffin Meadows cemeteries. MPG’s natural burial grounds are designed to let nature take its course, with native grasses and wildflowers growing freely to promote biodiversity and a tread-free mindset. 
 

Contact Our Team to Learn More Now

 

LOOP FAQ's

1. What is the Loop Living Cocoon™?

It’s the world’s first living coffin grown from mycelium (the root structure of mushrooms) and upcycled hemp fibers. It’s soft, moss-lined and designed to biodegrade within 45 days, enriching the soil and supporting biodiversity.

 

2. Why choose a Loop Living Cocoon™?

The Cocoon™ is grown from local mushrooms and empowers you to give back. It is 100% nature, fully biodegradable within 45 days and actively enriches the soil, allowing new life to thrive. A conscious choice for those who wish to leave the world better for future generations.

 

3. Is the Loop Living Cocoon™ suitable for cremation, natural and traditional burials?

Yes. The Cocoon™ is certified for all types of funerals, including natural burial, traditional burial and cremation.

 

4. Why would you choose to cremate the Loop Living Cocoon™?

For those choosing cremation, a coffin with a lower environmental footprint is essential. The Loop Living Cocoon™, grown in just seven days in the Netherlands using local mushrooms and upcycled hemp fibres, is made without chemicals, glues, metals and with minimal energy. Its low-impact production and minimal need for transportation of materials make it the most sustainable option, even when cremated.

 

5. What is the Loop EarthRise™?

A biodegradable urn that holds up to 4L of cremated remains. It can be buried or kept at home as a decorative, nature-friendly tribute. Like the Cocoon, it biodegrades within 45 days when buried.

 

6. Will the Loop EarthRise™ biodegrade indoors?

No. The Loop EarthRise™ is only biodegradable when in contact with soil, where it naturally breaks down within 45 days under ideal conditions. Indoors, it remains fully intact, making it a lasting and beautiful keepsake.

 

7. Are these products safe and certified?

Yes. Both are GreenLeave-certified, meaning they meet rigorous standards for natural and sustainable funeral products.

 

8. Where can I purchase these products?

They are currently available at MPG’s Elgin Mills and Meadowvale locations. Staff at these centres can guide families through the selection and planning process.

 

9. Can these products be used for cremation?

Yes. The Living Cocoon™ can be used for cremation, burial or natural burial. The EarthRise™ is specifically designed for cremated remains.

 

10. How do these products support the environment?

They decompose naturally and quickly, returning nutrients to the soil and promoting biodiversity. They avoid the use of synthetic materials, chemicals or preservatives.

 

11. What is natural burial and how does it differ from traditional burial?

Natural burial avoids embalming and uses biodegradable materials. MPG’s natural burial grounds at Meadowvale and Duffin Meadows feature native grasses and wildflowers, and are designed to minimize human impact on the landscape.

 

12. Why is MPG offering these products now?

There is growing interest in sustainable and meaningful end-of-life options. MPG is committed to meeting this demand and leading the way in eco-conscious funeral practices.

 

13. What is mycelium?

Mycelium is the root-like structure of mushrooms, consisting of an extensive network of hyphae. It plays a crucial role in natural ecosystems by breaking down organic matter and facilitating nutrient cycling. 

 

14. Why use mushrooms for funeral products?

Mushroom-based materials offer a scientifically supported and eco-friendly alternative to conventional coffin materials. They grow rapidly, within seven days, using low-value agricultural by-products like upcycled hemp fibers, and decompose naturally in about 45 days, much faster than traditional wooden coffins. Producing these materials requires significantly less energy, resulting in a positive carbon footprint. Research shows that mushrooms enhance soil quality and increase biodiversity by providing carbon-rich energy.

 

15. How does Loop Biotech grow the products?

They grow each product by combining mycelium, the root system of mushrooms, with locally upcycled hemp fibres. This natural mixture is placed into a mould, where the mycelium grows and binds everything together into a solid structure. No glue, no chemicals, just fascinating biology. Over the course of seven days, nature does the work and the organism takes shape. The result is a strong, fully natural material that can be used for natural burial, traditional burial or cremation. Once placed in the soil, the mycelium reactivates and continues its work, breaking down within 45 days under ideal conditions, releasing carbon and nutrients that enrich the soil and boost local biodiversity.

 

16. Where are Loop Biotech’s products grown?

All products are grown in Loop Biotech’s dedicated growing facility in the Netherlands. Using locally sourced materials and low-energy processes, each product is cultivated under carefully controlled conditions to ensure strength, safety and consistency. 

 

17. What happens in the soil?

Once buried, the mycelium reactivates and resumes its natural role as a recycler of life. Grown from a local, non-invasive fungal species, it works in harmony with the ecosystem. As it biodegrades, typically within 45 days under ideal conditions, it forms a porous structure that improves airflow and moisture retention, enhancing microbial activity and facilitating natural decomposition processes. In the process, it releases carbon and energy resources that enrich the soil, support plant growth and nourish microorganisms. The mycelium becomes part of the local food web, contributing to a thriving ecosystem.

 

18. Can the Loop container be prepaid?

Yes. As with any prepaid product we offer, MPG can substitute if at time of utilization the product is not available.

 

19. Aside from the Natural Burial area, can the cocoon be buried elsewhere in the cemetery?

Yes. If buried outside of the Natural Burial area, MPG will permit a maximum of two cocoons in the grave unless the grave was designated at time of sale as a standard-depth only grave. If the cocoon is buried first, it will be placed at “extra-extra” depth. Our records will be marked to ensure that when preparing the grave in
future for the on-top burial, our equipment is not impacting the remains. If buried in the Natural Burial area, we will comply with our Bylaws of only one casket at standard depth.

 

20. Are there any weight restrictions with the cocoons?

Maximum weight capacity for the cocoon is 440lbs.