Memorializing a loved one who's passed on isn't a pleasant part of life, but it's something we all have to face.
At the same time, creating a personalized tribute is a comforting ritual for many people, and allows them to create a physical manifestation of their cherished memories with their loved one.
And now, thanks to some really innovative technology, the way we create these commemorative shrines are evolving, giving family members more and more options to create something that truly reflects the deceased in a unique and touching way.
Some may choose to return their loved one to the Earth to become a growing tree, while some might opt for a sculpture that incorporates their ashes.
The Bios Incube, however, uses both of these ideas. This unique urn uses the ashes of the deceased to provide a growing space for a baby tree!
What's more, the tree's growth is monitored via a sensor and smart app, so even if your thumb isn't the greenest, you can easily care for your special tree.
While this type of memorial may not be for everyone, some will take comfort in their loved one's remains nurturing new life, even on a small scale.
Take a look at the Bios Incube below, and let us know if this is something you'd choose, or if another option is right for you!
[H/T: My Modern Met]
The Bios Urn comes with an exterior urn or vase, called the Incube, and a biodegradable container for the ashes.
The Incube is capable of holding about 3 gallons of water, which can sustain a new tree for nearly three weeks.
To get started, the ash container is placed inside the urn with some potting soil.
The sensor is placed on top of the soil, just over the ashes. The Incube is then filled with water, and the sensor gets to work monitoring the soil's moisture and other atmospheric conditions.
The sensor is equipped to measure light levels, soil moisture, water absorption, temperature, and more.
And it all connects to your smartphone via an app, so you can make sure you special tree is getting the care it needs to stay healthy.
And soon, a new life begins to emerge. Ash is actually a great source of nutrients for growing plants, and so the new tree will have a healthy growing environment.
Depending on the type of tree chosen, the sensor and app will adjust accordingly.
The sensor will also water the plant automatically from the Incube's stored water, so you don't have to worry about it!
The creators of the Incube Bios urn, who hail from Barcelona, see this as a natural alternative to traditional burial or ash interment.
They also see it as a way for people in urban settings to have a deeper connection to nature.
And when the tree gets too big for the Incube, it can be transplanted into a larger container or placed outside, and the Incube can be reused for other plants.
So not only does the tree become a vibrant, living memorial to a loved one, but it also becomes part of the living ecosystem and the cycle of life.
The Bios Urn is still in its early stages, and its designers are currently working on a Kickstarter to get the needed funding for their project.
You can also check out more information on their website, as well as on Instagram.
The creators of this memorial hope that it not only helps ease the pain of losing a loved one, but provides them with the chance to turn loss into new life.
What do you think? Would you like your remains to create new life, new oxygen, and new homes for little animals? Let us know below!
And please SHARE this idea with your friends and see what they have to say!
