Contribution short abstract:

This paper examines postmortem material cycles as a site of "unwriting" conventional burial methods. Focusing on circular narratives inherent in environmentally friendly burial alternatives, it aims to investigate how the concept of sustainability circulates in the funeral industry.

Contribution long abstract:

The cycle of becoming and decay is intrinsic to existence. Yet, conventional burial practices often interrupt the completion of decomposition processes, leaving traces of postmodern civilization in the cemetery. In contemporary Western societies, the dead are frequently socially excluded, severing them from the generational circles of life. Proponents of alternative burial methods argue that the rise of the modern funeral industry has led to this disruption of natural rhythms. Against the backdrop of the Anthropocene the environmental impact of burials that materializes in the grave has come to the fore. Innovative technologies such as human composting or alkaline hydrolysis demonstrate the potential for an eco-friendly “recycling” of mortal remains. The concept of sustainability circulates within discourses in the funerary sector and is often marketed with nature-mystical notions. For some, the popular woodland burials reflect the transfer of the energies of the deceased into the roots of trees - one of many examples of the comforting imagery offered by alternative funeral providers. Leading companies such as “Recompose”, “Return Home” or “Re-Erdigung” utilize symbols of infinity in their branding and express the idea of harmonious merging with a greater whole in their very names.

These developments reflect both an individual longing for eternal life and a societal shift towards reconnecting with a more traditional, “natural” way of dying. This contribution draws on qualitative research into contemporary funerary culture to interpret the appeal of cyclical narratives. By presenting sustainable solutions, it proposes a critical reassessment of long-standing practices in the funeral industry.