Alternatives to burial

Deciding what to do with a loved one’s remains is one of the most personal choices a family can make. For centuries, burial and cremation have been the primary options, but as environmental awareness grows and personal preferences evolve, more people are exploring meaningful alternatives.

Here are six alternatives to traditional burial that families ask us about, each offering a different way to honour a life and connect with the natural world. You may also want to read our overview of direct cremation vs traditional funeral for context on the most common choices.

Cremation diamond

One of the most striking alternatives is transforming cremation ashes into a diamond. After cremation, the carbon from the ashes is purified and then subjected to extreme heat and pressure, mimicking the natural conditions beneath the Earth’s surface, to produce a lab-created gemstone. The result is a beautiful, lasting memorial that can be set into jewellery or kept as a cherished keepsake. Each diamond is unique to the person it commemorates.

Aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis)

Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, uses a solution of water and alkaline chemicals to gently break down organic material over several hours. What remains are the bones, which are dried, ground to a powder much like cremation ashes, and returned to the family. Its supporters point to the lower energy it uses than a flame cremation, and to the absence of chimney emissions. In the UK it is lawful only in Scotland, under regulations that came into force in March 2026 and treat it much as cremation is treated. In England and Wales it has no legal framework yet: the Law Commission’s June 2026 report recommends one, and proposes that using any new method before it is regulated should be a criminal offence.

Human composting

Human composting keeps the person in a controlled environment so that what remains breaks down into soil in weeks rather than the years a burial takes. It is offered in parts of the United States and Germany. It has never been used in England or Wales, and the Law Commission’s report treats it, with water cremation, as a method that needs a legal framework before anyone in this country could offer it.

Mushroom burial suit

For those seeking a truly natural return to the earth, the mushroom burial suit offers an innovative solution. The biodegradable suit is infused with mushroom spores that facilitate decomposition while neutralising toxins in the remains. As the mycelium spreads, it helps break down the remains and enriches the surrounding soil with nutrients, contributing actively to the local ecosystem rather than simply occupying space within it.

Wicker and natural coffins

A simpler eco-friendly option, natural coffins made from willow, bamboo, or seagrass decompose naturally, unlike traditional caskets, which often contain metal fittings, synthetic linings, and varnish. Natural coffins are commonly used in green burials, which aim to minimise environmental impact and allow for a more natural return to the earth. They are increasingly available from funeral directors across the UK.

Water burial

Burial at sea is possible in the UK, with a licence from the Marine Management Organisation, at three designated sites: off the Needles, between Hastings and Newhaven, and off Tynemouth. The rules are specific. The coffin must be solid softwood with holes drilled in it and at least 200 kg of weight fixed to it, the person must not be embalmed, and a shroud is not allowed, so it is a plain, weighted coffin committed from a boat rather than the shrouded burial some imagine. Scattering ashes at sea needs no licence at all. Another option, reef burial, mixes cremation ashes with concrete to form an artificial reef that supports marine life over time; it is offered mainly in the United States. Both provide a peaceful, nature-connected goodbye.

What to consider when choosing

Before deciding on an alternative burial option, it is worth considering:

• The wishes of the person who has died, if known.
• Availability of the method in the UK (some options require overseas providers).
• Cost, some alternatives, such as cremation diamonds, can be expensive; others, like natural coffins, may cost less than a conventional casket.
• Religious or cultural considerations for the family.

Whatever you choose, it is entirely possible to hold a separate memorial or celebration of life, the choice of what happens to the remains is independent of how you gather to say goodbye. If you are also considering direct cremation as a starting point, our guide on what to do with your loved one’s ashes covers the many options available after cremation.