Mushroom Burial Suits: What They Are and Do They Work?

A mushroom burial suit is a garment seeded with fungi, made to be worn in a grave. Its makers said it would speed up decomposition and break down toxins in the body. The original Infinity Burial Suit is no longer sold, and the Green Burial Council (GBC) says the science behind it is unproven. If you like the idea, a plain natural shroud in a green cemetery gets you most of the same benefits.

What is a mushroom burial suit?

The Infinity Burial Suit was created by Jae Rhim Lee, whose company Coeio produced it. It was a biodegradable, shroud-like garment infused with a fungal strain the company called the "Infinity Mushroom." Lee introduced the idea in a 2011 TED talk, and the company claimed the suit "decomposed and remediated toxins in human tissue."

The idea reached a wider audience in 2019, when actor Luke Perry was buried in one at his family farm in Tennessee.

The idea behind such products is mycoremediation, using fungi to break down organic matter and, in theory, pollutants. Whether it does anything measurable inside a grave has not been shown.

Does it work, and is it still sold?

There are two problems with the original suit.

It is out of production. The GBC says a failed field study led to the mushroom suit going out of production. Wikipedia reports that Coeio does not appear to be operating as of 2026. If you see one offered for sale, treat it with caution.

The science is unproven. The GBC describes the suit as a garment inoculated with mycelium intended to neutralize toxins and speed decomposition. It says there are concerns in the conservation community about the necessity, viability and scientific support of the theory, and that it is not in line with the GBC's commitment to natural, unimpeded decomposition. A consultant hired in 2016 to help test the suit has said it was no more effective than a standard burial shroud. That account is reported, not published research.

In short, a mushroom suit has not been shown to do more than an ordinary natural shroud.

What about mycelium coffins?

Loop Biotech sells the Living Cocoon, which it calls the world's first mushroom coffin. It is made from mycelium rather than wood or cardboard. The company says it is delivering across Europe and North America and that the product is certified for natural burial, traditional burial and cremation.

Those are the company's own statements. Before you buy one, ask your funeral home and cemetery whether they will accept it and what they would charge. Prices are set by the seller, and the company's main page does not show a current US price.

Where can a mushroom suit or coffin be used?

The GBC says green burial is permitted in all 50 states, although each state has its own rules. Vaults are not required by law, but cemeteries may require them. Many conventional cemeteries do, and a vault keeps a shroud or coffin away from the soil.

A few practical points:

• Choose the cemetery first. Look for a green, natural or conservation burial ground that does not allow vaults. Our guides to conservation cemeteries and natural burial grounds explain the options.
• Skip embalming. The FTC says no state law requires routine embalming for every death, and refrigeration is often an acceptable substitute. The GBC describes green burial as using no toxic embalming chemicals.
• Depth. The GBC describes about 3.5 to 4 feet as the best grave depth for decomposition and as a barrier against animals.
• Home burial. Laws differ by state and locality, so check before you consider it. See home burial laws in the USA.

What are simpler alternatives?

The GBC says green burial containers can be caskets, shrouds, urns or pouches made from plant-derived, natural or unfired earthen materials. You do not need a fungal product to qualify.

• Natural shroud. Cotton, linen, wool or silk, often carried on a board. See shroud burial.
• Wicker, willow or plain wood casket. See eco-friendly caskets and wicker and willow caskets.
• Your own container. The FTC says funeral homes can't refuse a casket you bought elsewhere or charge you a fee for using it.
• Other methods. Human composting and aquamation aren't burial, but some families consider them for similar reasons. See human composting and aquamation cost.

The Funeral Consumers Alliance reports that a grave site and interment at a green cemetery run $1,000 to $4,000 for a body, with a funeral home fee often around $2,000.

What to do next

1. Find a green or conservation cemetery near you and ask what containers it accepts.
2. Ask whether it will allow a mycelium product if you still want one.
3. Write your wishes down and tell your family, since many funeral homes don't offer green burial by default.