According to the Green Burial Council, the American funerary industry consumes 20 million board feet of wood, 4.3 million gallons of formaldehyde, and 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete annually. A single flame cremation produces up to 600 pounds of carbon dioxide. However, greener solutions exist. The Cremation Association of North America reports that water cremation reduces carbon emissions by 90% and results in 30% more ash whiter than ash produced by flame cremation. O leverages water cremation and couples it with anaerobic digestion technology to sustainably transform human remains and honor the life of loved ones.

The O system is inclusive of all body types and is faith agnostic. At sites of respite and restoration, family members are invited to partake in a final goodbye as the body is gently lowered into the water cremation vessel, our redesigned alkaline hydrolysis pod. Family members may include organic mementos before the pod is closed and have the possibility of conducting ceremonies or celebrations during the organic reduction process. At the end of the water cremation process, all that remains are white bones and a DNA-free nutrient-rich liquid. Loved ones may opt to receive either the whole bones or ashes. 

O: Nurture Future Generations was developed in collaboration with Jonathan Chinen and Caroline Dignes. The project was selected for the Dubai Design Week 2022.