Frequently Asked Questions

OK, how do you pronounce Coeio? What does it mean?

We took a liberty with a latin word, coeo, which means “assemble, or come together.”

Here’s how you say Coeio: co- +‎ e + ō (“go”)

We love the name since the idea of coming together is really at the heart of why we started the company. We should come together with the earth naturally after we die.

What’s more, we’ve observed that expressing your wishes to your loved ones makes death a community experience. We go so far as to say it enables a celebration of life. As we have seen people choose Infinity Burial for themselves or loved ones, family and friends have come together to make that a reality which is an amazing thing to see.

What is the Infinity Burial Suit? How does it work?

The Infinity Burial Suit is a handcrafted garment that is worn by the deceased. The suit is completely biodegradable and was co­-created with zero waste fashion designer Daniel Silverstein.

The Infinity Burial Suit has a built in bio­mix, made up of of mushrooms and other microorganisms that together do three things; aid in decomposition, work to neutralize toxins found in the body and transfer nutrients to plant life.

The end result of being buried in the Infinity Burial Suit, or any of Coeio’s products, is that bodies are transformed into vital nutrients that enrich the earth and foster new life.

Does Coeio make other burial products?

Yes! In addition to the Infinity Burial Suit, Coeio has created an Infinity Burial Shroud and Infinity Burial Casket Liner. The Infinity Burial Shroud allows the body to be viewed before burial and can replace the coffin. The Infinity Burial Casket Liner can be used with any other green burial container. All three products are made of organic cotton and our bio­mix. The Suit and Shroud also have untreated wood buttons.

What is the difference between Coeio’s Infinity Burial Suit and the Suit in the TEDtalk?

The suit discussed in the TEDtalk “My Mushroom Burial Suit,” and the Coeio Infinity Burial Suit are not the same. There have been changes made to the design and bio mix of the suit between the TED talk and today. Such as incorporating mushroom mycelium instead of spores, due to the high sensitivity of spore germination.

When will the Infinity Burial Products be available?

We have started production and are taking orders now! Currently, the lead time for delivery is 2-4 weeks.

What is the shelf life of Infinity Burial Products?

All Infinity Burial Products come packaged for a long, stable shelf life. AND, Coeio’s products come with a warranty – every 5 years from purchase date, we will send you a reminder to ship us your product and so that we can refresh the bio-mix.

How will Coeio test if it works?

Scientific integrity is central to Coeio’s values, we owe nothing less to those who support our mission. Because when someone engages with our products, they are also engaging in a movement, and become like family to us. In the beginning, the suit was  based off of well-researched scientific studies. There have been a number of peer-reviewed studies which  prove mushrooms aid decomposition, remediate toxins and speed delivery of nutrients to plants.

Currently, we are doing our own testing, as well as applying this science to burials for our patent ­pending application. Validation and optimization are really important to us. We will be continuously doing experimentation as we go along to determine how and if we can improve our products to meet the growing needs of our customers.

Has anyone used it yet?

Our first human adopter is Dennis White. He is terminally ill and has an Infinity Burial Suit.

Coeio made a film about Dennis, titled “Suiting Dennis.” It is available to watch on our site. We also have materials you can download if you’d like to host a screening.

I want to be buried in an Infinity Burial Product, but am not facing death. What should I do?

You do not need to be at – need to purchase an Infinity Burial Product. There are many benefits for planning ahead, such as, making your wishes known, providing peace of mind that you have taken action and making decisions easier for those closest to you in the event of untimely death.

Is Coeio trying to eliminate the coffin?

We are promoting the tradition of natural burials. The way burials were done before the introduction of chemical embalming methods and non-biodegradable coffins. We want our users to feel welcome using a ‘green’ coffin in conjunction with the suit, this is why we offer an organic casket liner. And not to worry, the mycelium will still grow, as the casket will become an additional food source for the suit.

Is the infinity burial suit available for pets?

We have a whole line of pet burial products. We have sizes to accommodate most pets, from extra small to extra large.

Our products contain a mixture of mushrooms and other biological material that provide three benefits: help the body return to the earth, clean toxins in the and soil, and deliver nutrients to plants.

How do the mushrooms work?

Mushrooms break down material by emitting enzymes and have potential to consume a large variety of food sources. Some mushrooms create relationships with and deliver nutrients to plant roots.

The process by which mushrooms remove or eliminate toxins from the environment is called Mycoremediation. Mushrooms break down toxins in two ways. With organic toxins, mushrooms break down molecular bonds, thus neutralizing toxins or breaking the toxins down. In other cases, such as with heavy metals, the mushrooms bind the toxins through a process called chelation and in turn make the toxins innocuous.

These various processes only provide positive benefits that save energy and resources, improve the soil, and enrich plant life.

Will the mushrooms eat me while I am alive?

No. The mushrooms we are working with are selected for their capacity to digest dead human tissue. The fungi we are using are not being genetically altered in any way and will not morph into a flesh­ eating disease, even if you wear the suit

Consider the following…at any given moment, there are a million fungal spores, bacteria, and even viruses in the air, on every surface, and even in your own body competing for nutrients. Your body, when alive, has a natural defense mechanism (your immune system!) to fight off these microorganisms. Your body, when dead, no longer has an active immune system and will therefore become food for any organism.

Are you introducing non-native mushrooms into the ecosystem?

No, the strains of mushrooms that are used in the biomix are found all over the world.

If the mushrooms break down the toxins found in human bodies, do they become toxic? What if someone eats them?

We’re doing extensive research on all facets of the process. Mycelium does not always fruit (making the mushrooms you see and buy). That is dependent on soil conditions, temperature, moisture, and other variables; however, they are still growing underground.

Fungi has the ability to deactivate certain toxins after biosorption, while leaving others, such as heavy metals, in a state that remains unhealthy for consumption. This all depends on the species, its absorption capabilities, and the toxin. It is still an active area of research, but if you are lucky enough to see mushrooms growing above a grave, we suggest you look at them instead of eating!

Do the levels of toxins in humans really matter?

By being buried in the Infinity Burial Suit, you are helping the environment, which we believe is a valid cause, no matter how small the contribution.

What toxins are found in the human body?

The Centers for Disease Control in the US says we have 219 toxic chemicals in our body.  These include tobacco residues, dry cleaning chemicals, pesticides, fungicides, flame retardants, heavy metals, preservatives, etc.  The CDC reports that the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen and plastic hardener which causes reproductive and neurological damage, is found in 93% of adults age 6 and older.

Is it legal to use the infinity burial suit?

Yes, it is completely legal to use.

Where the confusion comes in is that some funeral homes and cemeteries require a traditional casket to be buried.  While they make it sound like a legal requirement, it actually has more to do with their own commercial goals.

This trend is changing however.  In recent years, interest in green funerals have been  on the rise, and a growing number of green funeral homes and burial grounds have emerged.  If you are interested in these, simply google “green burial” or check out the directory at the green burial council.

Are there any special preparations needed when using the suit?

No special preparations are needed when using the suit. The body is simply dressed in the suit as it would be in any other clothing. When using the shroud, the body is wrapped in it.

Like other green burial options, it is recommended that the body be buried within 24 hours or otherwise refrigerated.

Please be aware that there are certain circumstances when embalming is required, which you can read about on the Funeral Consumers Alliance website. We also suggest you check the regulations for your state to be sure.

Can you put the Infinity Burial Suit into a coffin, or does it have to go straight into the ground?

It is fine to use the Suit in addition to a biodegradable container, it is also fine to be buried with only the Suit.

How deep do I need to be buried? Will the mycelium work at those depths?

Oxygen levels, temperature, and other variables do impact mycelium growth at varying depths. However, mycorrhizal fungi can grow as deep as the plant roots it builds relationships with. In natural or green cemeteries, 4ft is the common burial depth. Burial laws vary state by state, but legally most states require 18 inches of a soil buffer between body/container and the ground. Therefore, we suggest that the suit be buried at a depth of 4ft. Of course, if you have questions or concerns about whether the mycelium will grow in your specific burial environment, we would love for you to contact us directly!

Do I have to get buried in a special place when I use the suit?

A range of options are open to you, including traditional cemeteries, specially designated green cemeteries, green burial conservation lands, or even on private land.   Each provider is different though, so we recommend contacting them to discuss your wishes and make arrangements.

We find that green cemeteries and conservation lands are the easiest to work with and most aligned with our customers’ values. To find one simply google “green burial” or check out the directory at the green burial council.

For burials on private land, please be aware that  laws are highly varied by municipality.  Be sure to thoroughly research the options in your area.

Where can I find green cemeteries in the US?

Simply google “green burial” or check out the directory at the Green Burial Council.

How can I help?

Sign up for our mailing list, contact us if you want to offer your expertise, or share the TED talk with your friends! You can also stay in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook.

We also encourage our supporters to host a screening of our short film about our first adopter, Dennis White, called “Suiting Dennis”. If you are interested in hosting a screening/discussion, contact us and we will send you a screening toolkit!

Still have questions?

Contact us, we’d be happy to help!