Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Spíritree?
The Spiritree is a biodegradable funerary urn that transforms into a living memorial in the form of a tree.
What is the Spíritree made of?
The two-piece container is composed of a biodegradable, organic bottom shell, and a chemically inert, weathering ceramic cover.
How does the Spíritree work?
Once placed in the ground, the Spíritree’s bottom shell allows for the cremated remains to be placed within its internal concavity, and a porous ceramic cover is used to protect the cremated remains from dispersion, while allowing water absorption and promoting biodegradation. The vessel features a central cavity designed to receive a young tree, a seedling, a sapling, or even a seed, and its near-acidic composition helps neutralize the natural alkalinity of cremated remains. When planted along with the Spiritree, the growing plant gradually feeds itself from the decomposing biodegradable bottom shell, and the calcium-rich cremated remains. In due time, the protective ceramic shell is broken by the growing tree, which becomes the actual a living memorial to the loved one’s memory.
Where does the Spíritree's shape come from?
The design of Spíritrees is informed by natural forms, like that of a seed, and a pregnant belly. It’s shape aims to allude themes of reproduction, restoring the concept of “death” to our understanding of the natural cycle of life.
How much does a Spíritree cost?
The price for a Spíritree is $225, which includes shipping and handling via FedEx or USPS for any location within the continental United States. Costs for shipping to Canada are usually around $25 more, whereas Europe is usually between $35 and $50; elsewhere in the Americas, Asia, and Africa have to be quoted for the exact costs depending on the country.
Where can I order my Spíritree?
You can place your order from us directly on our online Shop. Click here to become a tree!
How can I pay for my Spíritree?
You can pay for your Spíritree using any major credit card or PayPal.
How do Spíritrees ship-out?
Spíritrees ship out in their own protective, foam-lined boxes, ready to use. They include a fertilizer packet, for use along the user-supplied plant.
Do Spíritrees include a tree or a seed?
Spíritrees do not include any living material. Plants need to be chosen according to their specific geographic location and environmental conditions. We can sometimes provide a general guidance of possible plant selection at some locations but we always recommend consulting with a local plant nursery, with any regional tree provider, or with the US Forest Service's website, in order to choose the best possible species.
Can you sell trees, seeds or seedlings?
We do not sell seeds or plants of any kind. Spíritrees are designed to be used with locally-sourced plants. Using native species is a key first step towards sustainability.
How do I plant my Spíritree?
Spíritrees arrive ready to plant, with the two-part urn, a fertilizer packet, and a set of planting instructions. You can download a digital copy of the planting instructions by clicking here.
Will my Spíritree germinate using any kind of plant? Will my Spíritree work in Alaska? Is there any germination guarantee?
The Spíritree is designed to be used in locations that are naturally receptive to plant growth. They are designed to be planted along with seeds, seedlings or trees that are native to their specific planting area. We encourage users to pre-select a native seedling with a local nursery, in order to procure the best outcome for germination. Although Spíritrees will allow germination of most plants, we encourage the use of woody-tree species. Additionally, we recommend planting seedlings rather than seeds; seedlings, by virtue of the fact that they have achieved germination, tend to have a much higher chance of achieving maturity [i.e. of becoming a tree]. Plant growth is inherently uncertain, dependent on multiple factors including natural pre-disposition of the selected species, weather, soil quality, water and sunlight availability, among others. Although we can’t guarantee that all of these factors will be available in the selected planting location, we guarantee that our product is designed for optimal plant growth, and to be free of manufacturing defects. Spíritrees have been successfully planted as far north as Alaska and a Norway, and as far south as Tierra del Fuego [on the Argentinean side] and New Zealand, as well as in tropical locations in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Brazil, and other temperate locations throughout the 50 states, Western Europe, South Africa, and Japan. Nevertheless, it should be noted that geographic setting is of much lesser importance than appropriate plant selection.
Can Spíritrees be bought and then stored?
Spíritrees can be purchased an stored indefinitely, as long as they're kept close to room temperature in a dry area, much in the same way that one would store precious photographs or expensive electronic equipment.
Can Spíritrees be moved or replanted?
Spíritrees are designed to react with the humidity of the soil when planted. As such, its bottom shell would probably crumble after a few days of exposure to the ground and the elements, which is why users should carefully plan their site selection before planting.
Is the Spíritree a "green product"?
Of course! The Spíritree is a sustainable product designed to benefit the environment by preserving land, and promoting tree growth and reforestation.
Can the Spíritree be used with remnants of "promession"?
Yes. Promession is a method for disposing of human remains by freeze drying and pulverization, pioneered in Sweden. The essential remnants of promession are similar to those obtained from cremation, mainly made up of calcium and phosphate, and are naturally compatible with the use and planting of Spíritrees.
Can the Spíritree be used for commemorating pets?
The Spíritree has deliberately been purchased and used for commemorating pets on many occasions. Human remains from cremation are almost identical to those coming from larger pets [like cats and dogs, as well as horses and most other large mammals]. Thusly, the Spíritree is perfectly compatible for pet memorials.
Do Spíritree need to have cremated remains to be used or planted?
Spíritrees are designed to combine the remains of loved ones with the surrounding soil. Nevertheless, the vessels can certainly be planted without any remains, as long as the other criteria is satisfied, such as proper tree selection, good planting site with enough water, and light, etc. On occasions, families have selected to purchase single or multiple Spíritrees to plant memorial trees for previously buried relatives, or for loved ones whose remains have never been recovered. As such, Spíritrees have been planted with mementos or photographs of the deceased, as vessels of memory.
Can Spíritrees be customized?
Spíritrees can be written on, and its ceramic shell can be painted on a different color [at an additional cost].
The Spíritree is a biodegradable urn that transforms into a living memorial in the form of a tree
Copyright 2015 © Spíritree, Inc
Dimensions
Length: 38cm / 15in
Width: 30cm / 12in
Height: 15cm / 6in
Weight: 3.2kg / 7lbs