Designing an Ecological Death: Ways of Giving the Body Back to Nature

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master_Hong_Jimin_2025.pdf (7.67 MB)

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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Date

2025-07-31

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Contemporary Design

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Degree programme

Master's Programme in Design

Language

en

Pages

107

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Abstract

This thesis investigates the current funeral systems to explore considerations for expanding ecological practices from a systemic and reflective design perspective. Despite the growing attention to environmental living, the discourse on ecological passing is limited. Considering that funeral rituals vary depending on socio-cultural dimensions, this thesis takes a case study approach, delving into the Republic of Korea (South Korea) as a first step. Increased cremations over the decades led to columbarium shortages, driving cities to seek alternative options, such as scattering ashes in nature. With attention to materiality and environmental aspects through a lens of design, this study aims to explore ways of giving our body back to nature in more environmentally friendly ways. Through a systems thinking, reflective, and critical design perspective, this study analyzes the current funeral system in Korea to identify challenges and opportunities for environmental burial practices. By conducting a mixed method approach, including a comprehensive literature review, 15 interviews with experts and stakeholders, site visits and observations, analysis of existing survey and data, and through a giga mapping, this study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of the systemic interrelations between body and nature to identify gaps and opportunities. To explore ways of being part of the ecological cycle after our death, the study explores the critical role of design in understanding, shifting, and creating a culture of green death transition. Findings of this study provide insights for considerations to support decision-making for the ecological passing of individuals. Moreover, the study highlights the need for continuous Environmental Impact Assessment on death practices by calling on decision-makers, scientists, and researchers to pay attention and take action in advancing a sustainable death care system. Ultimately, this study emphasizes the critical role of ecological design thinking and environmental governance in supporting the transition toward environmentally sustainable funeral systems.

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Supervisor

Lohmann, Julia

Keywords

sustainability, funeral system, systems thinking, speculative design, green death practices, environmental burial​

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202508256749

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[master] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS