Burying ashes under trees: the proposal that will transform Palma's cemetery

PalmThe Municipal Funeral Company (EFM) has launched the Forest of Life project, an initiative that will transform part of the cemetery into a new space dedicated to memory, nature, and sustainability. This was presented on Tuesday at a press conference by the president of the EFM and Councilor for Infrastructure, Accessibility, and Industrial Parks, Belén Soto, accompanied by the manager of the municipal company, Carlos Martínez de Tejada. The project has a budget of approximately €523,000. According to the Deputy Mayor, the project, which has already received all the necessary approvals from the Urban Planning and Environment departments, incorporates a dual social and environmental focus. "On the one hand, it will allow us to reduce and offset the carbon footprint associated with funeral services through tree planting. On the other, it proposes a new way of understanding memorial spaces, integrating the memory of the deceased into a living, natural environment that respects the natural surroundings," Soto emphasized.

The Forest of Life will be located on a 1.17-hectare plot surrounding the Son Valentí funeral home, between the ring road and the Riera stream. This strategic location will also strengthen Palma's green space and extend the city's urban forest. The project envisions the creation of a forest composed of species adapted to the Mediterranean climate. A sustainable system for depositing treated ashes will be implemented, placing them at the tree roots.

Terracotta container

The method consists of burying a terracotta container next to the tree. Human ashes, treated according to a specific protocol, will be placed inside beforehand. Families will be able to pour water into the container, allowing the components of the ashes to be released gradually and absorbed by the tree's roots as nutrients.

"This system, used for over 4,000 years as a slow and localized irrigation technique, is notable for its high water efficiency, as the container dispenses water according to the tree's needs," Belén Soto emphasized.

Each tree will have an individual identifier, allowing family members and loved ones to locate the memorial within a carefully maintained natural environment that respects the ecosystem. Information panels will also be installed to guide visitors and ensure that all practices carried out in the space are respectful of the trees and the surrounding environment.

Environmental Objective

For its part, the Forest of Life was created with a strong environmental objective. Among its main goals are calculating and offsetting the carbon footprint of funeral services, in line with Palma's Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan; creating public climate shelters; promoting circular economy initiatives; and fostering greater environmental awareness among citizens, including through educational activities linked to this space. The proposal includes planting more than 300 trees, which will contribute to significant CO₂ absorption and the improvement of the urban environment. The project has a budget of €523,380 and will be developed in phases. The first phase will begin with the planting of the first trees this autumn, coinciding with the planting season, and the adaptation of the paths with gravel to begin shaping this new space. "With the Forest of Life, the Municipal Funeral Company and the Palma City Council are reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and a greener city model, while offering citizens an innovative space to remember their loved ones in harmony with nature," Soto concluded.