Compostable materials for a garden memorial?

January 1, 2020 8:01 PM

The community garden I frequent is mourning the loss of a wonderful cat who was king of the garden. He was an extraordinary kitty who was admired near and far. He was buried in the garden, and some folks have placed photos and knick-knacks near his grave. I'd like to leave a compostable/biodegradable memorial object there that is NOT a living plant.

Ideally something that could sit outside in the sun and rain and eventually become part of the garden soil. If it was something that resembled the kitty, or suggested a cat, that would be great. I can cross-stitch and have intermediate sewing skills. Any ideas?

P.S. The no-living-plant requirement is because I personally don't have input into what is planted at the garden, and the garden plots are frequently dug up and replanted.

posted by rogerroger to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

Cremated remains can be made into stones, which wear in nature just like regular stones. Here's one company that makes them: partingstone.com
posted by crush at 8:11 PM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]

Is there a branch or fence you could tie things to above his memorial? I am thinking of weathergrams, calligraphies meant to decay in place - cotton cloth and cotton embroidery thread would weather away eventually.
posted by clew at 8:12 PM on January 1, 2020

Or a wooden cat statue, if you feel like expanding your skills. You could tell us a story of this excellent cat in case it suggests a particular memorial.
posted by clew at 8:13 PM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]

Paper mache sculpture or plaque?
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 8:17 PM on January 1, 2020

This may be a little lateral but sometimes when I am making fruit or veg stuff and have compostable peels or pulps (this is especially true with a juicer) those scraps can be formed into something that could be shaped and molded. Alternately, something like a gourd or something substantial could be sculpted/shaped like a cat.
posted by jessamyn at 8:22 PM on January 1, 2020

Paper is going to compost quickly and easily. I suggest drawings of the splendid cat with a poem written beneath. If the there is a tree round about, you could also make brown paper ornaments with pictures of cat(s) on them. Hang them with brown twine, fill them with catnip.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 8:51 PM on January 1, 2020

How about a Wicker Cat?
posted by jamjam at 10:22 PM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]

A bouquet of catnip?
posted by corey flood at 11:55 PM on January 1, 2020 [7 favorites]

Best answer: What about a piece of found or reclaimed wood? Sand smooth. Someone among your acquaintance will own a woodburning kit. Draw or (carbon transfer basic lines from a photo) an image of kitty on wood. A poem or charming cat saying, or a quote about the cat, under the photo will give you a chance to practice your new woodburning skills. Don’t seal it. This will biodegrade over time.
posted by Nancy_LockIsLit_Palmer at 5:57 AM on January 2, 2020 [1 favorite]

I would get some natural clay (100% clay, be careful to not get something with polymers) and use that to make a little cat statue.
posted by pinochiette at 7:42 AM on January 2, 2020