The Beauty of Placenta Burial: Honouring the Organ That Sustained Life

A Timeless Tradition Celebrated by Families Around the World

Throughout history and across continents, the placenta has been revered not just as a physical part of pregnancy, but as something deeply symbolic — a bridge between worlds, a lifeline, and a sacred part of the birth journey. In many cultures, the placenta is so honoured that it is given a final resting place in a burial ceremony, surrounded by intention, love, and meaning.

As more parents seek to create personal, grounded rituals during and after birth, placenta burial is once again becoming a beautiful and meaningful way to honour the journey into parenthood, connect with nature, and acknowledge the incredible role this organ has played.

A Worldwide Tradition Rooted in Reverence

Placenta burial is not a new trend — it is a tradition that spans cultures, continents, and centuries.

• In Māori, Native American, and Aboriginal cultures, the placenta is buried to connect the child to the land — a symbolic act that ties them to their ancestors, their whakapapa, and the natural world.

• In Indonesia and Malaysia, families hold quiet, sacred ceremonies to bury the placenta, often placing offerings beside it and believing it continues to watch over the child.

• In Hmong culture, the placenta is considered the baby's "jacket" — their finest clothing — and is buried to ensure the soul has something to wear when it returns to the spirit world.

• In parts of Africa and Latin America, the placenta is buried with reverence as part of a celebration of life and protection.

• Some Eastern traditions see the placenta as the child’s twin, companion, or spiritual protector.

While beliefs vary, the underlying thread is the same: the placenta is not discarded, but rather respected, cherished, and returned to the earth in a way that reflects its importance and sacredness.

The Placenta’s Role: More Than Just an Organ

Scientifically, the placenta is one of the most incredible and complex organs in the human body — one that grows alongside your baby, and is designed solely for pregnancy.

From the moment it begins to form, the placenta takes on the vital role of:

• Delivering oxygen and nutrients from your body to your baby

• Removing waste and filtering toxins

• Producing key pregnancy hormones such as hCG, progesterone, and estrogen

• Acting as a barrier and protector, helping guard your baby from infections and harmful substances

• Offering emotional and hormonal support to help your body and baby thrive together

It nourishes, protects, and comforts your baby in utero — in many ways, it is your baby’s very first home, shield, and support system.

Why Families Choose to Bury the Placenta

In today’s world, where many aspects of birth can feel fast, clinical, or out of your hands, more and more parents are seeking to reclaim rituals that allow them to slow down and honour the sacredness of new life.

Here’s why placenta burial resonates so deeply:

• Connection to Land - Burying the placenta creates a tangible connection to place — a tree planted over it becomes a living monument to your child’s beginnings. For many, this is a deeply grounding, emotional experience.

• Link Between Generations - Families see placenta burial as a way to connect the past, present, and future — laying the organ that sustained your baby into the same soil that may nourish future life. It becomes a symbolic act of continuity and legacy.

• Emotional and Spiritual Significance - To some, the placenta holds a piece of the baby’s spirit or soul. Its burial is not just physical, but also emotional and symbolic — an act of letting go, of gratitude, and of love.

• Celebration of Birth - A placenta burial ceremony can be quiet and intimate, or filled with friends, family, and joy. It’s a way to celebrate your baby’s arrival with intention and presence, away from the rush of the hospital or the chaos of early parenting.

• Eco-conscious Parenting - Choosing to bury the placenta in a biodegradable cocoon aligns with the values of many modern parents who care deeply about the planet and wish to raise their children with that same mindfulness.

The Role of the Placenta Cocoon

To support this tradition, Earth Friendly Cocoons created a Placenta Cocoon — a gentle, respectful, and earth-friendly way to return the placenta to the soil.

Each cocoon includes:

• A biodegradable, handcrafted vessel made with natural materials

• A compostable inner bag and a white plastic bag for safe transport

• A placenta blessing, written to support families as they honour this moment

• A packet of wildflower seeds, encouraging new life and beauty to grow from this sacred act

• Guidelines and suggestions for your ceremony, to help you feel confident and connected during the process

Every cocoon is unique — just like every birth story. Adorned with shells, dried flowers and foliage, feathers or flax; all are designed with care and reverence.

Creating a Ceremony That Feels Right for You

Whether you choose to bury your placenta beneath a tree, in a pot plant that lives on your deck, in a family garden, or in a special place in nature, the ceremony is yours to shape.

You might:

• Read a poem or blessing

• Play a song that brings you peace

• Involve siblings, grandparents, or close friends

• Mark the site with a painted stone or small plaque

• Plant something symbolic — a fruit tree, rose bush, or native species

This moment is about intention, gratitude, and closure — and for many, it becomes a powerful chapter in their birth story.

Honouring the Organ That Gave Life

The placenta is more than biology. It’s more than medical waste. It is a reminder of the miracle of pregnancy, the power of the female body, and the deep connection between parent(s) and baby.

By choosing to bury it — to honour it — you are saying thank you in one of the most powerful ways possible.

If you feel drawn to this tradition, we invite you to explore Earth Friendly Cocoons Placenta Cocoons — created to support you in this sacred act, and to help you mark the start of your baby's life in a way that is gentle, respectful, and grounded in love.

👉 Learn More About Placenta Cocoons Here
Earth Friendly Cocoons - https://www.earthfriendlycocoons.co.nz/placenta-cocoons-for-burial