The scarcity of available land has long been a pressing issue in our daily lives, and the shortage of funeral space is becoming an increasingly global concern. My project seeks to address this problem by exploring the cultural and religious origins of burial traditions. Through my research, I discovered one concept within the Bible, which reflects on the cycle of life and death. The concept of “returning to one’s roots, and the soul finding its way home” symbolizes the Christian belief that life is a gift from the world, and in death, the soul should return to where it truly belongs.

Building upon this idea, I began investigating alternative ways for individuals to achieve the idea of “returning home” after death. My research into biblical symbolism led me to the spiritual significance of the moon in Christianity, where it is often associated with the mother figure. As every human being is born from mother’s womb, the journey to the moon after death can be reimagined as a return of their soul. Inspired by this perspective, I propose a new burial ritual—one that reinterprets the traditional notion of “returning to one’s roots” by extending it beyond the Earth.

Given that a significant portion of Europe’s population identifies as Christian, my project is composed of two architectural components, each playing a distinct role. The first is a terrestrial facility located at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which serves as a site for farewell ceremonies, body processing, and astronomical observation. The second is an architecture situated within the Tycho crater, designed as both a memorial repository for remains and a research station for lunar exploration.

The core of this project aims to address the contemporary challenge of burial space scarcity through the lens of Christian philosophy on life and death, while also emphasizing environmental responsibility. By implementing an eco-friendly aquamation process, the project also seeks to reduce the pollution associated with traditional cremation. Moreover, the lunar memorial site offers a space in remembrance, allowing families the opportunity to visit and honour their loved ones. By doing so, the project upholds the principles of human spirituality, and sustainability—redefining the way we perceive the journey beyond life.