In the near future, a peculiar type of coffin is invented. One that takes the genetic material of the corpse within it to produce a special tree. It doesn’t take long for cemeteries to no longer be barren. In fact, traditional tombstones end up being abandoned altogether. Why wouldn’t they?
The person’s memory is preserved — and reflected — in what comes out of the ground. It’s all you need.
A man visits such a grave — one belonging to his brother. It’s not reminiscing that brings him there. The local priest had filed a complaint in an effort to chop the tree down due to its… abnormal nature.
A dead tree.
That — somehow — still grows