A powdered composition useful for the preparation of a biodegradable material, said composition comprising 40 to 95 wt. % of a gypsum containing material that is environmentally acceptable; 0 to 60 wt. % of particles of at least one environmentally acceptable filler; and 3 to 10 wt. % of an environmentally acceptable binding agent. A pourable, water-containing, uncured and biodegradable composition comprising a mixture of a component A and a component B. The component A comprises: 40 to 95 wt. % of a gypsum containing material that is environmentally acceptable; 0 to 60 wt. % of particles of at least one environmentally acceptable filler; and 3 to 10 wt. % of an environmentally acceptable binding agent. The component B comprises water. The weight ratio component A: component B varies from 100:40 to 100:100. Biodegradable articles, methods and uses for preparing the pourable, water-containing, uncured and biodegradable articles (e.g. funeral urn).