A New Trend in Caskets: Biodegradable Coffins

With the world population growing, and available land diminishing, our society needs to consider some alternatives to the methods of burial that we now employ. There is nothing “natural” about the way we dispose of bodies of the United States. Over 90,000 tons of metal, and 1.6 million tons of concrete are used annually for burial purposes. Sadly, all of that metal and concrete is not going anywhere. Mahogany and steel caskets are built for durability, and specially made to withstand the elements, as well as then being encased in watertight vaults.

According to Cynthia Beal, founder of the Natural Burial company, our modern cemeteries are basically, “parking lots for the dead.” Slowly, but surely there are alternatives being made available, and for the first time in many years, there are new trends in caskets. According to a recent story in the New York Times Magazine, Ecopod is a biodegradable coffin, that will allow a body to decompose naturally, and will actually add nutrients to the earth in the process.

It looks like a giant seedpod, and is made of all natural recycled paper, plywood, bamboo, and handwoven Somerset willow. It can be decorated in a variety of silk screen patterns, or in gold leafing. If desired, the coffin can be lined with feathers in shades of blue or cream. They are quite attractive, and come in a wide assortment of colors. As the biodegradable coffin disintegrates, it provides mulch for a garden or nearby tree. It is the ultimate in recycling.

Hazel Selena, creator of the concept, has always been a natural birth proponent, and feels that the end of life should also be natural. “Green funerals” do not use metal caskets, vaults, or embalming. Her company was originally started in England, but now the Ecopod is also available in the United States, through the Natural Burial Company, in Portland. A showroom is available, and Cynthia Beal hopes that there will soon be more of the natural burial parks, sometimes referred to as woodland eco-cemeteries.

Many of them use commemorative trees, or simple flat stones, instead of traditional headstones. The goal is to create a natural woodland, which in 30 years will not look like a graveyard. They could then be used as a natural reserve. As in traditional burial grounds, the person’s name and grave location must be recorded. Presently, there are only a few, but the Green Burial Council has reported that up to 40 funeral homes in the U. S. will be certified green next year, and there will be many more added in the future.

In April of this year, the first London Green Funeral Exhibition was held, and exhibitors displayed a variety of biodegradable coffins, shrouds and jewelry. Workshops were held, as well as a panel discussion. Attendees found the coffins to be both beautiful and creative. In addition to cardboard, bamboo, and willow, there were also banana leaf and water hyacinth burial boxes. Cotton and woolen shrouds were also on display.

With the ecological, financial, and emotional concerns about traditional funerals these days, in the end, we may find ourselves returning to a more natural way to rest in peace.

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/magazine/09_6_coffin.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/02/ecopod_green_co.php
http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/london_green_funeral_exhibition.html