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A standard funeral in New Zealand can cost thousands of dollars, and as living costs continue to rise, funeral expenses can place additional pressure on families.
This has led some people to bypass traditional funerals and all the trimmings and instead look for more cost-effective, personalised and environmentally friendly options, especially when choosing their coffin or burial vessel.
Cardboard
Cardboard coffins have become a popular choice for people looking for a more sustainable option. Made from biodegradable material, they are designed to break down naturally after burial. Plain cardboard coffins can also be personalised with artwork and written messages from friends and loved ones.
Wicker and bamboo
Woven burial baskets made from natural fibres have been used in various cultures throughout history. Today, wicker and bamboo coffins offer another biodegradable alternative to conventional timber coffins and are often chosen by people looking for a more natural burial option.
Burial shrouds
Burial shrouds are one of the world’s oldest methods of preparing the dead. A shroud is often made from natural fabric such as cotton, linen or wool and is created to cocoon, cover and protect the body in a dignified manner.
Mangawhai shroud maker Karen Williamson of Ake Ake Shrouds adorns her handmade shrouds with botanical prints, and families can provide special leaves or flowers to be incorporated into the design.
If a shroud is chosen for burial or cremation, a shrouding board or other firm surface is generally used to carry the body safely, although requirements vary between cemeteries and crematoria.
Wool casket
Wool caskets are another environmentally friendly choice. Christchurch-based Exquisite Wool Traders markets and sells Natural Legacy caskets and urns made using New Zealand wool.
Each casket uses three fleeces’ worth of New Zealand wool, fitted around a recycled cardboard frame reinforced with an olive wood baseboard. The caskets also use natural materials including cotton, jute and wood.
Build your own
If you are handy with tools and want to save some money, you can also build your own coffin. The New Zealand website DIY Funeral offers advice and plans for making a coffin, as well as information for families wanting to arrange aspects of a funeral themselves. Anyone planning to make their own coffin should check the requirements of the cemetery or crematorium where it will be used before starting, as specifications for dimensions, construction and materials can vary.
