Your Guide to Funeral Planning | 12.11.2022

What Are Different Types Of Natural Coffins?

What Are Different Types Of Natural Coffins?

Reviewed By: Joshua Siegel

Cross Checked By: William Prout

What Is A Natural Coffin?

A coffin is a 6-sided funerary container that holds the body of the deceased. With funerals, most people like to take the route of either burial or cremation. If you’re someone who cares for the environment or if the deceased wants to give back to the earth, it’s important to consider a natural coffin. Made with sustainable and eco-friendly materials, a natural coffin will work for a burial or cremation situation without harming the earth. Natural coffins are biodegradable in nature, sometimes including ash too. You can have different parts of the coffin, like the interiors and the handles made of biodegradable materials too.
The different types of natural coffins

  1. Banana coffins: Made with dexterous banana leaf yarns, the coffin is made by weaving together the leaves. Banana coffins are spacious and can be customized to fit your needs. You can have the coffin made to the size that suits your needs or pick the shape of the coffin. You usually get a round-ended and traditional shape (square-shaped). 
  2. English willow coffins: English willow coffins are handmade coffins that use willow or wicker as the material. Soothing to the eyes, the English willow coffin is a sturdy and environmentally-friendly coffin that makes for a superb alternative to wooden coffins (due to its appearance and price). 
  3. Bamboo coffins: Bamboo grows throughout the year and makes for elegant and sustainable coffins. Since bamboo is hollow on the inside, bamboo coffins are generally lightweight and easy to transport from one place to another. Bamboo coffins are considered ‘true eco coffins’ as they are 100% natural and biodegradable. 
  4. Cane coffin: Cane is the kind of material that is known for its durability and strength. Cane coffins are of high quality and are made of eco-friendly materials that disintegrate with no trouble. Cane coffins are made of materials like wicker or rattan. The weave is different to what you would find in an English willow coffin
  5. Cardboard Coffin: Cardboard coffins are beautiful and eco-friendly coffins. Many people prefer buying a cardboard coffin for its affordability factor, especially when you’re looking to cremate the coffin along with the body. In cases like this, buying an expensive coffin does not make sense. Affordability doesn't mean low quality. Cardboard coffins can be of high quality and make for a sustainable choice. 
  6. Traditional coffin: Traditional coffins are basically wooden coffins. They are always in demand because of their ability to last for a long time. However, traditional doesn't have to mean unsustainable. You can find traditional coffins made of sustainable materials with ease. These are usually made of materials like oak, elm and pine. You can choose to have the fittings made of sustainable materials like rope or untreated wood instead of brass.
  7. Fabric Coffins: Fabric coffins are light and breezy-looking coffins that have a small carbon footprint. You can choose to have a coffin made of materials like organic cotton or have the material locally sourced. Look out for fabrics that use organic paint and dye on that. A natural fiber-based material like cotton or jute will do well for a fabric coffin. You can paint and dye the coffin yourself, along with friends and family members, to personalize the coffin to reflect your loved one.

What To Consider Before Buying A Coffin?

Looking for a coffin can be a stressful time. If you’re not sure about the kind of coffin or casket you’re looking for, you should find all the options on the internet. Surfing for coffins online can help you do your research better and reduce the time you spend looking for and deciding on a coffin. Consider things like coffin size, coffin weight limits, sustainable materials used to make the exterior, interior and other fittings, customization options and coffin liners.  

There are reliable websites like Titan Casket where you can find graceful caskets made of sustainable and eco-friendly materials. You should also know that you don’t have to buy a coffin from a funeral home or funeral director. To make the process easier, you can also have a look at The Funeral Rule to clear your mind of any doubts.