We have a simple rule at Eden Valley, everything that goes into the ground must be bio-degradable and as it breaks down it must not harm the soil. The coffins and shrouds that people are buried in also have to comply with this simple rule, so to help you chose an appropriate coffin or shroud here is some helpful information.
The majority of coffins we see at Eden Valley are wicker, which means they are a plant material woven together to create a strong casket. The most common material used for wicker coffins is willow but we also see bamboo, seagrass and hazel coffins. These are all great materials to use as they are sustainable and aesthetically beautiful.
Cardboard coffins are also regularly used at Eden Valley. These can be very simple plain cardboard or sometimes they are extravagant with printed designs. Some of the most memorable cardboard coffins are hand painted by friends and family. A recent example being an amazing coffin painted with the stars and constellations of the cosmos. A simple cardboard coffin can also be very cost effective, so if there is a limited budget, cardboard coffins are worth considering.
We do occasionally have people buried in solid wooden coffins. These have generally been pine coffins but any wood is fine as long as it is not varnished, as this will eventually leech out toxic waste into the soil. We have even had a few D.I.Y wooden coffins using reclaimed wood but make sure you know what your doing before giving it a try.
We have recently had our first mycelium coffin interned at Eden Valley. This is essentially a living coffin which uses fungal threads called mycelium to grow a coffin. When the coffin is buried the mycelium will start to filter out into the soil and its threads will eventually attach to the roots of plants and trees. This is a fundamental part of tree and plant growth as the mycelium and plants provide nutrition for each other as well as a host of other benefits that scientists are only beginning to fully comprehend.
Some people chose to be buried in a shroud rather than a coffin. This can be a simple cover wrapped around the person, or can be a woven blanket that creates a beautiful cacoon.
For more information on coffins and shrouds please click on the link below, or you can call or email us and Amy can help you with any concerns you may have.
Please click here for further information on some approved coffin suppliers.