As we grow more conscious about the perils of the planet and the effects of climate change, millions of people are daily changing their attitudes towards our perceived modern way of living. Many are searching for alternative ways to live sustainable lives enhanced by good earth friendly design.

“People are thinking of the environment, even in death.”

This means that environmentally friendly burials have become increasingly popular, with actress Lynn Redgrave, chef Keith Floyd and Body Shop founder Anita Roddick all being buried in “eco-friendly” coffins. The problem is that traditionally these consisted of either wicker baskets often imported from China , (apparently known in the trade to “creak, squeak and leak” ) or flimsy cardboard boxes which often collapse.

The eco-friendly coffins are lined with natural jute, also used for the handles. The coffins can carry up to 30 stones in weight with a special super-size version capable of holding up to 53 stones.

It takes 70 tabloid newspapers to make one coffin.

The new eco-coffin is the brainchild of earth friendly undertaker Jeremy Clutterbuck who after 2 years of design development and trials (even a few ‘cremations’), has developed a viable green alternative to traditional burials and cremations.

Jeremy Clutterbuck, whose family has been funeral directors for six generations, said:

“I am passionate about minimising our effect on the environment and everything I do I try to do in an environmentally friendly way. This coffin is very substantial and sturdy. This is truly a professional product which has taken vision and determination.”

In the end… three companies collaborated to create Sunset coffins; an innovative green company based in England who present this elegant biodegradable coffin made entirely from recycled newspapers.

This truly eco-friendly coffin is already a sensation in the UK and is causing a stir amongst veteran funeral directors in Britain.

Colin Liddell who is the longest-serving editor in the UK funeral press, (also holds a Diploma in Funeral Directing and is a Fellow of the Institute of Civil Funerals) had this to say about the coffins:

“The product is truly innovative; it is unique in its composition. No other product boasting green credentials can better the material from which it is made. Many other alternative coffins are made in other parts of the world, and this presents issues over carbon usage.”

This is a great example of the kind of green forward thinking that will start to shift our attitudes and default way of thinking toward a much brighter sustainable future.

For more information about the eco-coffins visit Sunset coffins.

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