Coffin Choice

A vessel of final transportation perhaps. Or maybe a fully enclosed luxury bed which will last for eternity.

Which ever way you look at it when we die we will end up in a coffin. We may be cremated or we may be buried. So who does the coffin serve best?

My answer is the people we leave behind.

Think about it. A coffin or casket is either buried or burned. No one is going to see it again. The deceased gets no value out of it. The cost is usually quite high. So why do we spend so much money on something which is going to have such a short lifespan?

The answer is simple. The friends and family of the deceased want to know that they provided the best they could afford for their loved one right to the end.

Imagine how many lives could be saved if the money spent on this part of the funeral ritual was donated to medical research instead. Perhaps then we would need fewer coffins.

People want to see their loved ones make a grand exit from this life and the vessel which transports them must be the best they can afford. Reminds me a bit of the ancient Egyptians. Solid gold caskets and treasure to take to the next world.

Your local funeral director will be able to supply you with your prefered choice of coffin or casket. Just visit www.obits.com.au to find a local funeral director.

Gold, stainless steel, mahogany, oak, pine, glass, perspex, recycled timber, cardboard coffin or cardboard casket - you name it, funeral directors can supply it.

Cardboard Coffins and Cardboard Caskets

The use of these types of coffins and caskets remain somewhat controversial. Advice has it that, provided these caskets or coffins are manufactured according to industry standards, then use of recycled cardboard is perfectly legal and acceptable in Australia. The benefits to the environment are obvious - as they are made from recycled materials and are biodegradable they are environmentally friendly.

Apart from being eco-friendly, there may be a slight cost saving, depending on the retailer. Some manufacturers will sell directly to the public (such as OnEarth Australia who manufacture 100% recycled cardboard caskets) whereas others can only be purchased through your funeral director (such as LifeArt). Both caskets and coffins are suitable for either burial or cremation, but may be limited to a 100 or 110 kilogram weight restriction.

LifeArt's coffins can also be personalised by Life Art or decorated by family members (using certain types of art materials).

Another option for the personalisation of a coffin or casket is Creative Coffins (who predominantly serve the Queensland area). Creative Coffins will upholster the external suface of a traditional coffin using hand painted, coloured and textured fabrics.

You can search for manufacturers and suppliers of coffins and caskets on our  funeral industry directory