Here is a bit of cemetery lore: Campo de Estrellas originally started as an idea for a direct-to-consumer casket company. Co-founders Michael and Cindy had the idea of providing low-cost, eco-friendly caskets that could be flat-packed and shipped to people’s homes, along with assembly instructions. With their friend Brooke of MakeShift ATX, they came up with a design and created a prototype. During this process, they mentioned to Brooke their interest in natural burials, so she introduced them to her friend Sarah, a funeral director focused on natural burials in Austin. When Sarah told them about the concept of conservation cemeteries, they soon shifted gears and began to focus completely on that project. Their casket idea, while on hold for now, still intrigues them, especially when helping families make decisions about burial containers.
Prototype of the flat-pack casket
Burial containers, aka caskets or shrouds, are typically required for earth burials. As usual, natural burial is a bit different in this regard—but not so different that it’s a challenge to find one that aligns with the mission of being gentle on the earth. Funeral providers have come a long way in that regard, acknowledging the demand for burial containers that are biodegradable, beautiful, and affordable. Essentially, what makes a burial container suitable for natural burial is that it is intentionally biodegradable—meaning it is made out of natural material like wood or fiber and forgoes materials that prevent it from breaking down. Metal, fiberglass, and concrete are not allowed. However, a few nails to hold the wood together are generally seen as fine – we shouldn’t let perfect get in the way of good!
Choosing a burial container
There can be a tendency to dismiss the importance of the burial container decision, to fall back on the idea that “it’s just going in the ground.” That may be true, but burial containers can often serve as the last offering to our loved ones that speaks to their personality and demonstrates our care. Knowing that we wrapped them in love or enclosed them in a vessel that is beautiful shows grace and dignity, even when we can’t always see it. Functionally, burial containers help with storage and transportation of the body, particularly if there is a period of time between death and burial. Visually, burial containers create a softer image during a difficult time, and spiritually, can bring us into connection with our values in a tangible way. Wrapping our departed in a beloved quilt that brought them comfort during their lives or placing them in a hand-decorated casket covered in messages of love are just a couple of options as burial containers for natural burials.
Shrouded body
Aesthetics, along with price and availability, tend to determine the type of burial container chosen. There are some other considerations when deciding between a casket or shroud as well. Shrouds provide less structure, so the shape of the body will be visible during the burial. Many people find this comforting and embrace the opportunity to have this final image. When transporting a shrouded body, if there are no handles or straps sewn into the fabric, the body will be placed on a rigid board to assist in carrying them to the grave and placed on the lowering device. The board can be removed before burial or remain if it’s biodegradable. Caskets tend to be bulkier, so you will need to have a few people who are able to help carry the casket to the grave.
Where to purchase
Purchasing a casket or shroud can be done on your own or with the help of a funeral director. Some funeral homes offer a selection of natural burial containers. It’s important to remember that you DO NOT have to buy what they offer—it is perfectly legal to provide your own burial container. Our co-founder Cindy often cites her experience in this regard. When burying her mother, the family chose a lovely casket handmade by nuns at a monastery. The funeral home attempted to push back, saying they were not allowed to use a container not sold by them. Shrewd as ever, Cindy cited the Funeral Trade Commission rule that “The funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket or urn you bought online, at a local casket store, or somewhere else—or charge you a fee to do it.”
Wicker casket
We’re lucky today that there are many, many providers of natural burial containers available for you to choose from. A good place to start your search for one is on the Green Burial Council’s product provider list, which will give you an idea of what is available. You do not have to select a GBC-certified company, however. Any container that meets the standard of being biodegradable should be fine, whether it’s made by a company or by your own hand.