funerals and coffins

[sammmo]

In these days of recycling everything why do we have to buy coffins for everyone who dies and are going to be cremated .. why does'nt the undertakers have a nice ornate coffin that the bodies can be put in and taken out of at the crematoriam.. and just charge for religning the coffin each time.. why burn whole coffins each time?

[poohshunny]

A cardboard box would do me nicely thanks. After all, I'm not going to know anything about it.

[standian]

I'd guess because that doesn't make as much money for undertakers. But there are some options around cardboard or willow coffins which are meant to be greener and more environmentally friendly. I've made it clear to everyone that I want a cheap cardboard coffin - waste of money and resources otherwise.

[sammmo]

the undertaker that we used when my father inlaw was cremated actually refuses to use the cardboard ones.. he thought it was disrespectful. I could see his point in some respects but if they used a reusable nice coffin that you actually hire for the day.. that to me is a good idea..what do you think?

[standian]

I don't know why but there is something about using a second hand coffin that does not appeal! And I don't know why because I want cheap cardboard and it's not like I'll know so I do appreciate the discrepancy there in what I am saying.

Who is the undertaker to decide what is respectful or not for your family member? I don't know if this was the case with your relative, but with mine, they know my wishes so they will know how to respect them, not the undertaker. I still suspect it comes back to cash and profit margins!

[naomi24]

There's quite a long discussion here - including links to companies who make reusable coffins.

http://www.theanswerb...Question882535-1.html

[poohshunny]

I reckon it's a pretty good idea sammmo. Makes perfect sense to me. More often then not couples (mostly grooms though) hire outfits for their wedding day. Why not hire a coffin for a funeral?

[Kim A]

I've never really understood why one has to bury or cremate a body in a box anyway. Carry it into the church or crem in one, sure, just for ease of transportation, but as Sammmo suggests, make it re-useable. Bring back winding sheets or shrouds as well and then there's no problem with squeamish people seeing dead bodies at the commital. Normal coffins give off huge amounts of toxins when burnt (so I am told), so they obviously also leave behind traces in the ground, which has to be bad for the environment.

[sammmo]

naomi24s link is just what i was thinking of..but you could go one step further and have the outer coffin lined with say an aluminium case. slide the body into the coffin..have the service..the coffin is taken through the back of the crem and the body removed then the coffin could be pressure washed ready for the next funeral..and save relatives alot of money and save the enviroment at the same time..

[naomi24]

sammmo, some of the coffins in that link are made of wood with a cardboard interior, and the wooden outer coffin is re-usable.

[RATTER15]

I wouldnt be seen dead in a cardboard coffin!!!!