What You Can Put In The Coffin
What you can place into the coffin depends on the type of burial or cremation your loved one is having. You’ll need to consider where the body is going before placing anything permanently in a coffin. With a standard burial there are fewer rules about what can go in the casket, but there are restrictions for natural burials and cremations.
What can you put in a coffin that is being cremated?
In the case of cremation, everything that goes into the coffin must be combustible, non-toxic and not likely to create excessive smoke or a dangerous environment for the crematory staff. The following items are prohibited:
- Alcohol
- Aerosols
- Batteries (including battery powered tools, toys, or devices)
- Radioactive materials
- Metal (eg diecast keepsakes or models). This doesn’t include the nails or staples of the coffin itself, or medical implants.
- Tools (eg: gardening trowels, forks, hammers, knives, or hobby tools)
- Helmets or hardhats
- Lighters
- Polystyrene
- Flower arrangments and greenery
- Rubber, including rubber boots
- PVC plastic
- Electronics (eg: computers, phones, radios, gadgets)
- Ammunition, or any explosives
- Glass (eg: bottles or jars)
- Sawdust
- Wetsuits
- Surfboards
- Motorcycle leathers
- Jewellery – if it contains glass
- Prosthetics
Putting sentimental items in the coffin
Consider the permanence of burial before placing treasured items in the casket. For example, you may want to make copies of photos or letters if you’re wanting to bury the originals with a loved one. Placing special mementos or treasured items in the coffin with your loved one to carry with them on their journey can be an important part of saying goodbye. Books, photos, and flowers are often placed inside the casket; some cultures also place food and money inside.
Natural burials
Natural or eco-burials mean following strict guidelines to help the natural processes of returning the body to the soil. This means only completely biodegradable items, without any chemical treatment can go inside the casket.
The main focus for a natural burial is that everything taken into the site, including the coffin or shroud, clothing and anything else left with the body, can return to the earth through the natural process of decomposition.