Eco Coffins: A Sustainable Choice for a Natural Farewell
For many families, choosing how a loved one is laid to rest is about more than tradition, it’s about values. An eco coffin offers a gentler alternative to conventional caskets, returning the body to the earth without leaving anything harmful behind.
Eco coffins are made entirely from sustainable, biodegradable materials, with no plastic, metal, or toxic finishes. They’re suitable for both burial and cremation, and they’re a requirement, not just an option if you’re planning a natural burial.
Whether you’re planning ahead for yourself or arranging a farewell for someone you love, here’s what to know about eco coffins, how they fit into a natural burial, and where to find them in New Zealand.
What is an eco coffin?
An eco coffin (sometimes called a green coffin or eco-friendly casket) is designed to break down naturally and safely once buried. Unlike conventional caskets, which can include fibreboard, plastic linings, metal fittings, and toxic varnishes, eco coffins are made entirely from biodegradable, sustainable materials.
Common options in New Zealand include:
- Woven plant fibre – willow, bamboo, seagrass, or banana leaf, hand-woven into a sturdy, biodegradable shell
- Untreated, sustainably sourced timber – solid wood or veneer, free from glues and finishes that would slow decomposition
- Recycled cardboard – lightweight, often plain or able to be decorated, and fully compostable
- Wool – felted New Zealand wool caskets, gentle to the touch and naturally biodegradable
- Shrouds – natural fibre shrouds in linen, silk, cotton, or wool, for those who prefer to forgo a coffin altogether
To qualify as genuinely eco-friendly, a coffin needs to avoid plastic components and synthetic glues or sealants that won’t break down in the soil.
Building and personalising your coffin
Flat-pack coffins are becoming a popular option in New Zealand for people looking to reduce funeral costs, have more involvement in the farewell process, or choose a simpler, more environmentally conscious approach. A flat-pack coffin is supplied as pre-cut panels that are assembled at home or by the family, much like flat-pack furniture.
Cardboard and plain wood coffins in particular leave room for personalisation. Decorating a coffin can be a meaningful way to celebrate someone’s life and give children, family and friends a chance to participate in the farewell. You could paint the coffin in their favourite colour, use handprints from children and grandchildren or invite guests to write messages, memories, or farewells directly on the coffin.
Budget friendly eco coffins
In New Zealand, eco and cardboard coffins are usually among the cheapest coffin options, though there is a wide range depending on materials and craftsmanship. The cost of a cardboard coffin starts at $400 and a flat-pack plywood coffin from $550, whereas a solid wood coffin might cost up to $8000.
A traditional funeral in New Zealand can cost $8,000 – $15,000+, while a direct cremation with a cardboard or flat-pack coffin may reduce costs significantly, bringing the total closer to $2,000–$5,000, depending on service choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Without metal hardware, synthetic finishes, or heavy fibreboard, many eco coffins cost less than conventional caskets.
Yes. Certified natural burial grounds have specific requirements around materials, so it’s worth confirming with the cemetery or your funeral director before purchasing.
Yes, most eco coffins, including woven, cardboard, and untreated timber options are approved for cremation as well as burial. Check with the supplier or your funeral director to confirm.
In practice the terms are often used interchangeably. The key markers of a genuinely eco-friendly coffin are the absence of plastic and metal components and the use of glues or sealants that break down naturally in soil.
Where to find eco coffins in New Zealand
Several Go With Grace directory members specialise in sustainable eco coffins, caskets, and shrouds:
Zenith Eco-Coffins makes biodegradable, plant-woven coffins as an affordable alternative to conventional fake-wood, toxic caskets. Suitable for both burial and cremation, with shipping available New Zealand wide.
A Graceful Undertaking, based in Whangārei, offers a full range of eco and locally made caskets alongside natural fibre shrouds handmade from hemp, organic cotton, and linen, plus a rental casket option for cremation.
Morris & Morris Funerals provides eco funerals and a casket range handcrafted from sustainable materials, guiding families across Northland through natural burial options including the Maunu Cemetery natural burial area.
Outside the Box provides a range of low cost flat-pack and assembled coffins and caskets direct to the public. Made in New Zealand from 100% biodegradable, recycled cardboard. No plastic. No metal. No MDF.
Ake Ake Shrouds offers sustainably made plant-dyed funeral shrouds, hand crafted in Aotearoa. Each piece is a functional artwork in gentle colours and plant prints.
Farewell planning at Dying Matters Week
Farewell planning is a regular feature of Dying Matters Week, held each September around New Zealand. Past programmes have included coffin-making and decorating workshops, and presentations from natural burial grounds and funeral directors explaining all your options when it comes to choosing a casket, coffin or shroud.
Start the conversation with your family, keep an eye on Dying Matters Week 2026 events happening near you.
