Where can I be buried?

The law does not require your body to be buried or cremated in a casket. Only that the body must be covered. This is mainly for hygienic reasons, allowing for the body to be transported and moved without problems.

The Funeral Services Act states that in addition to a casket, other types of covers may be used, like a shroud. However, the casing must be suitable for burial or cremation and must not contain plastics, metals or any other harmful materials. The body must be completely decomposed within ten years.

Therefore, preference is given to natural materials that are permeable to air and water and can support the weight of the body. It is best to check with the cemetery or crematorium in question what their rules are for burial or cremation without a casket as this can vary by location.

You could choose not to be buried in a standard casket. Various alternatives add much more softness, atmosphere and something intimate to a funeral. The farewell remains dignified but takes on a much more personal character.

One reason not to choose a casket for a cremation is the amount of ashes. When cremated in a casket there will be substantially more ashes left then with a shroud or a willow basket. This makes the ashes more personal for the next of kin.

In addition, a funeral without a casket is also less harmful to the environment. The alternatives are smaller in size and the natural materials are broken down in nature.

A self-made or decorated casket can give a very personal meaning to a funeral. You can choose to make your own casket and decorate it with flowers, shells or even mosaics. And you could do this by yourself, or together with family members. There are many possibilities, as long as the box is not made of plastic, cartboard or metal. Any handles, ornaments and connecting elements such as nails and screws must comply with certain regulations.

Some requirements apply to standard boxes:

• The usual length of a casket is 15cm longer than the body;
• A casket must be a maximum of 55cm wide and 40cm high;
• Materials such as plastic, glass, cardboard or zinc are not allowed;
• Metal grips must be removable from the outside;
• The DIY casket should have a smooth bottom.

For some people, a funeral basket is a better fit than a traditional casket. These baskets are often made of wicker, willow or rattan and have a soft and natural look to them. There are funeral baskets with and without lids. Due to the use of light materials, the basket is easy to move and carry. There is also no need to cut down any trees to create a funeral basket. Making this a sustainable alternative that fits perfectly with a 'green' funeral. Nowadays, the range of funeral baskets is very wide. Several suppliers manufacture them from their organic cultivation.

The baskets are lined with unbleached cotton and pure wool. The mattress and pillow are often filled with hay, straw and/or lavender. This not only ensures a comfortable spot but also a calming atmosphere. You can find a variety of funeral baskets online, all of which have a unique look and suit different personal preferences and styles.

Since 1991 you can choose a laying out board and a shroud as a casing for a funeral. A shroud is a soft cloth or blanket made of durable materials. When wrapping the body in a shroud, you can see the body contours of the deceased. The deceased is then placed on a display board to facilitate the laying out and transport of the body. Shrouds are available in a variety of different colours, materials, shapes, and sizes, making it possible to choose a shroud that reflects the deceased's life or the wishes of the bereaved.

A funeral without a casket gives the opportunity for an extra personal farewell ritual. Bereaved families can wrap their loved ones in the shroud themselves, with each step in the wrapping symbolizing the release of the deceased. This ritual can be performed all at once, but can also be spread out over several days, with the shroud wrapped a little further around the body each day. On the day of the funeral, the shroud can be closed as a final salute, after which the deceased is ready to be buried or cremated.

What makes this casket unique is the use of mycelium, the underground root network of mushrooms. The result is the "first living coffin". The crate is completely biodegradable. The organic material is converted into valuable nutrients for nature, allowing new life to sprout. Inside the mycellium casket is a comfortable bed of moss and it can be closed with a jute ribbon. The use of this box is not only environmentally friendly but also contributes to the preservation of the ecosystem.

The Eco Pod casket is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option for a funeral or cremation. It is made from 100% recycled paper pulp, making it completely biodegradable. The inside is lined with cotton or hemp, making the upholstery of the Eco pod soft to the touch.

The Eco pod is available in different colours and designs, so there is something suitable for every personal style or taste. In addition, the box can also be provided with a personal message or image, making it that much more personal.

Some people think it's a shame that a beautiful casket is only observed for such a short time and disappears into the ground or oven after just a few days. It seems like a waste of all the work and material that has gone into it. The bookcase coffin is an alternative to this that can be purchased much earlier in life. Allowing the casket to have a use in your home before serving as a final resting place.