Biodegradable Coffins What Do You Think?

[canesisters]

I've always wondered about something. I hear every now and then about someone being cremated and wanting their ashes spread somewhere. And then whoever got stuck with that responsibility spends a LOT of time getting permission to do that.
Well..... I get why some places would require special permission or make a BIG deal out of it. I mean, having Uncle John's ashes dumped on his favorite seat at the ball park would be a bit startling to the next person who comes along and finds a couple of bits of teeth or something. But why does anyone even ASK about spreading ashes at gardens, in yards, on lakes, etc.?
What harm would it do? And who would even know? I mean... NOT in someone's yard without their permission! But, if Aunt Trudy LOVED the local botanical garden, what would it hurt to take a walk through one day and sprinkle her all over the place????

 

[Carol Dee]

Mom, Dad and 2 brothers are buried with grandparents and great grandparents in a small cemetery I drive by 2X a day! How often do I stop to visit. Not very. But like @murphysranch I think about them often. Possibly 2X a day as I drive by! And every morning when I see one of Dad's old walking buddies out for his morning stroll.

 

[Carol Dee]

I've always wondered about something. I hear every now and then about someone being cremated and wanting their ashes spread somewhere. And then whoever got stuck with that responsibility spends a LOT of time getting permission to do that.
Well..... I get why some places would require special permission or make a BIG deal out of it. I mean, having Uncle John's ashes dumped on his favorite seat at the ball park would be a bit startling to the next person who comes along and finds a couple of bits of teeth or something. But why does anyone even ASK about spreading ashes at gardens, in yards, on lakes, etc.?
What harm would it do? And who would even know? I mean... NOT in someone's yard without their permission! But, if Aunt Trudy LOVED the local botanical garden, what would it hurt to take a walk through one day and sprinkle her all over the place????

Agreed

 

[Carol Dee]

I just had an unsettling thought! Those biodegradable coffins.... eventually will do just that, Then what? Will there be a sink hole at the grave site?

 

[Beekissed]

Not if they have a vault, which even little country cemeteries are requiring now.

Mom is having direct cremation as well and her biodegradable coffin is sitting right in our living room as we speak....we purchased it before we decided on the cremation. I just happened to have a piece of memory foam that fit it exactly, so now it doubles as a bench for extra seating...that foam can go in the coffin to cushion any bony remains of whoever eventually uses it. We are going to put a hinge on the lid so we can store blankets in it as well as using it for a bench. They actually sell shelves for these so they can be used as a book shelf while they are waiting to be put to use.

This one came from CO, made from pine that had died from beetle infestation, has biodegradable fasteners and glue and is weight tested up to 600#. I reinforced the lid so it could be used as a bench, using the packing crate materials made from the same kind of pine.

Should have seen the FED EX guy's face when I opened the packing crate in front of him...he said it was the first time he'd delivered a coffin.

I've wanted to sell it but Mom kind of likes having it now, makes for a neat conversation piece, though many people won't get near it....I guess they think the coffin is somehow tainted because it was built to hold dead people? People are strange about death....seemed to think if they don't talk about it, it won't happen to them. Or, if they come close to a coffin it will rub death on them in some way. Strange.

It's not a coffin now...it's just a very large blanket chest...with handles on the side to make it easier for several people to carry....to any place it needs to be.

 

[Beekissed]

I have a lovely gully of No-Man's-Land between the neighbors and us that would be a nice, quiet resting place. . . and from the gully to Coon Creek to Turtle Creek to Rock River to the Ohio to the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico if you're interested.

Is that the land currently in dispute with said neighbors? Think they'd dig you up and toss you to YOUR side of the line? Sorry...couldn't help it, Red.

 

[Smart Red]

Mom is having direct cremation as well and her biodegradable coffin is sitting right in our living room as we speak....we purchased it before we decided on the cremation. I just happened to have a piece of memory foam that fit it exactly, so now it doubles as a bench for extra seating...that foam can go in the coffin to cushion any bony remains of whoever eventually uses it. We are going to put a hinge on the lid so we can store blankets in it as well as using it for a bench. They actually sell shelves for these so they can be used as a book shelf while they are waiting to be put to use.

It's not a coffin now...it's just a very large blanket chest...with handles on the side to make it easier for several people to carry....to any place it needs to be.

I love that! DS has been talking about building a coffin for the house -- for future use.

 

[so lucky]

I didn't realize it was illegal to toss your loved one's ashes somewhere. Guess I never gave it much thought. Like Cane says, it could be an issue if it wasn't just "to the wind" or into a body of water.
When I was working as a case manager in mental health, I had a client who kept the ashes of her dad in a jar at home. When she had extra money, she would hide it in there, because that was one place she knew her husband wouldn't go near.

 

[Carol Dee]

Dad built his coffin and Mom's. Both where so beautiful. I wish I had thought to get photos of them before they where put to use. He had them done years before they where needed and sat in the basement. He used walnut and oak I believe. The inside of the lid to his was inlayed to resemble a marsh scene complete with cattails and a blue heron. Mom's stitched a lovely counted cross stitch with roses and the words to her favorite hymn. They where PERFECT for them.

 

[Beekissed]

Those sound lovely!!! Almost a shame to put something like that into the ground.