Buried without a coffin

More and more people want to be buried without a coffin, and to enable saying farewell in a soft and accessible way. Although using a coffin at a funeral has been normalized, the need for a more personal alternative, such as a shroud, is growing rapidly.

Funeral without a coffin

Many people do not know this, but in the Netherlands, organizing burials without a coffin has been legal for many years. As an alternative, a shroud is used, which feels much less distant than a coffin with a firm lid. A shroud, in which the figure of the deceased remains close, is much more approachable. Although coffins seem to be the most common way to bury someone, the idea of ​​a coffin can be very confining. Using such designs, the idea of death itself can feel more confining, while it does not have to be. For a more personal and warm transition from the deathbed to the final resting place, people can opt for a shroud. Shrouds are easy to store, so you can always choose to buy a shroud in advance, for peace of mind.

Cremation without a coffin

Nowadays, cremations can also be organised without a coffin. There are various rules that apply here, such as that the body must be covered in such a way that they can be transported and carried hygienically. When using a shroud and a carrier for cremation, it might be necessary to use a Cremation input board. This is because not all carrier designs have a flat bottom, which is necessary for the cremation system to work. It is advisable to consult the crematorium you have in mind, as the regulations often differ per location.

Alternatives to a coffin

As indicated above, shrouds are often used as an alternative to a coffin. In short, a shroud is a rectangular cloth in which the body is wrapped. For the relatives, this shrouding ritual can be a pleasant and intimate act with which they can care for the deceased in this final phase. This ritual can also be spread out across multiple days, folding only one step each day. This is a beautiful symbol for the gradual process of saying farewell. In order to be able to use shrouds without a coffin, a carrier is required. Carriers, or stretchers, are rectangular boards or baskets on which a deceased can be placed and carried. Shrouds are usually made of natural materials such as cotton or silk, which makes them suitable for burial and cremation. In order to be buried in a natural burial ground, the coffin, shroud and clothing of the deceased must be made of naturally degradable material. To be sure, always inquire whether the crematorium or burial site has additional rules regarding shrouds.