Cremation or burial without a coffin

By law, it is not mandatory to be buried or cremated in a coffin. The only requirement is that the body is covered, and for cremation, a bier with a flat bottom and a raised edge is required. This is because otherwise the body cannot be pushed into the cremation oven. A sliding board can be used for this, which makes it possible to use all kinds of biers. More and more people are choosing the possible alternatives to say goodbye in a soft and accessible way. Although we are used to using a coffin at a funeral, the need for a more personal alternative is growing.

A covered body

The reason the body must be covered is that it must be possible to move it hygienically. On the way to a funeral or cremation, the body must sometimes be lifted and in this case it is necessary that the body is wrapped. For this, a biodegradable shroud or shroud must be used. Wrapped in this, the body must be placed on a stretcher so that it can be lifted properly during transport and during the funeral.

Why cremate or bury without a coffin?

Although a coffin seems to be the most common covering for burying someone, the idea of ​​a coffin is oppressive for some people. With this thought, death itself becomes more oppressive, 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. By only being wrapped in a cloth, the deceased is both neatly covered and still close by. In addition, the ashes of a shroud and stretcher are much less than the ashes of a full, solid coffin. As a result, the ashes that eventually end up in the urn contain less impersonal remains.

Farewell without a coffin

The option of using a shroud and bier has existed for years, and has been generally permitted since 1998. However, many people are still unfamiliar with this alternative. You often only come into contact with the possibilities surrounding a funeral when the moment is right. At such a moment, it is easier to choose something you are already familiar with. However, as soon as people hear about this more personal option in time, interest often arises immediately.

What is a bier?

Bier boards , also called biers or stretchers, are designed to replace a coffin at a funeral. During a laying out or farewell, the deceased, wrapped in a shroud, is laid out on this bier board. These biers are usually made with recesses on the side so that they can be lifted by them. There are biers made of woven willow twigs, willow branches or bamboo shoots, and plain wooden biers that can be painted if desired.

What is a shroud?

A shroud , also known as a funeral shroud or farewell shroud, is a cloth that you can wrap around someone for a gentle farewell. You can make this shroud as personal as you wish. The shroud can be painted on and mementos, such as notes or flowers, can be placed in the folds.

Wrapping a wader

When you organize a funeral without a coffin and use a shroud, you can wrap a loved one yourself . This is a beautiful symbolic ritual at the beginning of the grieving process. Stroke by stroke you wrap a loved one. By being able to decide for yourself to what extent the shroud is left open, there is the possibility to perform this farewell ritual at your own pace. For example, the shroud can be folded further and further over time or immediately pleated nicely for a wake.

Sustainable and naturally degradable

Choosing a farewell without a coffin also opens the way to sustainability. We make our shrouds from sustainable and organic materials. The same applies to the wood of our bier boards. For example, we use bamboo sticks and willow twigs for our bier boards, completely natural materials that are naturally biodegradable.

The road to sustainability

There are a number of regulations associated with organising a cremation without a coffin, such as the deceased being covered in such a way that they can be transported and carried hygienically. If a shroud and a stretcher are used for this, a sliding board may sometimes be required. This is because stretcher boards do not always have a flat bottom and raised edge, which is often mandatory in crematoria. It is important to consult with the crematorium you have in mind, as the regulations can differ per location.