YouOughtaKnow: Ecoffins
Ecoffins are designed to “biodegrade along with the body,” says Joanna Passarelli.
By The Denver Post
The truly dedicated environmentalist can celebrate Earth Day eternally in an Ecoffin, a sustainably-designed biodegradable casket that two Telluride women are marketing.
First introduced in the United Kingdom, the Ecoffins are made of bamboo, pandanus (a sea grass alternative), willow crowns or banana sheaves, with cotton shrouds. The caskets (online at ecoffinsusa.com) are designed to “biodegrade along with the body,” marketing director Joanna Passarelli says. She and partner Kathryn Joseph began shipping the Ecoffins last month. — Claire Martin, The Denver Post
Q: How do you pronounce “Ecoffin” without making it sound like a virtual coffin?
A: Well, some people do say E-coffin. Some say Eco-coffin.
Q: And you’re based in Telluride?
A: Yes, although the warehouse is in Montrose, for economic reasons. There’s more warehouse space in Montrose.
Q: How much does an Ecoffin cost?
A: They start at $800, depending on the size. They go up to an 8-foot coffin that can hold 325 pounds.
Q: And how are they selling?
A: So far, we’re selling to funeral homes. Consumers are still learning that we exist. We’ve been shipping about one a week. We’ve gotten more response from New Mexico, where they’re used to green ceremonies. And we’ve had interest from Jewish and Muslim communities. We’ve been shipping nationwide.
Q: How do people feel about being buried in a biodegradable container?
A: If you think about it, we’re filling our land with toxins by burying people in tons of concrete and bronze and metal every year. A natural burial makes more sense.
Q: Aren’t they squeamish about the idea of a casket that disintegrates within a year?
A: The people who want to go back into the ground naturally recognize the fact that their skeleton won’t disappear. If wild animals go back into the earth, why shouldn’t we?
First introduced in the United Kingdom, the Ecoffins are made of bamboo, pandanus (a sea grass alternative), willow crowns or banana sheaves, with cotton shrouds. The caskets (online at ecoffinsusa.com) are designed to “biodegrade along with the body,” marketing director Joanna Passarelli says. She and partner Kathryn Joseph began shipping the Ecoffins last month. — Claire Martin, The Denver Post
Q: How do you pronounce “Ecoffin” without making it sound like a virtual coffin?
A: Well, some people do say E-coffin. Some say Eco-coffin.
Q: And you’re based in Telluride?
A: Yes, although the warehouse is in Montrose, for economic reasons. There’s more warehouse space in Montrose.
Q: How much does an Ecoffin cost?
A: They start at $800, depending on the size. They go up to an 8-foot coffin that can hold 325 pounds.
Q: And how are they selling?
A: So far, we’re selling to funeral homes. Consumers are still learning that we exist. We’ve been shipping about one a week. We’ve gotten more response from New Mexico, where they’re used to green ceremonies. And we’ve had interest from Jewish and Muslim communities. We’ve been shipping nationwide.
Q: How do people feel about being buried in a biodegradable container?
A: If you think about it, we’re filling our land with toxins by burying people in tons of concrete and bronze and metal every year. A natural burial makes more sense.
Q: Aren’t they squeamish about the idea of a casket that disintegrates within a year?
A: The people who want to go back into the ground naturally recognize the fact that their skeleton won’t disappear. If wild animals go back into the earth, why shouldn’t we?