DanCof eco-casket
How many of you have planned their funeral arrangements? I know. What a creepy conversation. I guess Halloween is coming and thoughts of vampires, caskets, and tombstones are dancing in my head. But seriously, have you thought of how we kill trees in the name of beautiful caskets that are ultimately buried in the ground? Acccording to the Casket & Funeral Supply Association,
“It takes 130 to 150 board feet of lumber to produce a typical hardwood casket. Some caskets require more wood if they are made of 3″ or 4″ plank material. While normally in the third cost quartile, hardwood caskets are sometimes the most expensive caskets manufactured. Solid hardwood caskets are manufactured like fine furniture. They are assembled by craftsmen; sanded for painting or staining. Some have hand-rubbed finishes.”
But with the world going green, why should we veer towards green funerals? Recently I spotted a discussion in a Linkedin group about eco- products. Bendt Skov of DanCof replied about his company’s environmentally friendly caskets and urns made out of a recycled product. The first step toward creating green funerals.
But, I questioned his product. Is he serious or are we talking cardboard box here?
So, via email I interviewed this ingenious inventor. I was not disappointed.
Eco-Trapezoid Urn
Tell me about your products?
I make 2 different coffins rectangular and trapezoidal, and urns.
How will your coffins and urn create a green funeral?
About 36 millions coffins are made by tree around the world yearly. I would like to replace many of those with a PULP coffin instead, to save many trees around the World, since mine PULP coffins are made by long fibred recycled paper.
Editor’s note: Bendv sent me a PDF about his products, and I wanted to include the following statement as to why his company thinks we need a new alternative to our burial practices.
“BENEFITS AND CONCEPT FOR PULP COFFINS
- In most countries it is required to use a coffin when a person is dead
- Most coffins are produced from chipboard, MDF or wood and contain a portion of formaldehyde and other environmental pollutants
- The aforementioned coffins are expensive to manufacture compared to Pulp coffins and not made from recycled materials
- Most coffins are very heavy, often exceeding 35 kg, which results in a coffin with a deceased person easily get over 120 kg, a Pulp coffin weighs approx. 6 kg.
- It is often the survivors wish for a nice ‘last piece of furniture to the deceased’
- 75% of the deceased is burnt and 25% buried, therefore it must be environmentally friendly recycled materials, a coffin was produced by that does not consume natural resources
- Coffins are usually produced in the same country as they are used, but to wooden coffins makes great demands on transportation, while Pulp coffins do not make major demands on transportation as they can be stacked, resulting in approx. 10-12 times more in the same place.
- Pulp coffins will be mass-produced and can be produced cheaply and distributed into a larger market at a price lower than the known wooden coffins.”
He further states:
“Our research shows that out worldwide by 6.8 billion people die every year 36 million, who use coffins (that’s ex. Muslims, Hindus, partly Jewish and others who do not use coffins), and if we get just 1% in this market must be produced 360 thousand coffins a year. Earth’s population will increase by about. 35% over the next 40 years, which will provide greater and greater consumption of coffins, whatever crises ups and downs.”
How did you come up with an idea on sustainable coffins and urns?
Bendt standing by an Eco-Casket
It was a sort of revelation. I was started to think about how to help the Earth, since I did not do it a lot before (I’m 62 now) and my daily thinking came up with this one day.
I have a farm in the country side, beside my job. I was sitting at lunch time reading the newspaper. My wife came in, and she had been at the nabo and bought some fresh eggs.
When she set the eggs on the table I was just at the death notices in the newspaper. And then idea came, why not make a coffin like egg trays in stead of using all that wood?
Of course my coffins are completely different and much nicer surface, like a woooden and painted one.
The years went with studying how to check and test the coffin and to get it produced like i wished it. Could not find any in China or other countries in the world. Then about a year ago I I found that a Danish company did take some patents in doing moulded board/PULP differently than others on the world market. After about a year working with them we are close to do the production.
Key Point of the Caskets and Urns
Editor’s note this is a great excerpt from the PDF summing up the eco-qualities of the caskets and urns so to be the catalyst to creating a green funeral.
1. The coffin is made of molded pulp
2. The coffin weight is approx. 6kg against wooden coffins from approx. 20kg and over
3. The coffin is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Made from long fiber recycled paper, pulp
4. The coffin is treated with environmentally friendly material that is water resistant and can tolerate water in a prescribed time
5. The coffin is treated with environmentally friendly material which makes it compliant to the ignition of cremation
6. The coffin has built-in handle in the side of the coffin, the opposite usually externally on the coffin
7. Closing the coffin has been made without screws
8. The coffin shape is both rectangular (as in Nordic countries) and trapezoidal (as in several other countries)
9. The coffin bottom is standard with normal apron (as a bottom frame) but has a special angled seam at all four corners for inserting the feet. This has been designed for countries that use feet on coffins
10. The coffin interior bottom has a fold in the middle, so that Muslims can be laying on the side according to their burial rules
11. The coffin comes in any colouring a customer may wish
12. The coffin ornaments as crosses and other decorations are supplied separately for mounting by the customer wishes
13. The coffin belonging urn comes with the coffin and is made of the same material as the coffin. Colour can be chosen different from the coffin.
How long will it take for the coffin or urn to decompose?
It depends on how many % we add of an organic material, which we have identified in our research. In fact, I can decide when I produce the coffin, if it is to stand directly in water and at the same time filled with water, in one day, a week or, say four weeks before it dissolves.
Any glues used in the coffins? If so, do they contain any toxic substances such as formaldehyde?
No, only long fiber recycled paper and water used in casting/molding. The long paper fibers and our manufacturing method makes no adhesive substances to be added. There is only what is already in the paper.
Are they being distributed throughout the world? If not, when?
Not yet. We wil distribute all over the World, and are allso looking on setting up factories on 4-5 continents to save transport.
How much does a coffin and urn cost?
We have not yet priced it, but it will not be more expensive than existing coffins. And since more and people get cremated around the world, we will deliver an urn together with the coffin. A coffin and an urn can be ordered with a black bottom and a white lid, and the urn with a green bottom and red lid. Any colour combination. All the ornaments to set on coffin and urn like a cross, anchor for a sailor or hammer and sickle if there still are communist somewhere, and of course also in different colours.
Is there any lead times in ordering the coffins?
When we are ready in about 12-18 months everything should be from stock in different countries around the world.
Is there any known problems with the coffins being used in any cemetery to date?
We have been throught some countries rules and laws, and until now we fullfill them all. In many countries there are today 2 different coffins, one for burial and one done for cremation. Mine can be used for both.
What is on the horizon for this company?
We are at the moment finding investors to get enough to set up the organization, production on 4-5 continents, and sales people in every region.
We should according to our plans be ready in about 12 months to start the promotion.
Isn’t this an amazing invention? Molded wood pulp. A green funeral to say the least.
To get a more 3 dimension view of the casket, take a look at this video. Note, the video is not in English but it provide a good visual of the prototype.
Further note, that DanCof’s website only has a PDF of the product on the site, but does have contact info if you want to speak to Bendt. So, here is to a green way to heaven courtesy of Bendt’s wife. It only take an egg carton for an ingenious invention.
I am curious…
How would you green a funeral?
Would you use this product for your coffin or a loved one?
Have your buried someone using green funeral ideas?
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Shroudwoman says
In the USA all you need to be buried in the ground in a green cemetery is a shroud. Muslims are buried in shrouds- not high tech caskets.
We have been selling our biodegradable low cost shrouds for green burial and cremation for over 5 years now and are trusted in cemeteries across the country as well as for home funerals http://www.greenburialproducts.com
Most of the people creating fancy new high tech European caskets have rarely been around a dead body nor worked in a funeral home. It’s all designed in their heads . You don’t need urns. You just pour the ashes into the ground to biodegrade in the back yard . Urns are another useless expense.
Our products were born out of actually burying people in green cemeteries , have lowering devices attached and provide the fastest decomposition while the most aesthetically tactile and remain low cost.
Simplicity is always the greenest. Local is always best.
Thank you
Anna@Green Talk says
Shroudwoman, thanks so much for the information. Can you use a shroud in a non-green cemetery? Anna
Shroudwoman says
Yes Anna. You can order all our shrouds with either Back #1 (with lowering device attached for green burial) or Back #2.(just handles to be placed inside a green casket ).
We have had a few families choose our BOTANIKA RESTSPA herbal lined shroud or VARANASI white silk lined in Lavaender or Sage and put embalmed relatives in them inside metal caskets in traditional cemeteries! Not what I would have imagined but end of life is very personal . We make 100% green natural and biodegradable products but what people choose to do with them is none of my business.I’m a big fan of the people and think they are amazing most of the time.
We believe strongly in ceremony in whatever form that takes from bagpies, white dove release and procession to pouring a favorite bottle of Jack Daniels over the deceased in the grave.
Crying and digging is very cathartic.
Shroudwoman says
corrected web address
Bendt Skov says
Shroudwoman, I agree with you, that you do not need a casket. I know your website and I do really like your products, but there are so many countries, where the people still want a coffin, or you must have it, because the law says so. In my country, little lovely Denmark, the kingdom in the middle, it is by law given, that you must have a casket. Also by law cremated must use an urn for the ash, wherein the ash is delivered to the survivors. Then the survivors can fly or sail over the sea for example, and spread the ash afterwards.
And then, what to do with the urn? Bought and paid (around 180$ it costs here, and casket is at least 1000$), and no need for it after the ash has been spread.
The funny thing is also to claim to have an urn.
So disagree we are not. I just want to help save some of all the wood being used unnecessarily in the manufacture of coffins. And there are many trees used for caskets around the World, and so every year!
Maybe we will meet some day and talk, for it’s not inconceivable that we could do something together with the two possible activities, yours and mine.
If any other persons reading this and have their comments, I would appreciate to hear them.
Kind regards
Bendt Skov
inventor of DanCof caskets
Shroudwoman says
Dear Bendt, fellow inventor-
Thank you so much for sharing about your countries practices. What you have invented is ingenious. I am a good deal native American and what you would call “Earthy!”
I love the idea of Tibetan sky burial giving the body back to animals like carrion fowl and Plains Indian tree burial where the body is hung in baskets in trees or placed on platforms in deer skin shrouds..
I asked when I worked at Fernwood if we could have Sky Burial but that was too extreme even for Northern California!
You look like a nice elegant man and i’m sure your farm is fantastic.
All the best to you in your venture . Your products are stunning. This is the most fascinatijng work i’ve ever had the good fortune to be a part of.
And if you come to California don’t hesitate to let me show you and yours San Francisco.
Bendt Skov says
Dear Shroudwoman,
you make me quite flattered – but anyway I am like you, down to earth, I am also “Earthy!”
And if you are coming over here, you are welcome as well to pay me a visit.
Beth Terry @ Fake Plastic Fish says
What an interesting conversation happening between Bendt and Shroudwoman. I have to say, I love the idea of being buried in nothing but a shroud. But I do have a question for Shroudwoman. I plan to donate all of my usable organs for medical uses. What should I do with the rest of me? I won’t be in any condition for a shroud at that point, will I? What’s the greenest way to handle remains after organ donation?
Crunchy Chicken says
Beth, I think in your case you’ll need to talk to “Drawstringbagwoman”.
karen hanrahan says
leave it to you anna to find the latest discovery right in time for our carnival – this is fascinating!!
Lynn from OrganicMania.com says
Anna, I think we should form Green Moms Funerals, Inc.
I’m only half joking. We’ll never make any money blogging – but funerals with a green twist? Now that’s a growth industry where we could offer a superior product at greater value and still make a nice profit!
We’d outsource the handling of the corpses, of course! 🙂
Anna@Green Talk says
Lynn, hmmm. a green undertaker. Or a new series HBO series, Green 6 feet under. Anna
Shroudwoman says
To Beth Terry-
In the case of organ donation it is my understanding that the hospital or university clinic that performs the operation usually has their own connection to a funeral home and /or crematory with disposal of the remains unless specifically requested by you in writing (and probably at some considerable expense) should you wish something other. I believe that in this case your remains would most likely be already arranged to be cremated by the hospital and your family would most likely be given the choice to recieve the remaining ashes from that procedure should they request it .
{It cannot be overstated how important it is to make our wishes known in advance in detail knowing that we may outlive all of our relatives and even our children or we may assume people already knew what we wanted without us writing anything down and we must make arrangements for the advance cost of living for the future of these wishes.a funeral in 1990 is now twice or 3 times that. In the future the European Lye based procedure of disolving human remains “resomation” or other organic /chemical body evaporation techniques may be “the law” you never know …….}
Once you make the supremely kind gesture of organ donation that in itself is such a kind and beneficial action that a memorial service honoring the life of a person is often the most important rather than the procedure used to disposed of remains.
We offer a simple loving caring product that comforts families and disposes of remains in a beautiful biodegradable Earth focused manner. However we cherish living beings above all else and their choices -even if they do not include using our products.
Thank you
Linda Anderson says
Anna, this information was really interesting – especially the shroud talk. Don’t the burial/cremation requirements vary in each state?
Beth, Even if you donate all your organs, there is a lot of you left – plenty for a shroud (you might need an extra small).
ninepointone says
I think Dancof ecocoffins sounds great. In my country we have the same laws as in Denmark and besides, I´m too traditional to even consider a shroud-burial.
Great work Denmark!
Shroudwoman says
Jesus’ body was prepared in a shroud traditionally as a Palestinian Jew.
It would seem everyone’s body should be prepared exactly in the manner they wish. I’ve gotten several of requests for info on Viking burials . Any of you Scandinavians have any traditional info for these surfers in California?
Beth Terry @ Fake Plastic Fish says
Shroudwoman, you beat me to it! How much more traditional can you get? 🙂
Beth Terry @ Fake Plastic Fish says
By the way, Shroudwoman, not sure if you saw my post on the topic. I mentioned your shrouds. http://fakeplasticfish.com/201.....-the-food/
Bendt Skov says
Here is a response from a descendant of the real Vikings
In the early Viking Age, before the Vikings became Christians, there were many different types of burials.
Some people were just buried in a hole in the ground, while others were given more funerals. If you had power and influence in the Viking Age society, one might instance. be buried in a ship in a wagon or in a chamber built of wood. You could also have raised a mound over it. The written sources also tell of Vikings who were burned along with their ships at sea. The archaeologists can not find traces of.
When archaeologists find graves from the Viking era, it’s the gifts that the dead were with them in the graves, which tells of how rich they were. The gifts can also show us whether it is a man or a woman who is buried. Men and women were not always the same with the tomb.
Men could be buried with weapons, tools or hunting dogs. Women and could have things like jewelry, tools to produce clothes or household items with him to his grave. Both men and women could get combs and food for his journey to the next life. Before Denmark is Christian, the archaeologists rarely child graves. Only when the country becomes Christian, the children were buried in the cemetery along with the adults.
After Christianity was introduced changes graves also appearance. Now, most buried in caskets made of wood. Many were wrapped in a shroud before they came down into the grave. A shroud is a piece of fabric which the dead are wrapped in. At the end of the Viking Age, it was normal that Christians did not get gifts in the grave. There are exceptions, where the family still has deceased gifts in the grave. This is probably because the Vikings had to adjust to the new tradition.
So the short answer to your question is that they started with a shroud, but after it became a casket of wood.
Sorry, but they didn’t know about my PULP caskets on that time!
Shroudwoman says
Bendt-
That was fantastic! What great detail! It brought up such amazingly strong images of gorgeous blond people dressed in fur at night around roaring fires with blue eyed dogs and what their life must have been like.Thank you so much for this great story!
(I know when these old surfers and abalone divers here in Northern California ask me about Viking burials they are thinking of a wooden dinghy (small boat) filled with a gas soaked wood pyre set ablaze somewhere out beyond the 20 mile line on the Pacific Ocean . Not easy!)
Thank you for this wonderful history of a great people.
karsten madsen says
hi, wouldnt it be fair in all respect to tell people these products arent made yet, actually the plant to make them isnt made yet?
in the same time i think its worth mentioning that there are thousands of similar paper based coffins allready available from manufacturers allready operating,
you claim you have a world wide patent, but you dont have any patents, on the other side there is a us patent 6149845 you are very likely to infringe, please explain
we could go into your previous history with far-fetched projects, your economical situation but lets leave that for now,
karsten madsen
Veronika says
I really like this burial idea. I plan to be cremated and buried with a tree sapling, but my husband wants a traditional funeral. I hope these kinds of caskets are more common by the time his burial comes around.
Westly Smith says
I think it’s so cool that there are green funerals. I’m trying to help my family be more eco-friendly. I would love to plan a green funeral with them. You say that it is a bit creepy to plan your funeral, but I don’t think it would be creepy for me if I thought about helping the environment while doing it.