How to Choose a Biodegradable Casket
Choosing a casket for a loved one is one of the most meaningful decisions a family can make. When that choice also honors the earth, it can bring an added sense of peace and purpose. Biodegradable caskets are growing in popularity as more families embrace green burial — but with several materials and styles available, how do you know which one is right for you?
This guide walks you through the key factors to consider when choosing a biodegradable casket.
1. Understand What Makes a Casket Biodegradable
A truly biodegradable casket is made entirely from natural, sustainably sourced materials that will break down in the soil without leaving harmful residues. Common materials include:
- Willow: One of the most traditional natural casket materials, willow is hand-woven and has a warm, organic appearance. It is lightweight, fully compostable, and has been used in green burial for decades.
- Bamboo: A fast-growing, renewable grass, bamboo caskets are strong, elegant, and decompose naturally. Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials on the planet.
- Seagrass and water hyacinth: These woven natural fibers create beautiful, textured caskets with a gentle, earthy feel.
- Untreated wood: Simple pine or poplar caskets with no varnish, metal hardware, or synthetic linings are another excellent option.
What to avoid: caskets with metal handles, synthetic linings, varnish, or glues that contain formaldehyde — these slow decomposition and can harm the soil.
2. Check for Green Burial Council Certification
The Green Burial Council (GBC) certifies burial products that meet rigorous environmental standards. A GBC-approved casket gives you confidence that the product has been independently verified as genuinely eco-friendly — not just marketed that way.
All caskets in our Eco Caskets collection are Green Burial Council certified.
3. Consider the Burial Location
Where your loved one will be buried matters when choosing a casket:
- Natural or conservation cemetery: These cemeteries typically require a GBC-certified biodegradable casket or shroud and prohibit concrete vaults. A woven willow or bamboo casket is ideal.
- Hybrid cemetery: These accept both conventional and natural burials. A biodegradable casket is usually permitted in the natural section.
- Home burial: Legal in many US states on private land. Check your local regulations, and choose a casket that is easy to transport and handle.
4. Think About Weight and Handling
Woven caskets like willow and bamboo are significantly lighter than traditional wooden or metal caskets, which can make the burial process more manageable for pallbearers. Most natural caskets are designed to be carried by four to six people and include sturdy handles or carrying straps.
5. Consider the Aesthetic
A biodegradable casket can be just as beautiful — and often more so — than a conventional one. Woven willow has a warm, handcrafted quality. Bamboo has a clean, natural elegance. Many families find that the natural appearance of these caskets feels more honest and comforting than polished metal or lacquered wood.
Some caskets can also be personalized with flowers, greenery, or meaningful objects placed inside or woven into the exterior.
6. Plan for Timing
If you are pre-planning, ordering a casket in advance gives you time to make a thoughtful choice without the pressure of an immediate need. Many families find pre-planning to be a gift to those they leave behind.
If you need a casket urgently, check shipping timelines carefully. We offer expedited shipping on select caskets — please contact us if you have an urgent need and we will do everything we can to help.
Explore Our Biodegradable Caskets
We offer a carefully curated range of handcrafted, Green Burial Council certified caskets for adults, as well as natural caskets for children and infants. Each one is made with care, from sustainable materials, and designed to return your loved one gently to the earth.