Happy coffins land down under

WA group Seasons Funerals is launching a range of environmentally-friendly LifeArt cardboard coffins into Western Australia to offer clients a colourful and personalised option to the traditional wooden coffin. The Note is pleased to discover the Enviroboard coffins are made of industrial strength cardboard and LifeArt directors Natalie Verdon and partner Eckhard Kemmerer have a construction patent on the design. On the market for 12 months, the unique coffins come in a natural finish or a selection of standard designs that are printed directly onto recycled cardboard and include florals, forest scenes, ocean prints and even a Harley Davidson. Blank canvasses can also be customised by the buyer and sporting themes are soon to be included in the range. Ms Verdon said she was approached to look at the product while working as a management consultant and saw a wider potential for the creations, outside of a cottage industry. Two years of research and development went into the product and the outcome meets Australian funeral industry standards as well as using around 10 per cent of the wood in traditional coffins. LifeArt has now attracted support from a major eastern states funeral home group, Bledisloe Holdings, as well as other smaller, independent funeral homes. To all those who say "just bury me in a cardboard box", well, now you can.