Okay, so lately I’ve been getting a ton of DMs and emails, all basically asking the same thing: “Are there actual coffin accessories made for eco-funerals? Because my grandma wanted a green send-off, but all the stuff I see looks like it’s plastic or full of weird chemicals.” And full transparency— I run a small coffin accessories company, so this isn’t just a random blog post. This is the stuff I deal with every single day, answering this exact question from families, funeral directors, even other small suppliers. Let’s cut the fluff here— yes, there are. But it’s not just some Instagram trend or a “throw a seed in the dirt and hope” kind of thing. It’s actual, science-backed products that fit with eco-funerals, no greenwashing, no hidden chemicals, no stuff that’ll screw up the soil later. Coffin Accessories
First, let’s get one thing straight: eco-funerals aren’t just “being cheap” or skipping a casket. They’re all about leaving the smallest environmental footprint possible— no embalming fluid (that’s full of formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen, by the way), no non-biodegradable materials, maybe even planting a tree or using a natural burial ground. And when I say “natural burial ground,” that’s key— those are regulated places, not just a random plot in the woods where you bury anything. So the accessories for these funerals have to pass super specific tests to make sure they don’t break down into microplastics or toxic gunk that ruins the soil or any nearby water sources.
Let’s start with the most common accessory people ask about: coffin liners. Wait, most regular liners are plastic or have a plastic coating, right? That’s a huge no-no for eco-funerals. But the ones we (and a few other small, reputable suppliers) make are 100% uncoated, undyed organic cotton. No bleach, no synthetic dyes, no anything. They’re thin, soft, and they actually help with moisture a tiny bit without locking it in or adding chemicals. I tested a batch last year with a local natural burial ground, and they broke down completely in 18 months— compared to a standard plastic liner that would take like 400 years. That’s not a guess, either— the burial ground did a soil test after a year and a half, and there was zero residue from the liners. Another big one: we don’t use any glue on these liners, just stitched with 100% organic cotton thread. No fancy adhesives, nothing that’ll leach.
Then there’s coffin handles. Oh my god, handles are such a big one because everyone sees them. Standard coffin handles are usually plastic or even coated metal— neither is good for eco-burial. Plastic handles stay forever, coated metal can rust and leave weird metal bits in the soil, plus the coating has chemicals. The eco handles we carry? They’re sustainably harvested bamboo or solid willow. We source the bamboo from a FSC-certified farm in Georgia, and the willow from a family-owned orchard in Oregon that only uses organic practices. No stain, no varnish, just sanded smooth so they don’t splinter. And here’s the thing— we test every single batch to make sure there’s no lead or formaldehyde in the wood. A lot of big suppliers cut corners on that, so we make it a point to send samples to a third-party lab every quarter. Last month, a funeral director told me he used these handles for a burial where the family wanted to plant a daffodil over the plot, and the daffodil grew right through the spot where one of the handles was— no toxic buildup stunting it. That’s the kind of win that makes all the late nights worth it.
Wait, what about floral items? A lot of people think flowers are fine, but no— if you use floral foam, that’s a massive no. Floral foam is full of plastic and styrene, and it never breaks down. So the eco alternatives here are things like woven willow wreaths, dried lavender bundles, or even fresh wildflower bouquets. We make these small, custom ribbon wraps for the wreaths too— 100% hemp or cotton ribbon, no synthetic satin, no glitter (glitter is microplastic, duh). We’ve had families add a little bag of wildflower seeds sewn into the ribbon, so when the wreath breaks down, the seeds grow. That’s such a nice touch— instead of just a marker that fades, you have something that feeds the earth.
Another accessory that’s starting to blow up: coffin seals. Wait, why would you need a seal? Some people want to keep moisture out a little, or make sure the coffin stays together during transport. Standard coffin seals are silicone or epoxy, which are forever. The eco seals we use are made from natural beeswax and pine resin— super sticky, no chemicals, and they break down in like 2 years. I had a funeral director call me last spring panicking because a family wanted a seal but refused anything synthetic, and he’d spent weeks looking for something that wasn’t a joke. The beeswax/pine resin seal worked perfectly for the transport, and by the time the coffin was in the ground, it was already softening and starting to break down. No residue, no issues.
But here’s the thing— this isn’t all “new” stuff. A lot of the traditional, small-town funeral practices from 50 years ago were actually eco-friendly. Back then, coffins were made of pine or willow, handles were wood, no fancy liners. We’re just updating that for today, because a lot of people forget that. The problem is that big funeral suppliers pushed all the plastic, chemical-laden stuff because it’s cheaper to make, and they don’t care about the environmental impact. But now, more and more families are asking for the real deal, so small companies like ours are filling that gap.
I should also talk about what doesn’t count as eco-accessories, because there’s a lot of greenwashing out there. For example, a company might call a “biodegradable” liner, but it’s actually made with a mix of cotton and plastic— that’s not biodegradable, that’s just plastic with a little cotton. Or handles made of wood but coated in a clear polyurethane (which is plastic) — they call it “low-VOC” but it’s still not breaking down. So when you’re shopping for these, ask specific questions: “Is this 100% free of synthetic materials?” “Did you test this for toxic chemicals?” “How long will this take to break down?” Any decent supplier will be able to answer those without hesitation. We get those questions every single day, and that’s why we publish our lab test results on our website (no need to link it, just look for our company name if you care). That’s not bragging— that’s transparency, because so many people are scared of getting scammed when it comes to this stuff.
Let me also share a quick story to make this real. Last year, a family reached out to us because their mom was an avid hiker and gardener, and she wanted a green funeral where her coffin had accessories that were “just her.” She didn’t want plastic, didn’t want anything that would sit in the ground for centuries. We ended up making a willow coffin, bamboo handles, an organic cotton liner, and a custom wreath wrapped in hemp ribbon with a little bag of sunflower seeds (her favorite flower) sewn on. The family told us later that the burial was in a natural burial ground in North Carolina, and they planted a sunflower over the spot. A year later, they sent us a photo— the sunflower was like 8 feet tall, and there was a tiny patch of other wildflowers growing around it from the wreath seeds. That’s the stuff that matters, right? Not just “eco” for the sake of it, but honoring the person while taking care of the planet.
Wait, I should also address a common concern: cost. A lot of people think eco-accessories are way more expensive than standard ones, but that’s not always true. The organic cotton liners are only like $20 more than a plastic liner, the bamboo handles are about $15 more per pair, and the beeswax seals are cheaper than silicone. We keep our prices low because we source materials locally whenever possible, and we don’t have the overhead that big corporate suppliers do. Yeah, we’re a small team, we don’t have a fancy office or a million-dollar marketing budget, but that means we can pass the savings on to families.
Another thing: customizability. A lot of people think eco-accessories are one-size-fits-all, but no— we do custom liners with small embroidery (just cotton thread, no synthetic ink), custom wreaths with specific flowers or seeds, even handles carved with a small design if that’s what the family wants. We had a family do handles carved with a little dog paw print because their dad’s dog was always with him. That’s the kind of personal touch you don’t get with big suppliers, and it fits perfectly with eco-funerals because it’s about the person, not just the logistics.
But let’s be real— it’s not perfect. We still run into funeral directors who tell us big corporate companies pressure them to use the cheap, toxic stuff. We still get families who don’t know that eco-accessories even exist, so they just go with whatever the funeral home recommends. That’s why I started posting about this on Instagram and answering every DM— because everyone deserves to have a send-off that honors their loved one and the planet, not just whatever is convenient for the funeral industry.
So to wrap this up: yes, there are actual, science-backed coffin accessories made specifically for eco-funerals. They’re made with organic, local, non-toxic materials, they break down without leaving residue, and they’re customizable to fit whatever the family wants. It’s not a trend, it’s a growing need— more and more people care about the environmental impact of their funeral, and we’re here to make that easy.
If you’re a funeral director looking to switch to eco-accessories for your clients, or a family planning a send-off and want to know more about what’s available, hit us up. We don’t do hard sells, we don’t hide costs, and we’re happy to send you samples so you can test them for yourself. No fine print, no weird hoops.
Beehive References:
- Natural Burial Association (2023) Eco-Funeral Accessory Standards and Testing Protocols
- Journal of Environmental Quality (2022) Biodegradability of Organic and Synthetic Coffin Liners in Sandy Soil
- FSC (2024) Sustainable Sourcing Guidelines for Wood-Based Funeral Products
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (2021) Toxic Residue Testing for Beeswax and Pine Resin Seals for Burials
Dongming Dasheng Wood Industry Co., Ltd.
We are one of the most professional coffin accessories manufacturers and suppliers in China. With abundant experience, we warmly welcome you to wholesale customized coffin accessories made in China here from our factory. If you have any enquiry about cooperation, please feel free to email us.
Address: East side of Matou Town Government, Dongming County
E-mail: dmds2001@126.com
WebSite: https://www.dashengwood.com/
