Acceptable Caskets
Plain, untreated, unvarnished wooden caskets, not made of rain forest hardwoods or other nonnative woods -- Jewish burial pine caskets are perfect
Cardboard, papier-mache, wicker
Homemade caskets should be no larger than 84"l, 28"w, 23"h.
If there is time prior to a loved ones death, a family member, friend or local woodworker can make the casket. Please do not make a casket from plywood or chipboard.
*Sources for casket plans:
Northwoods Coffin Company - Build-your-own coffin plans and casket kits
Popular Woodworking - Article on building your own coffin
Last Things - Freely downloadable coffin plans from Maine Home Funeral Resource site .
*Sources for handcrafted caskets, including wood, papier-mache, and wicker
Locust Grove Woodworks - Handcrafted in Maine, caskets are available in various native woods including pine, walnut, and red cedar.
Piedmont Pine Coffins and Aldergrove Caskets - Partners in the Carolina Casket Makers Collective that sells handcrafted pine coffins.
Natural Burial Company - Retails a selection of biodegradable bamboo, pine, cane, cardboard, willow, seagrass and paper coffins, including products by Mourning Dove Studio.
New Melleray Abby Trappist Caskets-Iowa abby monks handcraft simple pine wood caskets available for retail sale.
Graydon Creek Industries - Alabama craftsman offers two styles of handcrafted pine caskets.
Jeff Joseph - Willseyville, NY | 607-659-5995 | jeffjosephwoodworker@gmail.com
*Woodworkers in the Greensprings area:
John Ives - Newfield, NY | 607-564-7616 | iveswoodwork@aol.com
Jeff Joseph - Willseyville, NY | 607-659-5995 | jeffjosephwoodworker@gmail.com
Acceptable Shrouds
You may use a favorite blanket or quilt, though we ask that you use natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk, hemp). If there is enough time to plan ahead, you can also sew a shroud or body bag, or find a weaver or tailor who will make one for you.
The body must be securely wrapped from head to feet.
*Sources of Shrouds
Kinkaraco -Green burial shrouds available nationwide through these Green Funeral Providers.
Acceptable Grave Stones:
At Greensprings, gravestone markers must be natural, flat rocks, typically field stones, totalling no more than 400 square inches of surface area. No cut, machined or polished markers or monuments are permitted. We recommend you choose a stone that is at least 3 inches thick. We have a selection of stones you can choose from.
Stone markers are not required. However, if you would like to have a stone laid at the grave, you must contact us to arrange the installation. We use a system that requires a layer of pea gravel to provide a bed of support for the stone and ensure the entire setting is flush with the ground to prevent cracking during changes in weather or from our annual mowing.
We charge a $100 fee to cover installation and maintenance costs. This may be purchased by visiting the “Stone Installation” link on our website.
*Stonecutters in the area:
Beth Rounds, (607) 742-5292
Rich Vogt, (607) 387-4190
Dryden Monument Company, (607) 844-8161
Contact us to arrange installation: 607-564-7577
*Links and resources on this site are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.