ARKA's
Ecopod is a revolutionary design in coffins made from naturally
hardened, 100% recycled paper - mainly newsprint and office paper - and a non-toxic natural hardener, the Ecopod is ideal for a green
burial or clean cremation.
Check out Ecopod in the National Geographic, July 2008
The Ecopod was recently featured in the National Geographic's "Environment" section.
MORE PRESS:
OBIT Magazine - "Going to Ground"
Treehugger noticed it a long time ago, back in 2005 - great eyes, Treehugger!
Huffington Post and the Associated Press
To learn even more about the history of the Ecopod and the inspiration behind Hazel Selina's original design - a cross between a seedpod and an Egyptian sarcophagus - you can visit their website: http://www.ecopod.co.uk.
There are some wonderful stories on their press pages and they've got a small workshop in Brighton, UK, where each one is molded carefully by hand.
TRIED AND TESTED
Hundreds of Ecopods have been successfully used throughout the UK since 1998. The Ecopod is extremely durable - it weighs around 40+ pounds and yet even the small size can carry 200 pounds! It is covered in handmade mulberry leaf and recycled silk paper. Each color has its own silkscreened design - Blue=Doves, Red=Aztec Sun, Green=Celtic Cross. (Click here for colors and patterns).
White silk paper and Gold are also available as options.
NOTE: -- White Ecopods should be handled with gloves as the oil from your hands will stain the immaculate silk paper.
SIZING - "IT'S NOT FOR EVERY BODY":
There are two sizes:
Small - 5'6" inner height, max, 150 pounds - ideal for youth and small adults
Medium - 6'0" inner height, max 200 pounds
We call the UK's "Large" a medium, as its molded shape and tapered style lend itself to a less-robust body. It can carry a lot of weight, but the fit is better for an average-sized person. Ecopod will be creating a large size in the future, but for now "it's not for every body"
AVAILABILITY and PRICING:
The ARKA Ecopod is a handmade sculpture. It is NOT the 'cheap'
natural coffin one could expect. Yes, it's made from recycled paper -
and ceramic sculpture is made from dirt; even so, our suggested retail
pricing for the Ecopod is just about the same as an average traditional
casket price in the regular market, and it's our top-of-the-handmade
line.
Due to its unique and handmade nature, the Ecopod is in extremely limited supply in both the US and the UK and pre-orders are strongly suggested. Contact the Natural Burial Company to find out about pre-ordering one if the US is out of stock, and we usually know which of our resellers may have one on hand for you.
Shipping from the UK is reasonable, given the circumstances of providing for someone's last Style Statement, and about the price of a family-member's plane ticket to the funeral.Turn around time for flight shipping is about 2-3 weeks; pre-orders can catch a ride on one of our container shipments
ECOPOD PRODUCT PAGE
Ecopod Product page on the NBC Site:
http://www.naturalburialcompany.com/ecopod/
Ecopod GalleryPage:
http://natural-burial.typepad.com/photos/natural_casket_gallery/ecopodred30k.html
Ecopod Company Home Page
http://www.ecopod.co.uk
ECOPOD STRAP INSTRUCTIONS
To View or Print Out:
Ecopod Handle Instructions Page - Front
Ecopod Handle Instructions Page - Back
The Ecopod arrives strapped together. We recommend leaving the coffin strapped until ready to use. There is a simple quilted cotton mattress inside. Additional natural fiber blankets or quilts can be added, as can flowers, dried herbs and sweet-smelling branches.
CARRYING THE ECOPOD
The Ecopods are carried with 6 metal and bamboo handles inserted through the loop ends of the straps. The metal handles can be easily removed prior to burial. The Ecopod can be traditionally shouldered by six-pallbearers.
LOWERING THE ECOPOD BY HAND OR MACHINE
The Ecopod can be easily lowered by hand using either straps or ropes in the traditional manner. Placement of two 4x4 boards crosswise on the bottom for the pod to rest on will allow the straps to be removed easily.
Remember, a shallow grave (less than 36" - 18-20" of soil maximum on top, not including the mounded earth) is preferred in a natural burial. The burial shown here is done without an outer burial vault or grave liner.
The Ecopod is durable and will not melt in the rain. If it does get
wet, simply allow it to dry and it will re-harden to its original
strength. If the paper gets damp, unless it is rubbed raw, it too
should dry back to the near-original condition. There is a small amount
of metal in the Ecopod - a couple of bolts hold the straps in place and
there are metal and bamboo handles. If there's concern about the metal
the handles and buckles can be easily removed before lowering the
Ecopod into the grave.
CONVENTIONAL LOWERING IN A TRADITIONAL CEMETERY
Due to their extremely light weight, natural coffins can be lowered easily by hand. They also work just fine with traditional lowering equipment.
MOISTURE PROTECTION
Most bodies have been adequately cared for before burial and, if managed properly, leakage from an unembalmed body generally does not occur. If additional protection is required, a wool pad, quilt, or thick cardboard on the bottom of the coffin, placed under the liner, should be adequate. Plastic liners are not necessary! As always,we suggest no synthetic clothes on the deceased, nor non-degradable materials in the coffin.
