When someone close to us passes away, we want to honour them in a way that feels right. For many families in New Zealand, that now includes choosing an eco-friendly cardboard casket - a simple, respectful alternative to traditional options.
At Outside The Box Caskets, we offer 100% biodegradable cardboard caskets that are made right here in New Zealand. They're strong, personal, and better for the environment.
 
Why More People Are Choosing Cardboard
Our caskets are:
-  Fully biodegradable and free of harsh chemicals
-  Suitable for burial and cremation
-  Made from recycled, responsibly sourced materials
-  Personalised if you wish - write messages, add drawings, or keep it natural and plain

Choosing cardboard isn't just practical - it reflects a growing desire to do things differently. For many families, it feels more personal, more aligned with values of care, simplicity, and environmental responsibility.

​Simple Doesn't Mean Less Meaningful
You don't need heavy materials or polished hardwoods to create a meaningful farewell. Cardboard caskets are often decorated by family and friends, filled with notes, photos, drawings or final words. Some prefer a clean, minimal look. Either way, it's a chance to reflect the life of the person being remembered.
Simplicity often brings focus - on the people, the memories, and the love shared.

Available Through Your Funeral Home
Our caskets are made right here in New Zealand using strong, recycled cardboard. While some funeral homes may not list them online or mention them by name, they are widely available. Just ask for an Outside The Box cardboard casket — most funeral directors know us and can organise one without any trouble.
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Want to Know More?
If you're curious about this option or wondering how to request it through your funeral director, we've put together a helpful article:
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How to Ask for a Cardboard Casket - A Simple Guide

​To explore our designs or ask a question, feel free to contact us or browse our range.

How to Ask for a Cardboard Casket  - A Simple Guide
When someone passes, there’s so much to take in and a lot of decisions to make. For families who want to do things a little differently, choosing a cardboard casket can be a gentle, thoughtful step. It’s not about making a statement. It’s about choosing something that feels lighter, more personal, and better for the planet.

At Outside The Box, we make strong, simple cardboard caskets right here in New Zealand. Read more about us here.
They’re biodegradable, natural, and built to hold up — weight-tested to 320kg. But one of the most common questions we get is: how do I actually get one? 

The answer’s easy: ask your funeral director.
We supply our caskets through funeral homes around New Zealand. If your funeral director hasn’t heard of us, they probably have by now. We’ve been around for over five years. If not, they can get in touch and we’ll help them sort it out.

Just ask for an Outside The Box cardboard casket and they’ll know where to go. You can also view stockists of our caskets here.
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You can choose from a plain kraft casket, or pick one of our printed lid designs for a bit of colour or softness. Some families like to decorate the casket themselves, with messages, drawings, photos, or flowers. Others prefer to keep things simple. Either way, it’s a choice that lets you honour your person in a way that feels right.

We’re proud to be the first cardboard casket in New Zealand certified for natural burial. That means we meet the environmental standards for green burials here and that’s something we care deeply about.

If this feels like the kind of farewell you or your loved one would want, it’s worth having the conversation. Not every funeral home will offer a cardboard casket up front, but most are happy to help if you ask.

We’re not here to overhaul tradition,  just to offer something more personal, more thoughtful, and a little kinder to the planet. It’s a gentle departure for people who want to do things a bit differently.
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You can view our range here or talk to your local funeral director about ordering an Outside The Box Casket.