Kids & Caskets: How Decorating Can Help Children Process Grief
Talking to kids about death is not easy. When a loved one passes away, children can feel confused, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to express their emotions. One way to help them navigate grief is through creativity, and that’s where casket decorating comes in.

At Outside The Box Caskets, we’ve seen firsthand how getting children to take part in personalising a loved one’s casket can be a deeply healing experience. Whether it’s drawing pictures, writing messages, or painting something meaningful, this simple act can turn grief into a creative and comforting process. Research shows that art therapy can be incredibly beneficial for grieving children, giving them a tangible way to express emotions that are often difficult to put into words (Green, Karafa, & Wilson, 2020). Studies also suggest that when children are actively involved in funeral rituals, they experience a greater sense of closure and emotional understanding (Center for Loss, 2023).

Funerals can sometimes feel like a space designed for adults, leaving children on the sidelines, unsure of how to participate. But giving them an active role, something as simple as decorating the casket, can make a huge difference. It allows them to feel involved in the farewell, rather than just witnessing it from a distance. Experts say that these kinds of rituals provide children with a sense of comfort and help them process the reality of loss in a way that feels more natural (Callaghan Mortuary, 2024).
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Art has always been a way for children to communicate when words fall short. Picking up a marker or a paintbrush often sparks important conversations, questions like, “Where is Grandpa now?” or “Do you think he’d like this?” These moments, while difficult, open the door for honest discussions about death in a way that feels less intimidating. When kids are encouraged to take part in the goodbye, they begin to understand that death, as sad as it is, is also a natural part of life.

For many children, the idea of someone being gone forever is hard to grasp. Creating something visible, like a decorated casket filled with messages, drawings, and symbols of love, helps make that loss more tangible. A handprint, a note, a small drawing, these things become a connection, something they can hold onto even after the funeral is over. Grief counsellors often talk about how these physical acts of remembrance help children process loss in a healthier way (Green et al., 2020).

There are so many ways to get kids involved in this process:

• Markers & Crayons  - Drawing pictures directly onto the casket.
• Message Writing - Encourage them to write a note to their loved one, something they’d like to say one last time.
• Handprints - Using non-toxic paint, kids can press their hands onto the casket as a way of leaving their mark.
• Stickers & Photos - If drawing feels too overwhelming, they can place stickers or glue on pictures of special moments.
• Favourite Quotes or Song Lyrics - Older kids might want to write down a song lyric or quote that reminds them of their loved one.​​

In many cultures, death is a subject that often gets tiptoed around, especially when it comes to children. But shielding them from it doesn’t necessarily protect them, it can sometimes make the grieving process even more confusing and isolating. Experts agree that when children are given space to express their emotions in a safe, creative way, they often cope with loss in a healthier, more resilient manner (Center for Loss, 2023). Funerals aren’t just about saying goodbye; they’re about honouring a life. And giving kids the chance to take part in that through something as simple as a drawing or a message can turn a moment of sadness into something truly special.

At Outside The Box Caskets, we believe every farewell should be as unique as the person it honours. Our DIY kraft caskets allow families to add their own touch - painting, writing, or decorating in a way that reflects a loved one's life and spirit. Get in touch with your local funeral director or contact us today to learn more.

Closed or open casket, we get one last chance to leave a lasting impression, but will that casket really reflect you and what you cared about?

Caskets are an essential part of a funeral arrangement, but why do they all have to look the same? A personal touch really does say so much.

Caskets have traditionally only been available in quite standardised designs and colour palettes with little or no option to personally customise. However, increasingly, families are moving away from these traditional style coffins and opting for more colourful and completely personalised options.

Personalised caskets are a reasonably new concept and have been trending in popularity over the recent years. A personalised casket allows you to create a final tribute for your loved one for the last time. A personalised casket can help you pay your respects to your loved one, uniquely and creatively.

A casket is an essential element to a funeral and it can create a lot of emotion when it is seen. A personalised casket has a gentler and less confronting aesthetic compared to traditional timber veneer coffins. For this reason alone, it is easy to understand why a personalised casket can be a more meaningful choice for a funeral arrangement

​How Can You Customise a Personalised Casket?

A personalised casket is usually presented blank with the ability for family members and friends to customise it according to their loved ones personal preferences.

Cardboard Caskets are an excellent choice for this as they are essentially a blank canvas for those to honour their loved one in their own special way. It’s entirely up to you with how creative you want to be, the options are endless.

There are lots of different mediums to personalise a cardboard casket, such as  paints, crayons, and markers and making drawings on the casket. Some people paste images (using non toxic glue) of their loved ones on the casket to remember the wonderful times they spent together. You can also include special written messages from friends and family.

-  Photographs
-  Hand written messages of love, memories or quotes
-  Hobbies and activities
-  Favourite animals and pets
-  Landscapes
-  Sports teams
-  National identity (flags)
-  Beautiful natural Landscapes – click to see Outside The  Box Caskets Nature Eco Lid Designs

​Why Do People Opt For a Personalised Casket?

Creates Memories
A personalised casket allows family and friends to create memories for the last time. Expressing their own grief for the deceased can be very healing and cathartic in helping family members through the grieving process.
 
Adds Value
Your loved one who has passed away might not be there to witness the funeral, but you will be at peace knowing that you did something special for them. A personalised casket adds significant value to a funeral and makes the final send-off special and heartwarming. Imagine how you would feel if you were given a funeral that included a personalised coffin instead of a plain, old brown coffin? What would you rather? 

A Personalised Casket for Your Loved One

Want to create a lasting impression after the passing away of a loved one? Do you want the casket to speak volumes about how much you loved them and how much they will be missed.

At Outside the Box Caskets, we cater to personalised caskets at the request of our customers. We offer eco caskets that can be personalised according to your wishes and requirements. By choosing our DIY Kraft cardboard eco casket, you can create a unique design of your own. You can add photos, quotes, drawings, and other decorations and anything else you want. Our cardboard eco caskets are 100% biodegradable, so you don’t need to worry about harming our ecosystem.

Alternatively if you are stuck choosing something, there is our Nature Eco Lid Designs that are perfect for anyone who has an appreciation for the natural world that surrounds us. Choose from 6 nature inspired designs, from a picturesque New Zealand coastline to forest ferns or pohutukawa blossoms. The designs are printed directly onto the casket lid using 100% eco-friendly UV inks, ensuring you can add  colour to your casket without the impact on the environment.