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.

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.​

You can choose a plain kraft casket, select one of our printed lid designs for a touch of colour or softness, or create something fully customised using your own photos or artwork. Some families prefer to decorate the casket themselves, adding messages, drawings, flowers, or meaningful details. Others choose to keep things simple. Either way, it’s a decision that allows you to 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 recognised environmental standards for green burials here — something we care deeply about.

This personalised photo collage design can be created using your own images. View our custom casket options here.

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

We’re not here to replace tradition, just to offer an option that feels more personal and a little kinder to the planet. A gentle departure for people who want to do things a bit differently.

You can view our casket range here or speak with your local funeral director about ordering an Outside The Box Casket.