What Families Want to Know About Cardboard Caskets (and Why They’re Choosing Them) Funerals are changing. Families are starting to move away from the polished wood veneers and shiny fittings and choosing something simpler, more personal, and better for the planet. Not because they don’t care, but because they do. Cardboard caskets offer a real, down-to-earth way to say goodbye. These are some of the questions we often hear when it comes to our cardboard caskets. Strength. Are they strong enough? Yes. Each Outside The Box Cardboard Casket is made from a specially developed New Zealand-made board that has been tested, refined, and proven over years. They meet all the requirements for cremation and burial and for green/natural burial too. We were even the first cardboard casket in the country to meet the strict requirements for natural burial certification. So yes, they are cardboard, but not just any cardboard. Simplicity. Is it just a cardboard box? No, and very far from it. Our cardboard caskets are very well made and cleverly engineered, some would say overly engineered caskets that just happen to be made of cardboard. You can keep it simple, go for the plain kraft DIY, decorate it, or personalise it with artwork or flowers. Some families write messages, others choose a printed lid design. There are so many options. You can view our casket range here.  It’s a quiet kind of statement: no shiny wood or blingy hardware, something softer, more natural, and down to earth (literally). People often think “cardboard” means no fuss, but it still is a bit of a fuss, in the best way. It ticks all the boxes: something a bit different, something that feels right, and something that still looks beautiful. Go for the simple plain kraft or the bright printed lid. It is not just the eco side of things or being “cardboard” where people say “put me in a cardboard box” (which we all know is not that straightforward). Maybe put me in an Outside The Box, but anything else, maybe not. Sustainability. Is it better for the environment? Yes. Recycled cardboard with FSC-certified kraft fibres, all fully biodegradable. No metal, no plastic, nothing that does not need to be there, and nothing that cannot be put back into the earth and returned to nature. Outside The Box Caskets are certified for natural burial, and they break down gently over time. Even if being eco-friendly was not the main reason you chose it, it still feels good knowing you have done something kind for the planet. A win-win, really. Story. What does it say about the person? It says they cared. That they wanted something real, something that felt like them. It’s for people who don’t want the polished look of a traditional coffin but still want something meaningful and personal. It is a small departure from the ordinary, a casket that is personal, natural, and (let’s be honest) a bit different. You could say it’s a little outside the box.  Funeral director Benjamin James (@benjaminjamesendoflife), using one of our Outside The Box Caskets. Made for New Zealand Families
You don’t need to see us in a catalogue or brochure to ask for one. Just tell your funeral director you’d like an Outside The Box cardboard casket and they’ll know what to do. Even if we’re not shown on a printed list or website, our caskets are available and easy for them to order in. We’ve worked with funeral homes across New Zealand for more than five years, offering both plain kraft and printed cardboard caskets. Whether you’re after something simple or more personal, it’s available to you, just ask. We also have a map of stockists below, but not every funeral director we work with is listed. If you don’t see yours there, just ask, most can easily arrange one for you. View Outside The Box Caskets Stockists Our caskets are made here in New Zealand from our own specially developed cardboard. They’re strong, personal, biodegradable, and made to help families say goodbye in a way that feels genuine. Because when you think of a cardboard casket, it shouldn’t be just any box. It should be an Outside The Box Casket, one that truly ticks all the boxes, even while it’s outside them.
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Casket Prices NZ – What to Know About Costs How much does a casket cost in New Zealand? It’s one of the many first questions families ask when they’re starting to plan a funeral, and it’s a fair one. Casket prices NZ can vary quite a bit depending on the type, material, and any custom touches you choose. Whether you're working within a budget or looking for a casket that reflects the personality of the person you're farewelling, understanding the typical price ranges can help ease some of the pressure during an already difficult time. What affects the cost of a casket? There are a few main factors that influence casket prices in New Zealand:
Typical casket prices NZ To help you get a sense of casket prices NZ, here’s a general guide. Traditional solid timber caskets These usually start from around $3,000, depending on the type of wood, level of craftsmanship, and finishing details. MDF caskets (Medium Density Fibreboard) A more affordable option than solid timber. MDF is a type of engineered wood commonly used for standard caskets in New Zealand. These caskets generally range from $1,200 to $3,000, depending on the finish and design. Metal caskets Less commonly used in NZ, but when chosen, they generally start from around $4,000. Eco cardboard caskets Cardboard caskets are generally one of the more affordable options. They often start from around $800, but the final price can vary depending on the design, size, and how your funeral home prices their services. Your funeral director can give you an accurate quote based on what you choose. *These prices are indicative only. They can vary depending on the funeral home, chosen design, and may change over time. At Outside The Box Caskets, our cardboard caskets are a simple, sustainable option that’s usually more affordable than solid timber. The board we use isn’t just any old cardboard, it’s specially engineered for us, made from recycled fibres, and designed to be strong enough for casket use. Our caskets are designed and made right here in NZ and can be left plain or printed with personal designs. Read more about Becs the designer and founder of Outside The Box Caskets.   Why more people are choosing eco caskets
Simple. Sustainable. Personal. It’s what many families are after, and it’s what our caskets are designed for. Our caskets are:
How to buy Outside The Box Caskets are available through funeral homes throughout New Zealand. If you’re interested in one of our caskets, just let your funeral director know you’d like to choose Outside The Box Caskets. They’ll provide a full quote based on your chosen design and arrange everything on your behalf. The price you’re quoted from the funeral home will usually include their time and service, not just the casket itself. Funeral homes all set their own pricing, which usually includes not just the casket, but the service and care they provide as part of the funeral arrangement. If you're not sure where to start, have a look at our Stockists page to see which funeral homes offer our caskets. And if your chosen funeral home isn’t listed, that’s okay, you can still ask for one. You don’t have to go with whatever’s presented to you. We’ve put together a simple guide to help: How to Ask for a Cardboard Casket – A Simple Guide You can also browse our current range of personalised cardboard caskets here to see some of the styles available. Every family has different needs, and every funeral is personal. Whether you're looking for a simple, affordable option or something with a personal touch, understanding casket prices NZ can help you plan with confidence. Why the Most Popular Coffin Isn’t the Only Choice Because Funerals Don’t Have to Look the Same In most New Zealand funeral homes, the most popular coffin is made from MDF with a woodgrain veneer. Oak finish, mahogany finish, satin finish, it looks like wood, and it’s what many families recognise straight away. It’s been the standard for decades, and for a lot of people it feels safe and familiar. There’s nothing wrong with that. For many families, it’s exactly the right choice. When it comes time to choose a casket, families are often shown a selection by their funeral director. In that moment, one of the most common questions people ask is, “What do most families choose?” “What’s your most popular?” It’s an understandable thing to ask in such a hard time. People want reassurance. They want to know they’re making the safe, normal choice. And the answer is usually the same: the mid-range MDF coffin with a woodgrain finish. Oak look, mahogany look, satin finish. It’s familiar, it looks traditional, and it has been the standard for decades. That’s why it’s the most popular. Not because it’s the only option, but because it feels safe and familiar. But It’s Not the Only Choice The standard wood grain veneered coffin might feel like the safe answer, but it isn’t the only option. Even within cardboard coffins, there are some designed to look just like traditional veneered MDF.  Families can add drawings, messages, and artwork, making the casket part of the farewell. Outside The Box Caskets is purposely different. We’re not trying to look like something else. We don’t hide the fact we’re cardboard, we show it off! It’s beautiful in its own right. What you see is what you get. Simple, natural and authentic. Outside The Box Caskets offer something different. Made in New Zealand from a combination of recycled cardboard and kraft fibres, a board specially made for our caskets, they are calm, approachable and modern. They do not have the hard glossy finish of traditional coffins. Instead they bring a different kind of dignity. Softer, lighter and more personal. They bring a gentle presence that feels completely different from the traditional casket people are used to seeing. And they can be personal. With MDF or polished timber, you can’t draw on the surface. You can’t write notes or cover it in artwork. Our caskets invite that. Families decorate them with drawings, messages, and photos. Children add their own touches. Friends write their goodbyes. The casket becomes part of the farewell, not just a container for it. Even left plain, they stand out. They bring a simplicity and a warmth that many people didn’t even know was possible. More than just eco Yes, they’re eco-friendly. That matters to many families. But that’s not the only reason people choose them. They choose them because they want something that is different, Something modern. Something that doesn’t look like the same coffin everyone else has. Because why should a final goodbye look like everybody else’s? Ask the question When the funeral director hands you the catalogue, it can feel easiest to choose the most common option. The one that has been chosen for decades. The one that feels safe and familiar. But you do not have to stop there. There are other options. If you do not see us in the front, flip right to the back of the catalogue, that is often where we are hiding. We know we should be at the front (and one day we will be). Maybe one day the catalogue will open and the standard choice will be Outside The Box. Imagine a time when the most popular choice is not a MDF casket with a woodgrain finish, but a cardboard casket. A new kind of standard. Funerals do not have to follow the script. They do not have to follow the standard. They can be different. They can be personal. They can be Outside The Box.  Becs’ Story – How Outside The Box Caskets Began Becs with a range of printed cardboard caskets, designed to celebrate individuality. This is a bit of a deeper story… For people who don’t know the background to Outside The Box, there’s more to it than just making and selling caskets. This is a story about rethinking traditions, about taking a material most people overlook and turning it into something strong, beautiful, and meaningful. It’s about asking why things have to be the way they are and then doing the work to change them. It’s also a story about patience. About chipping away at an industry that doesn’t move quickly. About holding onto an idea when it would have been easier to let it go. And at the heart of it all is Becs, her Nana, and an idea that just wouldn’t go away.  Becs with her Nana in a childhood photo. The idea first came to Becs at her Nana’s funeral in 2011. She remembered looking at her casket, shiny, heavy, and cold, and wondering why they all looked the same. Why did something so personal have to feel so impersonal? Why did they all look like that? That thought tapped into something that had been part of her for years and that thought didn’t go away. Back in the early 2000s, while studying industrial design, Becs explored all kinds of creative projects. She even exhibited a piece of furniture at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, one of the world’s biggest design fairs. In her final year project she also created a piece of furniture using paper pulp. It was an unusual choice at the time as eco-friendly materials weren’t really in fashion, but she was drawn to its possibilities. That project sparked a lasting fascination with how cardboard and paper-based materials can be engineered into something strong, versatile, and beautiful. At the time, “eco-friendly” design barely made it into the university curriculum. It was treated like a nice-to-have, not the main event. Becs liked it anyway, but the industry wasn’t ready. Fast forward a decade, and the world had changed. Sustainability wasn’t just a buzzword, it was an expectation. And this wasn’t the kind of cardboard you find in a fridge box or courier packaging. The material she would one day use for her caskets is a specially made, high-performance recycled cardboard, designed for strength and structure, and precise engineering works together to create something far stronger than most people imagine. By the time she began developing her casket designs, Becs already had years of design experience under her belt. But this project was different. It combined her creative skills, her love of innovative materials, and her deep belief that there had to be another way. So when the memory of her Nana’s casket collided with her long-standing curiosity about cardboard, the idea began to take shape: a casket that was strong, beautiful, and environmentally kind, without being bound to the traditional coffin look. Becs thought, what if you could design one that was as beautiful as it was strong? Something that could be carried with dignity, and that didn’t have to look like every coffin you’ve ever seen? She wanted something modern but timeless, that could be carried with pride, and that broke down naturally without harming the earth. Cardboard caskets have existed for well over 20 years, but they weren’t good quality. Most were literally just boxes: weak, flimsy, you couldn’t use them for a proper funeral service, you definitely couldn’t carry them, no pallbearers, and frankly, a bit embarrassing to use. The eco idea was there, but the design was missing. Turning the Idea into Design In 2018, she started sketching. Pages filled with ideas for shapes, lid angles, and structures that could challenge the traditional coffin look. From there, she began making small prototypes out of cardboard - miniature versions she could hold. Those early models were simple, but they helped turn the ideas on paper into something tangible, ready for the next stage of testing.  Early sketches and miniature cardboard prototypes. She visited funeral homes, taking the temperature of the market. Not everyone liked the idea. Some directors tilted their heads politely and said things like, “Not sure about that, sounds like a good idea, but…” Others said, “We don’t believe in eco” or “Cardboard isn’t dignified.” Others shook their heads outright. The funeral industry is deeply traditional, and change can be a slow process. She kept going anyway. The early days were not glamorous. Her garage became a workshop slash test lab, littered with offcuts and prototypes. She built testing rigs out of Kiwi milk crates, stacked weights using cement bags from the local hardware shop, and pushed each design until it failed. She refined the design again and again, focusing on how the board fitted together, the layering, the way the fluting worked, over-engineering it so it could be carried with confidence and dignity.  Kiwi ingenuity at its finest. Weight testing in the garage with milk crates. Through the testing process, plenty of people offered “helpful” suggestions, things like, “Just add a plastic clip,” “A cable tie would make that so much easier,” or even “Why not just use staples?” But Becs was determined to keep the design 100% natural. No plastic, no metal. It had to be made entirely from materials that would return to the earth. That persistence paid off. Her casket became the first cardboard casket in New Zealand to be fully certified by Natural Burials NZ. Becs remains directly involved in the making, from tying the lid ties by hand to creating the lid print designs, ensuring every casket reflects the same care and values that inspired the very first design.  Becs in her garage, surrounded by cardboard casket prototypes. By the end of 2019, she had a design she was proud of. It was time to put it through official testing. Partnering with one of New Zealand’s top casket manufacturers, they ran the full testing process, including the big one: loading the casket with 320 kilograms to prove its strength. It passed with ease.  Official weight testing, loaded to 320 kg. By 2020, she was set to launch, and then the first COVID lockdown hit. While the world shut down, Becs pressed on, officially launching in the middle of the chaos. Recognition came quickly and unexpectedly. She won Gold at the Good Design Awards in Australia, Gold at the Australasian Packaging Design Awards, and was nominated for sustainability and innovation awards. But the best wins weren’t the accolades. They were the quiet moments when a funeral director who once had no interest in her caskets would say a family had asked for one, so they ordered it. Or when a family would tell Becs it was exactly what Mum wanted. One family wrote: “Dad’s wish was to be placed in a cardboard box. Our wish was to honour him with a dignified and meaningful send-off. Thanks to Outside The Box Caskets, he got both.” Another funeral director said: “We have used Outside The Box caskets a number of times and our families absolutely love them! Whether it is to provide a certified eco-friendly option or just a simple, no-fuss casket that can be drawn on, covered in stickers, decoupaged, or decorated by the ‘artist’ in your family, Outside The Box caskets are the perfect solution.”  Five years on, Outside The Box Caskets are available to funeral homes across New Zealand and Australia. Some funeral directors still aren’t convinced, and that’s fine. They’re not for everyone. But for the families who want something different, simple, beautiful, and sustainable, they’re an option that didn’t exist before. This isn’t a budget product. It’s not “just a box.” It’s the result of years of design thinking, engineering, and stubbornness, created by someone who knew there had to be another way. Becs often says Nana was the reason she started, but the families who use her caskets are the reason she keeps going. And in a world where so many things look the same, she’s proud to offer something that’s truly… outside the box! Because at the end of the day, it’s for the people who, at one of life’s hardest moments, deserve something that feels just right and a bit of a departure from the ordinary. That’s what it’s about. Also, a big shout-out to the support she’s had from the industry and the people who have backed her from day one to keep going.  Flatpack’s Great for Furniture, Not for Farewells One of our most requested coastal prints, photographed on the west coast of NZ Why Our Caskets Aren’t Flat Packed and Never Will Be People often assume that because our caskets are made from cardboard, they must arrive flat packed like some kind of DIY kit. They don’t. And they can’t. That smooth, curved lid you see? The angled base? You can’t fold that up flat. There’s no way to flatten it without turning it into a basic rectangle. And that was never the vision. Flatpack Exists. Just Not Here Yes, there are cardboard caskets on the market that come flat packed. They arrive folded up in a box, ready for you or someone else to build when the time comes. That’s fine for some people. But that’s not what we do. We don’t make DIY kits. We don’t do basic boxes. We definitely don’t do cheap, flimsy cardboard. And we definitely don’t do boring. Because flatpack was never what we set out to do.  Outside The Box Caskets - Fern lid design with jute rope handles Why We Don’t Do Flatpack Caskets
There are plenty of cardboard caskets on the market that come flat packed. That’s fine if you’re after something boring and basic. But that was never the plan for us. To make our design flatpack, we’d have to strip it right back. Make it rectangular. Easier to fold. Easier to box up. Flatpack only works if the shape is basic, straight sides, sharp corners, no curves. And to get there, you have to sacrifice shape, aesthetics, and soul. You lose presence. You’re back to a box. Something that looks more like storage than ceremony. That would’ve been easier. But we don’t do easy. Easy isn’t how we got here. And it’s not what this is about. We didn’t want a fold-up coffin that looks like a shipping crate. And we didn’t want to do traditional either. We wanted something different. • Something beautiful. • Something strong. • Something honest. Something that reflects what people actually want even in the hardest moments. For something truly personal, we offer a range of printed lid designs or a plain kraft casket that can be decorated by hand. Learn more about personalising a casket here. Because we are not a box. And we never wanted to be. So Why Don’t We Flatpack • Because they need to work. Our caskets can handle up to 320kg, be carried by pallbearers, and still fit respectfully into any funeral setting. • Because they need to look good. Flat means boring. Boxy. We designed our caskets to look and feel different. Not just a box. • Because they need to arrive ready. It shows up built, strong, and finished. As it should. How It Works • Every Outside The Box Casket is assembled in-house • It’s delivered directly to the funeral home • There’s nothing for you or your family to build or figure out Back to the Name We’re called Outside the Box Caskets for a reason. We never set out to make just a box, not in shape, and not in thinking. Flatpack was never the goal. Dignity was. Beauty was. Sustainability and strength were. If you want a casket that can carry real weight and still look good doing it, you can’t make it flatpack. Not without turning it into just another box. And that’s the point. We are not a box. It’s something else entirely. And we’re proud of it. Outside the Box Caskets are available through funeral homes across the country. Just ask your local funeral director.  Why We Should Give a Bit More Credit to the People Who Step Up When It Matters Most Funeral directors have taken a bit of heat in recent years. Some people feel they charge too much, or that the funeral industry’s too focused on profit. And sure, it’s fair to ask questions. Funerals can be expensive, and not everyone has the same experience. But here’s the thing: most people don’t see the work happening behind the scenes. When someone dies, there’s more to do than choosing a casket or booking a time for the service. There’s paperwork, logistics, transport, family dynamics, legal details, cultural practices, and a lot of it needs to happen quickly. That’s where funeral directors come in. When you’re grieving, even basic tasks can feel overwhelming and for a lot of people, dealing with forms, timelines, logistics, or figuring out how to arrange care for a loved one’s body is just too much. Funeral directors know what needs to happen, and they know how to do it with compassion, clarity, and professionalism. They carry out a wide range of duties that ease the burden for families, including: • Handling legal and administrative matters, such as registering the death, arranging permits, and obtaining the official death certificate. • Caring for the deceased with dignity and professionalism, including transport, preparation, and, where requested, embalming. • Coordinating the funeral, managing logistics, booking venues, liaising with cemeteries or crematoria, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day. • Personalising the service, helping families create a meaningful farewell that reflects the life and values of the person who has passed. • Providing emotional support, offering practical guidance and compassion at a time when people are often overwhelmed and vulnerable. It’s not just a job. It’s a service built on empathy, experience, and attention to detail. Like any industry, there are different levels of service. But most funeral directors in New Zealand are in this line of work because they genuinely care. It’s not an easy job. It takes emotional strength, long hours, and the ability to meet people in their darkest moments , often with very little thanks. That kind of care deserves some recognition. Yes, You Can Plan a Funeral Yourself If you or your family want to go the DIY route, that’s awesome. There’s a growing movement of families choosing to do more themselves; caring for the body at home, holding private services, or keeping things simple and personal. It’s a beautiful option for those who are up for it, and we fully support families making choices that reflect their values. If this is something you’re considering, it’s worth looking into before you actually need it. There are great resources out there, and understanding what’s involved ahead of time can make a big difference. Legal requirements still need to be met. The body must be cared for properly. Timelines can be tight. And in the midst of grief, it can be a lot to manage, even for the most organised families. That’s why, for many families, working with a funeral director brings real peace of mind. For some, it’s not a luxury. It’s a huge relief.  Some families choose to personalise their farewell by decorating a cardboard casket, a hands-on, meaningful way to honour a loved one. There’s Room for Both Traditions and New Ideas
At the same time, we know many families today are looking for something a bit different, something that feels personal, simple, and more in line with their values. That’s part of why we created our cardboard caskets. They’re made here in New Zealand from 100% biodegradable materials, without plastic or metal, and they’re approved for both cremation and natural burial. Whether families want to decorate them by hand, or choose one of our printed nature designs, it’s about giving people a real alternative to the traditional and one that many funeral homes across the country are proud to support. It’s also worth saying: working with a funeral director doesn’t mean giving up control. It’s not an all-or-nothing situation. A good funeral director can be as involved or as hands-off as you want. Some families want to be involved in every step. Others would rather hand over the details and focus on grieving. Most fall somewhere in the middle. And that’s okay, there’s no one right way to do this. What matters is that you feel supported. There are a growing number of funeral homes around New Zealand that offer exactly this kind of flexibility. They’ll meet you where you’re at, whether you’re planning something formal, natural, spiritual, simple, or deeply personalised. It’s not about following a fixed formula. It’s about making space for grief, memory, and meaning in a way that feels right for your loved one. Funeral directors don’t just organise services, they guide families through one of the hardest moments of their lives. They carry the weight so you don’t have to. And while they might not always get the praise, they deserve a bit more credit than they get. There’s more than one way to farewell someone, and no one path is right for everyone. But for many, having someone there who knows the way can make all the difference. Credit where it’s due.  Eco-friendly cardboard casket - simple, sustainable, and NZ made. 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.  Adding drawings and messages turns a cardboard casket into something deeply personal and meaningful 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. 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: 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. 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. You can view our range here or talk to your local funeral director about ordering an Outside The Box Casket.  Printed Lids and Doing Death a Bit Differently We’ve been making cardboard caskets for five years now. Quietly, steadily. No huge fanfare just doing the work and offering something a bit different in an industry that doesn’t always change quickly. When we started Outside The Box Caskets, it came from a pretty simple place: we saw a gap. There weren’t many (or really any) options for people who wanted a more sustainable, down-to-earth kind of casket, something that felt less traditional, less heavy in every sense of the word. So we made one. A cardboard casket that’s strong, clean, and genuinely kind to the planet. And honestly? We think it looks pretty good too. Well, we think so, and so we’ve been told. But it’s not just about looks. There were a couple of years of prototyping, development, and testing before we landed on the final design. We tried things, scrapped them, tried again - until we had something we felt proud to put our name on. Our caskets are built to hold up, and weight tested to 320kg. Do you know any other cardboard coffin that can do that? Neither do we. And to be clear, it’s not just a box. That’s where the name comes from. Our caskets are different. Not showroom-perfect. Just something real, something people can connect with - especially when the usual options don’t feel quite right.  About the Lids
Now let’s talk lids, because that’s where people often really start to connect with what we do. We’ve got eight lid designs in our current range - prints that bring colour, softness, or even a bit of boldness to the casket. They’re printed right here in NZ too. If you’d like to see what’s available, you can view our personalised caskets here. It’s not about making a big statement - but you can if you want to. What matters is that people finally have a choice. For a long time, they didn’t. If a printed lid speaks to someone, great. And if none of them do, that’s totally fine too. We also offer a plain kraft cardboard casket, and that option can be deeply personal. Some families choose to decorate it themselves - paint it, write messages, cover it in flowers or artwork. It can become a really meaningful part of the farewell. We’ve seen that blank surface turn into a tribute full of love, laughter, and memory. Sometimes messy, sometimes beautiful. Often both. It can be a shared moment. A creative goodbye. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, just whatever feels right for the people involved It’s Not for Everyone - and That’s Fine We know our cardboard caskets won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Some funeral directors love them, some don’t and that’s completely fine. We’re not here to convince anyone. We’re here for the people who look at what’s usually on offer and think, nah, that’s not quite us. The whole point of Outside The Box Caskets is choice. We’re not trying to push anything on anyone. We’re here for the people who want something a bit different - something gentler, lighter, or more personal. And lately, we’ve seen a shift. More funeral homes are starting to offer our caskets, and we’re now available in Australia too, which is exciting. Word’s slowly getting out, and it’s clear that people have been looking for this kind of option - they just didn’t always know it was possible. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to make it a bit easier for people to say goodbye in a way that actually fits. Whether that’s with a printed lid, a plain one, or something totally DIY. Because it might not be your thing, but it might be someone else’s. And that’s why we do this. We’re not trying to reinvent everything. We just want to offer a good, solid alternative that feels more in line with the kind of send-off people actually want. Something that reflects the person - not just the process. If you’re after something a bit different - something lighter, more personal, or that just feels more like you (or the person you’re saying goodbye to) it’s worth asking your funeral director about Outside The Box Caskets. We were the first cardboard casket in New Zealand to be certified for natural burial, and we meet the standards for green burial here in NZ. We’re easy to find, both locally and now across the ditch too - in Sydney and Melbourne, where our cardboard caskets are also made.  Children decorating an Outside The Box kraft DIY eco casket 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). 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:
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.  Personalising a plain kraft eco coffin from Outside The Box Caskets. |
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Our eco caskets and ashes urns are available through funeral directors across New Zealand.
Design registered in New Zealand, Australia, UK, Europe, China, South Africa, and the USA.
© 2025 Outside The Box Caskets
Design registered in New Zealand, Australia, UK, Europe, China, South Africa, and the USA.
© 2025 Outside The Box Caskets
For sales & distribution enquiries, please contact us.
