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Dying for a different way to be buried
DIY FUNERAL: Maggie Evans with a banana leaf coffin
Fancy being turned into a diamond after death? Maybe having your cremated remains shot into space...
A Lancashire businesswoman is offering people the chance to decide how their remains should be disposed of after death and is offering a range of biodegradable coffins including ones made of cardboard and bamboo leaf so their loved ones can carry out a DIY burial.
Maggie Evans, of Farringdon Crescent, Farringdon Park, Preston, has set up EvansAbove, a small organisation which primarily promotes DIY and Greenfield burials.
However, she is also an agent for Phoenix Diamonds, which turns cremated ash into diamonds, and for Celestis in Houston, Texas, which launches cremated remains into space.
Maggie, 54, who used to be a PA for an insurance company, said: “Death is the one thing we all have in common, so why shouldn’t we all plan our own final send off?
“I adore graveyards and have always been interested in the subject of death. I make a habit of walking around cemeteries wherever I go in the country. I just love them and the older they are, the better.
“Cemeteries are just so peaceful and historical and there are lots of interesting things to read on gravestones.
“Because the world is growing, we have to think of alternative ways to dispose of ourselves after we have gone.
“People react differently to the subject of death. Some prefer not to think of it at all while others confront it head on and make plans for their future demise and then get on with living.
“DIY funerals is when you do everything yourself instead of giving the planning and responsibility to a funeral director.
“Greenfield burial is a more environmentally friendly way to dispose of ourselves after death. It is the ‘third’ way of disposal alongside traditional burial and cremation.
“Greenfield burials have become more popular over the last 20 years and there are now more than 200 natural burial grounds in the UK. Greenfield sites are returned to woodland, wild flower meadows or pasture land.”
Maggie will source and supply willow, wicker, bamboo, cardboard, eco pods and banana leaf coffins to individuals who wish to buy their funeral products pre-death.
She can also supply cremation urns, wool shrouds and jute products. Pet products can also be supplied.
Maggie can also put people in touch with companies that can turn cremated ash into diamonds or send remains into space.
She said: “Phoenix Diamonds is a company which turns cremated ash into real diamonds. Although it is expensive, it is a nice way of remembering a loved one. Instead of keeping their remains in an urn, you can put the diamond in a piece of jewellery and wear it.
“If people are interested in either this or having their remains sent into space, I can contact the company on their behalf.”
Maggie believes people who plan their own DIY funerals can save money on their future funeral costs.
She says people can beat inflation by buying one of the coffins she supplies now and then keeping the products at home until they are eventually needed.
Maggie says funeral costs have risen a lot in recent years and that it can sometimes be difficult for surviving family to pay for funeral director fees.
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Weather for Preston
Friday 25 May 2012
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Diesel10
Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 03:23 PMBuy your coffin now and keep it until to die to save a few quid - can you imagine how freaked out your kids would be with your coffin hanging around your spare room or garage? My husband would like to be buried at sea - can you still do this?
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