Maybe I just hang out with some strange people but more than once I have heard people remark about the foolishness of spending thousands of dollars to buy a hermetically sealed water proof time capsule for a coffin, that is most likely not very eco-friendly. When all you really need is a simple cardboard box. It seems UK based Ecocoffins and Australia based Life Art have the answer. They are makers of fine cardboard based coffins.

Given enough time anything you put into the earth is just going to rot away, so why fight nature. Just drop yourself in one of these sturdy cardboard boxes (if its good enough to ship that $10,000 flat screen TV its good enough to ship you) and your ready for the great adventure in the sky.

Ecocoffin in particular makes a very green product.

They are made from cardboard, but are unlike any other cardboard coffin on the market. Made from 90% recycled material, a rigid honeycomb construction provides strength and stability whilst being 100% biodegradable. Our product has been tested at crematoria and at traditional burial sites and are suitable for both.(via)

The natrual models from ecocoffin

The natural offerings from life art (notice the handles, its a nice touch)

But who wants to go out in a plain looking box? Some of these things are very nice looking indeed.

Both companies allow you fully customise the coffins here are some interesting ones.

Or maybe you want to meet the great beyond wrapped in the logo of your favorite sports team.

The sky seems to be the limit here (pun intended).

The price seems to be a lot lower than your average coffin, the I am sure cardboard will biodegrade faster than steal and wood. Once you have your ecofriendly cardboard coffin you can be burried out in the woods under a tree (my personal favorite) to enjoy nature.

There is even a cardboard coffin blog to keep up to date with the latest eco-death related news.

(hat tip to Inhabitat)