As the world becomes increasingly concerned about air pollution and global warming, people have begun to consider the environmental cost of cremating traditional coffins, which often emit toxic fumes when burned. A US firm plans to begin offering “composting” funerals this year. Britain’s Prince Philip was reportedly buried in a wool coffin. Wicker and bamboo coffins have become increasingly popular.

“The advantage of those kinds of boards is they reduce the use of materials from trees. They save 80 per cent compared with chipboard or MDF [medium-density fibreboard, another wood product].”





