Many natural burials are conducted without caskets.  If you should desire to use a bio-degradable casket, there are several type to choose from: cardboard, wicker or rattan, or wood. A simple wooden casket can be constructed at home with little expertise.  Cardboard and wooden caskets can also be ordered. Many are collapsible for shipment and take only a short time to put together.  There are several sites on the internet that advertise these, and they can be found with a simple search.  Some of the wooden caskets are absolutely beautiful.

Wicker caskets used to be common in the U.S., and they are available in England today.  I haven't found a current source in the U.S., beyond those made for small children.  I will post information on this site if I do locate a source.  If you know a quality craft person who may be interested in producing wicker or rattan caskets, please let me know.

The term "shroud" is still used in the funeral industry.  This commonly refers to burial clothing and is not the same as the traditional shrouds.  Most likely you will have to purchase the material to make your own.  I am presently in the process of developing a line of  fine traditional shrouds made from tightly woven hemp and other materials.  There shrouds will also be available with religious symbols, such as the pentagram or Celtic Cross; either silk screened or embroidered on the shroud itself or on other material for attachment.  Once these are in production I will establish a site where you may view the products. 

Please research all local and state laws for your area thoroughly.  Don't rely on word of mouth.  Many well meaning bureaucrats or others may not have the correct information.  FAMSA can help you in this.  Their web address is listed below.

The following books are recommended:

Caring For Your Own Dead" by Lisa Carlson.  This is an excellent source for state by state laws and problems identified in dealing with natural burials. The hard cover is out of print, but there is a paperback edition available.  ISBN: 0942679210 

The Affordable Funeral: Going in Style, Not in Debt" by  Dr R E Markin. Available in hard cover or paperback.  ISBN: 0961522348

Neo-Pagan traditions may vary greatly in beliefs and ritual.  Any ritual you use should be from the tradition of the deceased. Where there not specific burial rituals established,  the following book may help you:

"The Pagan Book Of Living And Dying - Practical Rituals, Prayers, Blessings, and  Meditations on Crossing Over"  by Starhawk, M. Macha Nightmare, and The Reclaiming Collective.  ISBN: 0062515160

Additional information about natural burials can be found at the following web sites.  Please let me know of any dead links, or other organizations involving natural burials you think should be included. 

The Natural Death Centre: England's major organization dealing with natural burials, this site has a wealth of information and ideas.  http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk

Natural Death Care Project:  Located in California, this organization works towards a dignified alternative to current funeral practices.  http://www.naturaldeath.org

Funeral and Memorial Societies of America (FAMSA):  This organization is staffed by volunteers in about every state.  They can answer many questions about burials in your area, or help you find the proper source.  http://www.funerals.org

Natural Death & Woodland Burial:  An index of detailed articles aimed at helping prepare people for death and dying.  http://www.globalideasbank.org/ndw/ndwcontent.html

Last Acts:  This organization is concerned with death and death related issues and palliative care.  They have a comprehensive list of organizations who are working towards this end.  http://www.lastacts.org/

For those interested in a further exchange of information and actively furthering the cause of natural burials and woodland burial reserves, please visit and join our "grass-roots" North American Woodland Burial Society. http://woodlandburial.htmlplanet.com

Our new e-groups topic of Natural Burial is also available:

This website is provided as a community service of the Ozark Full Life Church: http://www.credem.faithweb.com  

Thank you Amber, for your kind award.