Albuquerque, NM – To give funeral homes a better alternative to the cardboard boxes typically used for cremation, Passages International, Inc. has released two new environmentally friendly cremation containers constructed from bamboo. These two new offerings give families a more dignified and green choice when choosing a container for a loved one’s cremation, and help funeral directors elevate their standard of care, at a similar price.

The Bamboo Cremation Container and the Four-Point Bamboo Casket’s environmental benefits extend from their inception to their final use. Passages has created these products using sustainably grown and renewable bamboo sourced locally, with no metal or plastic components. Both products are shipped flat-packed, drastically reducing the space needed for shipping or storage and minimizing their carbon footprint. They also come with available viewing lids that can be used for ID or viewing, in the case of the Bamboo Cremation Container or open casket and full services for the Four-Point Bamboo Casket.

The new Bamboo Cremation Container is best positioned as the entry-level or default cremation container, or as one step above the most basic cardboard option offered at funeral homes. Handmade from bamboo with minimal features or extras, it is a simple yet respectful choice for those families who still expect their loved ones to be treated with dignity, even when selecting direct cremation.

The Four-Point Bamboo Casket is one more step up. It includes a full cotton lining, pillow, carrying handles, and a certificate that can be redeemed for a memorial tree sapling. This product caters to families planning a service prior to cremation.

“These two products are long overdue in the industry. Until now, funeral directors have had no choice but to use various cardboard containers for the cremation of most bodies in the USA,” said Darren Crouch, president of Passages International. “This often leaves families shocked by the indignity of cardboard, it is not environmentally sound, and results in poor revenue generation for the business. Many families would pay more, but there is no inherent value in cardboard and no other options that meets their need for dignified and affordable simplicity.”

The new Bamboo Cremation Container and Four-Point Bamboo Casket from Passages benefit three major areas: they are better for families, better for the environment, and better for funeral professionals. The funeral industry is currently undergoing a major shift as cremation becomes the preferred method of disposition.

The Fair Trade designation of our Cremation Container and Bamboo Casket assures families that we are providing job opportunities in economically depressed areas, offering health benefits, and education to the staff that weaves them. Independent burn tests indicated non-toxic emissions, lower temperatures required to complete the cremation process and showed that bamboo containers produce a cleaner white smoke compared to cardboard’s dark smoke when cremated. In addition, they leave substantially less residue, resulting in purer remains being returned to each family.

In 2019, the National Funeral Directors Association reported over 50% of today’s families are interested in green funeral options. Funeral homes now need an affordable, eco-friendly, non-traditional and profitable option to offer to their families, or risk losing significant revenue opportunities and becoming out of touch with families. Funeral homes that offer the Bamboo Cremation Containers as the minimum option, assure those in the local community that they are part of the community, and they are concerned about the environmental impact of the cremation process. They believe families deserve better than cardboard.

Passages International, Inc. has led the green sector of the funeral industry for 20 years, with the largest selection of innovative, environmentally friendly urns, caskets, and memorial products. For more information on green funerals and their benefits visitwww.aGreenerFuneral.org. For more information on Passages products or Fair Trade visitwww.PassagesInternational.com.

Contact: Chris Ortiz, Marketing Coordinator
Passages International, Inc.
Chris@PassagesInternational.com
(505) 830-2500