Eco-coffins provide Singaporeans green option in death

Jan 7, 2008, 5:15 GMT

Singapore - Eco-coffins made from waste wood or tree branch timber are starting to give Singaporeans the option of 'going green' in death, a report said on Monday.

Singapore-based TentTech, which has sold nearly 100 of its environmentally-friendly coffins, said its caskets are a more sustainable alternative to traditional ones.

They appeal to the likes of Dr Tan Chek Wee, who told The Straits Times he wants his last journey to be a green one.

'Since I want to be cremated, I prefer not to kill a tree in the process,' the 52-year-old Tan was quoted as saying. 'I've always been a practical man.'

The National Environment Agency strongly encourages cremations in land-scarce Singapore for religions allowing it. Islam and Judaism require followers to bury the dead.

For those choosing cremation the environmentally friendly caskets burn up to twice as fast as ordinary coffins, resulting in less carbon emission.

Eco-coffins have caught on in the United States and Britain.

Singaporeans are not keen on the high costs of importing green paper coffins, made of densely compressed paper pulp, Tent Tech said. The price ranges between 600 and 3,000 US dollars.

Tent Tech's eco-coffins cost between 200 and 700 US dollars.