About
The Eco Coffin Project was launched in 2019 at the Gawler Sustainable Living Festival. So far it has been an exciting adventure which continues to unfold with wonderful life-affirming experiences. The best part is getting to know the beautiful curious humans who attend the programs, workshops and events we run. The Eco Coffin Project has now evolved into a growing dynamic community where we learn from each other as we share our experiences and wisdom about death and dying. We look forward to welcoming you.
THE IDEA
“I know first hand the value in being creatively hands-on as a collective group decorating the coffin of someone you love. The community love shone through and was my safety net as family and friends came together to decorate my son’s coffin at home after he was killed in a car crash when he was just 22.”
ISSUES
“Sadly, we have become not only disconnected from nature but also disconnected from death. Many of us are afraid of death, feel it is a taboo topic, or are just not comfortable talking about it. We bury death at the edge of our living places (cemeteries) and push it to the corners of our minds to avoid deeply thinking about our mortality. When death comes into our life, we quickly outsource it.”
LAUNCH
“It was encouraging to have lots of interested people ask questions and to see a queue form to register for the inaugural project. We were soon SOLD OUT and created a waiting list.”
Thanks to our Host & Sponsors
The Eco Coffin Project is made possible by the ongoing generosity of our Host, The Gawler Environment Centre and our community-minded Sponsors. We thank you all.
In the Media
The Eco Coffin Project is sparking interest in the media on TV, Radio, Print and Online. Check out some of the stories below.
Eco-friendly coffins on the rise as Australians look to reduce their environmental footprint
ABC News Online Article
ABC TV news
ABC DRIVE 891 Radio Presenter, Jo Laverty, chats with Abby Buckley about eco-coffins [9:38]
ABC Radio DRIVE 891
Why a growing number of South Australians are choosing to craft their own coffins ahead of time
ABC News Online Article
ABC Radio 101.5 Adelaide
Bunyip Press
ABC Radio SA mornings
ABC breakfast presenter Ali Clarke chats with Abby Buckley linking the Eco Coffin Project with Prince Phillip’s eco coffin. [link expired]
ABC Breakfast Radio Adelaide
Natural burials soon an option. Article about an eco coffin project participant’s advocacy!
The Courier
The Advertiser, SA Weekend
Bunyip Press
Meet our community
“Nothing of significance was ever achieved by an individual acting alone. Look below the surface and you will find that all seemingly solo acts are really team efforts.”
John C. Maxwell
Tracey Hall
Shroud Maker
David Cowell, Adelaide Plains Council
How to be buried on private land
Cooling plate demonstration
Shane Buckley
Eco Coffin Assembler
Taylor & Forgie Funeral Directors
Shroud-wrapping demonstration
💜 Alumni 💜
Past participants
Latest News
Socialise and keep up to date with our latest happenings.
“
My kids think it a huge joke that I am preparing my own coffin and just ask that I keep a screwdriver taped to the flat pack box to make assembly quicker and easier for them. Joking aside, it has opened up conversations with them and I have been able to tell them my wishes for after my death and it is now not being treated as ‘we can’t talk about that’.
Jan Abel
2020 Eco Coffin Project participant
Next Eco Coffin Project is 2025
