High-quality training of the coffin-makershas meant that Eco-coffins compare veryfavourably with the very best coffins made inSouth Africa. The fact that they are made fromsolid wood, with good joinery, is an addedadvantage over most other options.

labour-intensive approaches are used to clearharmful invasive alien plants.

~ r-- ".:i:-. "~

.~_ .•. ,.: __ •.i. ,'~ ~~ .<"

Workers cut the wood into plants for drying,prior to the construction of coffins.

* Negotiations will take place with the insurance industryto structure funeral policies to optimise the benefits forthe families of the deceased. People will also beencouraged to make Wills stipulating their wishesregarding their funerals.

The Eco-coffin Project:

* A labour-intensive component to grow indigenous plantsto be used for the rehabilitation of cleared land will also

provide trees for planning in remembrance of lovedones.

* The Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) willseek support for this project from overseas groups andindividuals, expanding the business prospects bothregionally and internationally along the lines of fair tradeand socially responsible investing.

* The coffins will be made available to the poor at cost­price, through faith-based organizations in South Africa,working in partnership with local authorities, traditionalleaders and ethical funeral companies. Faith-basedorganisations that provide pastoral care are workingwith the project to give specific counselling on the benefitsof simple yet dignified funerals.

* The project is labour-intensive at all stages, from theclearing of the invasive alien trees to the manufactureof the coffins. Opportunities are provided for the long­term unemployed. Emphasis is given to opportunitiesfor women, disabled people and former in-mates.

* The coffins are made from wood from invasive alien

plants cleared by the Working for Water programme.These plants (including certain pines, gums and wattles)are the biggest threat to South Africa's rich biodiversity,on top of having significant impacts on water security,the productive potential of agricultural land, the severityof wild fires, and many other impacts.

Analysis shows that people are being charged betweenR5,OOOand R7,500 for a standard (veneered, chipboard)casket, with all the trimmings. Eco-coffin's solid woodcaskets can be priced at about R850 - six to nine timesless, for a quality product, and with all of the social andecological benefits.

CASKETS

In South Africa, many poor people are persuaded to spendsignificant amounts of money - R2,500 (about US$350)or more - for a basic coffin. Yet high-quality Eco-coffinscan be provided at less than about R350.

Prominent South Africans are committingthemselves to be buried in a plain,unpainted coffin. The names of these peoplewill be made public at the formal launch.

The costs of funerals are crippling for the poor in manydeveloping countries. The profit-making within the funeralindustry extends to insurance packages that are buildinga culture of extravagant funerals. This creates furtherpressures on the poor to forego their future well-beingthrough this often-unaffordable practice - or to face theshame, humiliation and guilt of not being able to bury theirloved-ones in a manner that is being promoted as dignifiedand respectful.

COFr--

Benefiting the bereaved and the environment through dignified and affordable funerals.

.111~..r

A solid-wood coffin made fromfelled invasive alien plants, using

labour-intensive approaches.

.po

~ ..,/-tf,!'

• !~-'t""

The Eco-coffin Project aims to reduce the cost ofbereavement by producing high-quality coffins at almostcost price. This would mean that any money saved couldbe spent on the well-being of those left behind. In partnershipwith faith-based organizations, we are working to ensurethat low - cost coffins do not mean any loss of dignity orrespect.

Benefiting the bereaved and the environment through

dignified and affordable funerals.

Many poor people in Southern Africa borrow money, oruse all of their insurance payouts, to bury their loved-onesin ornate coffins. Yet it is possible, and in keeping with allmajor religious traditions, to hold dignified funerals that donot deepen the plight of the poor.

The Eco-coffin Project makes use of wood from invasivealien plants that have been cut down by the South AfricanWorking for Water programme. Not only are there theenvironmental benefits of this approach, but a significantnumber of previously unemployed people are trained to dothis work.

water & forestry

agriculture

environment & tourism

science & technology

health

correctional services

1'\.¥'k.,l.,;~;.~\~The World Bank

IISouth African

Faith-based Organizations

Dr Guy PresionNational Programme Leader, Working for Water Programme

E-mail: gpreston@mweb.co.za. Tel: +27.21.441-2700

•. ",\tlG f:

~o •0.

;Vi/' •••••••••••InCIlIef:_ •••••M....-.. omo..::::.=..:.-:=._~-~

The Eco-coffin Project was awarded US$150,000 (about R1 million) fora two - year pilot project - one of 31 winners, from over 2,600 entries, inthe World Bank's "Development Marketplace" finals in 2005. The projectis co-funded by the KZN Working for Water Programme through theKwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs.

Mr Martin Palmer

Secretary-General.Alliance of Religions and ConservationE-mail:martinp@arcworld.org • Tel: +44.122.575-8004

Contact Details:

Dr Jabulani MjwaraHead: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture

& Environmental Affairs

E-mail: jabulani.mjwara@dae.kzntl.gov.za • Tel:+27.33.355-9690

Invasive alien plants spread and grow like an environmentalcancer, threatening life and livelihoods - including byintense wild fires.By utilizing the wood, the cost of clearing is reduced.

~",~..••~

/~I/

Five basic designs have been made in the Eco-coffinrange. Coffins of varing sizes are also made. Biers, usedin Muslim funerals, will also be made.

Through the faith-based organizations, the Eco-coffinProject will seek to provide emotional support to thebereaved. This may include the planting of a tree inremembrance of the deceased.

Simple, quality finishing is used for lining thecoffins.

Winner of the World Bank's 2005 Development MarketplaceAward for Innovation.