Return to Sender coffins began as a final year project of a Bachelor of Product Design degree at UNITEC in Auckland, New Zealand. The designer, Greg Holdsworth, chose to design an eco-coffin after discovering what goes in to commonly used coffins and how that effects the environment. The awareness came about after returning to New Zealand just one week into a big OE to find his father-in-law laid to rest in a coffin in the family home. After coming to grips with the situation he noticed that the metal coffin handles weren't cold and discovered they were, in fact, plastic with a metal coating. On closer inspection he discovered that the coffin wasn't what it seemed either, it was MDF with a plastic woodgrain applied to the outside. Even the lining material was artificial. If the environmental aspects of this discovery wasn't enough he was struck with a feeling that the values of the coffin in no way matched the values of the man. Mike Jones was a passionate wood worker who spent his weekends rebuilding wooden sailing boats. Some years later Greg's father died. The difficulty sourcing an authentic coffin laid the foundation for Return to Sender eco-coffins.
Further information about Return to Sender products is available from:
Return to Sender eco-caskets
PO Box 56640
Dominion Rd
Auckland 1446
New Zealand
Tel: 0800 COFFIN (263346)
info@returntosender.co.nz