"We were thrilled with the Return to Sender Artisan casket we used for Mum. Decorating it was a wonderfully cathartic exercise.  Those that visited her during her illness wrote messages to her on it and it was looking extra beautiful by the time she died. The unwaxed surface was definitely easier to decorate with crayon and we were happy leaving it raw once finished.

Everyone loved the simple modern casket and your website has been passed on to many.  

Thank you."

M Procter, Ashburton

Return to Sender is the subject of a recent case study by the Ministry for the Environment. A PDF of the document can be downloaded from the ministry's web site. The case study focuses mainly on the environmental benefits but also discusses plywood in terms of it being an iconic kiwi material, aesthetics, simplicity and social benefits derived form the low sides of the Artisan.

The report recognises that the influence of design can have benefits beyond those achieved by replacing a toxic product with an environmentally preferable one. A product that goes beyond this can become eco-iconic and help forward sustainable thinking to influence product manufacture and consumption.

"My sister and I cremated our beautiful mother recently in a Return to Sender Artisan casket. We really appreciated the casket as a more sustainable option than a conventional one. We also liked the greater accessibility the casket gave us when it was open. The tactile qualities of the plywood, and even its ability to absorb tears, were welcome improvements on a traditional casket with its cold, formal look. We know our mum would have been delighted to have been sent off in the Artisan casket, and would recommend it to anyone looking for an eco-friendly celebration of a family member's life."

Simon Noble, Dunedin

"It has fresh ideas, very clever. I like how it clips together, and its usability. It is ahead of its time. It attracts a lot of attention in the showroom. It is good to have an eye to the future regarding emissions at crematoriums and the use of natural materials."

Craig Little, Davis Funeral Services (referring to the Artisan casket)

"My father died very recently. He was someone who treasured craftsmanship, good design, and man-made beauty. He also distained waste and had a strong belief in 'not using more than his share'. He was also quite particular about his own funeral and wanted a simple service. I had seen the artisan coffin in the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York earlier in the year and was very pleased that we were able to obtain one. I admit that we could not resist taking it apart in the funeral home (when empty!) to see how well it went together. It was a truly fitting object and was perfect as Dad's final resting place - a view very widely shared. My mother was delighted with it. I wish to pass on the family's most sincere thanks for your efforts in making such a beautiful object available for others to use."

Tony Marshall, Wellington

"I just wanted to pass on our great thanks for your wonderful designs. After a few days of visits and viewings in a Woodstock at Dil's, we buried our mum yesterday. It had become a familiar and nice new 'home' for her before we said goodbye. The straight rectangular design mean she had plenty of room and looked truly at rest, the integrated pillow/mattress thing blended well with the wood. The whole thing was a positive! We like to shoulder our family - I've had to do it four times now, and the woodstock was good - with well finished handles. So- thanks for a great vessel for her last voyage. Lowering her by rope into a hand dug hole in Hillsborough cemetery seemed an excellent end for this fine box."