Cardboard ashes box, Europe, 1999

Ashes box, used by crematorium to give remains in person (not through the post), cardboard type, adult-sized, 1999.

Until the mid-1800s, most people in Britain were buried in consecrated ground near a church. This has changed over time and many people are now cremated before their ashes are interred. The change occurred for social and cultural reasons. These include changing attitudes toward established religion, the rise of other religious denominations, and lack of land.

Many crematoriums use this type of adult-sized ashes box to give the cremated remains to the family. Unlike the metal equivalent (2000-110), it is unsuitable for postage. It is made of cardboard, and therefore biodegradable and suitable for ‘green’ funerals. The box was produced by the General Cemetery Company.