Welcome to Eco-Urns
I make genuinely biodegradable urns by hand for green burials.
They break down over time in earth or water without harming the environment. If kept dry, they will remain stable until the time comes to decide to move on to the next stage of the process.
The materials used are scrupulously selected to be compostable, non toxic, organic and in some cases recycled as well.
Each urn is individually made to order, chosen by you to best celebrate the individuals life, passions and personality in whatever way you would like to.
The possibilities are endless.
Annie Leigh
Inspired by you, made with love
Personal
Whether the eco-urn is to be simple or complex, it will be unique.
The starting point is your enquiry, followed by our conversations and perhaps some roughs then finally your order.
Even the simplest plain urn is personal because it has been chosen by you and made by hand for you.
Our communication is the key to whatever you'd like the urn to convey - memories, images, feelings, events.
Any of the urns you see on the gallery can be customised to make it yours or you can have something completely different.
Natural
For the eco-urn to be completely appropriate for a green burial, great attention is paid to the choice of materials used.
Some are sourced directly from the natural world around us such as leaves, flowers, shells, seeds; some are simple plant based everyday items e.g cotton string, brown parcel wrapping paper, toothpicks, recycled cardboard and corrugated card.
VOC free pastes, glues, varnishes and colours made with organic ingredients are available thanks to the increasing interest in protecting the environment.
All these materials combine to make an eco-urn which will eventually break down back into its constituent elements causing no harm.
Truly Handmade
Each eco-urn is a one-off inspired by you.
The entire process is carefully done by hand: construction of the basic shape as a receptacle with a lid which allows the eco-urn to be sealed, and decoration by drawing, painting, collage, any 3D parts and fixings of string or wood.
Each one is handcrafted, so subtle differences appear between each one: similar but never exactly the same.
It's a time-consuming process. While working, I have time to reflect on the person I have been asked to make the urn for.