Adapted from a letter to the Natural Death Centre.
On a recent trip to Zimbabwe, I spoke to some people who are producing a 'collapsible coffin' which uses very little wood (and so is to be encouraged) and is very transportable (it folds into a bag which you can sling over your shoulder).
The story behind the coffin is interesting. In Zimbabwe, like a lot of very poor countries, a family (meaning the extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles, etc) is lucky if they have one key breadwinner. That breadwinner is typically away from home, working in the city. When a family member dies, it is the responsibility of the breadwinner to buy a coffin and transport it back to the home which is often an isolated rural village. Because of local 'superstitions' about death, bus companies will not allow coffins to be loaded up on top along with all the other paraphernalia. So, private transport needs to be arranged. The cost of coffins is high and the transport home doubles the expenditure. Tradition dictates, however, that you do not skimp on a funeral. So the worker will take on a big debt which will take well over a year to repay.
That was before AIDS. AIDS - the disease Zimbabweans call 'Slow Puncture' - is changing the traditional attitude of indigenous Zimbabweans. AIDS is a terrifying epidemic in Zimbabwe and poses a big threat to the population. Now, the breadwinner will not be concerned with one death every few years but more than one, every year. They simply cannot afford the traditional approach.
This is when a group of enterprising Zimbabweans came up with what they call 'The Box', a terrific social invention which is proving popular in its early days of production. 'The Box' is a collapsible coffin. It does not have wooden sides or a wooden top. Just a wooden base which folds down into thirds and a shroud which is attached to the base. This all folds into a bag which can be slung over the shoulder and carried home on the bus. Not only is the coffin itself very cheap but the need for expensive (and environmentally costly) transport is done away with. They have had the foresight to copyright their design.
The shrouds come in three different colours - black, white and a more colourful ethnic design - although any shroud design is possible.
The group has already attracted the attention of the United Nations who, from time to time, face the enormous logistical problem of burying large numbers of people.
I agreed to bring a sample back here to Britain. The whole purpose of my trip was to look for ways to boost the trade of Zimbabwe (which desperately needs the income). I have now decided to make some enquiries, to see if 'The Box' has any future in Europe. My own motivation is to help friends in Zimbabwe and play a small part in boosting their economy.
Steve Andrews, 71b Shakespeare Road, London SE24 OLA (tel 0171 326 0274).