Changes to Irish coffin laws mean you won’t have to get buried in a box

Do you hate the idea of being put in a coffin when you die? Well now you can rest in peace knowing you don't have to be buried in a box anymore.

For the first time in 125 years, bodies can be buried in Irish cemeteries without a coffin thanks to new regulations approved by Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan.

Since 1888, when Victorian burial rules were first brought in, it has actually been illegal to bury a body in an Irish cemetery “unless the body be enclosed in a coffin of wood or some other sufficiently strong material”.

However, the old rules are finally being done away with in order to facilitate members of the Muslim religion.

“The change to the rule follows concerns recently expressed by members of the Muslim community regarding their traditional burial rituals,” said a Department of the Environment spokesperson.

However, anyone will be able to bury their loved one without a coffin regardless of their religion, and that includes followers of The Flying Spaghetti Monster or even Atheists.

The move could actually help to save over populated cemeteries in Ireland and a similar idea is currently in place over in Australia where you can have your loved ones buried standing up in a bag. Lovely. Check out more about being buried in a bag Down Under here.