Our Story
Natural burials can express various preferences and traditions but they all share in common the objective to minimize environmental impacts and return the deceased naturally, beautifully, and swiftly to nature.
The Natural Burial Vessels Company participates in realizing this objective by crafting and selling a range of aesthetically distinctive natural burial vessels, carriers, shrouds, urns and memorial elements.
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Natural Burial Vessels Company uses only natural, renewable materials to craft its products. We honor the departed by easing their return to the earth. We believe a natural, uncomplicated funeral dignifies the transition from one miraculous state of nature to the next.
Our deliberate use of the term burial vessels, rather than caskets, reflects our respect for differing perspectives on death and remembrance. At this meaningful milestone, we believe families deserve choices that reflect their values and fulfill the wishes of the departed. We are here to broaden those choices.
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Our Motivations
Much like planting trees or giving salvaged wood a second life, Natural Burial Vessels reflects a quiet but steadfast commitment to doing things more thoughtfully in a world that calls for greater environmental care.
Our business brings together five principles that matter deeply to its founders:
Natural materials. Made entirely from natural, readily renewable resources.
Complete biodegradability. Designed to return naturally to the earth.
Distinctive beauty. Hand-woven designs whose appeal needs no synthetic adornment.
Meaningful work. Sustaining traditional weaving skills and providing dependable livelihoods for artisan communities in an economically challenged region of Indonesia.
Affordability. Offering distinctive craftsmanship at accessible prices.
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Natural Burial Vessels interweaves two cultures into a shared set of goals.
Muhammad Nugroho (“Gro”) is a serial entrepreneur and seasoned international trader. He lives in Indonesia, in Jogjakarta, a city that is regarded as the nation’s center for education, arts, and culture. In Indonesia, Gro has been awarded grants and commendations by the city and national governments for expanding capacity in traditional craft communities to participate in international markets. His knowledge and appreciation of artisanal weaving traditions provided an important spark to the creation of Natural Burial Vessels, and it continues to facilitate and inspire the company’s growth.
Tim O’Brien has worked in Indonesia for over twenty-five years. He has focused on working with artisan communities to apply natural, renewable materials to craft distinctly beautiful, earth-friendly furniture and homewares. His design instincts are influenced by George Nakashima’s work and he believes that environmentally circumspect and supportive product choices should be available in every marketplace. He also believes that people evolved to prefer natural materials and forms to characterize their living and work spaces. Tim leads the NBV design team and he also offers an experienced hand in logistics management.
Agus Rafiqkoh (“Gus”) has built a long career in production management of salvage-wood furniture, wooden homewares, and woven objects. He oversees NBV’s production and he coordinates its material sourcing. Agus is proud of being one of the first people in Indonesia to recognize the distinctive beauty and value of “entombed wood” - trees buried by volcanic lahars and then uncovered hundreds or thousands of years later.
Aaron De Sturler grew up in Ireland and then moved to the Netherlands to begin a career in bicycle maintenance, repair, and sales. He moved to Miami in 2013 to lead a team of bicycle mechanics and sales people. He’s proud of his effectiveness in that role at having, during a five year tenure, persuaded hundreds of Floridians to switch from cars to bicycles - often equipped with luggage racks - for their primary mode of transportation. Today he applies his sales experience, strong work ethic, and engaging charisma to lead Natural Burial Vessel’s sales and distribution in the United States.
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Natural Burial Vessels Company works with seasoned artisans who specialize in time-honored crafting techniques. The hand-weaving of natural fibers has evolved over millennia, giving rise to a rich diversity of methods and patterns. Today, artisans must compete with cheaper mechanized production and synthetic materials, yet little compares to the beauty and grace of objects crafted by expert hands from natural fibers.
By supporting traditional craft practices that provide meaningful livelihoods while respecting the environment, Natural Burial Vessels helps preserve important social, environmental, and aesthetic values in the communities where it works.
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Thinking Ahead
Death is a milestone we all will meet. Considering it needn't invite anxiety or diminish our appreciation of life. It can instead be an opportunity to reflect on our wishes and make thoughtful choices about how we want to be remembered.
At Natural Burial Vessels, we encourage people to consider their end-of-life preferences in advance. Think about the objects that reflect your values and spirit, and, if you choose burial, where you would like to rest. These decisions can prompt meaningful conversations with those you love and ease their burden when the time comes.
Planning ahead is an act of care—for yourself and for those closest to you. It allows your wishes to be known, leaving you freer to attend to the life you're living.