Handcrafted Woven Burial Vessels Made in the Hudson Valley, NY
100% biodegradable caskets, burial trays and naturally dyed shrouds
About The Little Way Natural Caskets & Burial Trays
All woven caskets, burial trays and naturally dyed shrouds are uniquely handcrafted in the Mid Hudson Valley, NY. Each burial vessel is made by hand over several weeks of devoted work, with each material chosen with careful attention.
Burial vessels are a family effort, with my woodworker partner Jason Stanger handcrafting each pine base for the burial vessels, and my seamstress mother Mary Gross assisting me in sewing mattresses, pillow cases, and casket linings.
Each casket is unique, and it’s nuances are signs that a human being made it, rather than a machine. My weaving style is simple, and allows the beauty of the natural materials I’m working with to come through. I favor natural, soft color choices that serve as a reminder of hope.
To place an order:
Please review available options listed below.
If you would like to place an order, please email me at elizabeth@littlewaycaskets.com with your inquiry and the following information:
Which burial vessel option you are interested in ordering
What estimated or specific date your order needs to be ready by
The height and waist measurement of the person who will be buried in the vessel
Any personalized requests you have for your burial vessel, including colors or natural materials you’d like to incorporate as part of the casket design
Which payment plan plan and/or method you would like to agree to
For all orders, please allow three weeks for a custom made burial vessel to be ready. I do my best to keep premade burial vessels available in case of immediate need, but whether or not this option will work depends on individual measurements and what is presently available in my stock.
If you are looking for a burial vessel immediately, please contact me at elizabeth@littlewaycaskets.com. While I do my best to keep premade burial vessels in stock, many people choose to order burial vessels in advance of time of anticipated need, as they are revisiting their estate planning or advanced care plans. Planning ahead is one way of making wishes known to family, and having everything ready so that when the time comes, burial care is more easeful.
While I do my best to meet the design requests of my customers, I am at the whim of the materials I have available. Natural fabric dyes vary, and willow changes color after soaking, so accounting for these natural variants in each casket are important when considering a natural burial vessel.
Willow Woven Burial Tray
Willow woven burial tray, 2025
Burial trays are open at the top and are designed to be paired with a shroud. Burial trays are made with willow, pine, and hemp rope. The fabric I use for burial tray mattresses are made of cotton, and the filling of mattresses are made of wool and dried herbs. When applicable to the burial tray design, I naturally dye the fabric that is used for burial tray mattresses.
Each burial tray includes:
A uniquely handcrafted willow woven burial tray with a pine base and hemp rope
A mattress made with cotton muslin and filled with wool and dried herbs, with the cotton naturally dyed if applicable to the tray design
Free delivery within 50 miles of Rosendale, NY
Pricing:
$1,800 + $144 tax (total $1,944)
Payment Plan Options:
Burial trays and casket baseboards are made of local pine wood
Payments accepted by check or monthly invoicing, due on the 1st of the month. Payment plans must be completed by the time of burial tray delivery. Payments are non-refundable.
Pay in full at time of commitment (1,944)
1 deposit due upon commitment ($972) + 1 monthly payment of $972
1 deposit due upon commitment ($486) + 3 monthly payments of $486
Willow Woven Casket
Willow Woven Casket, 2025
Caskets have a lid and are designed to be sealed at the top at time of burial. Caskets are made with willow, a pine base and lid board, and hemp rope. The fabric I use for casket lining, mattress, top sheets and pillows are made of cotton, and the filling of mattresses and pillows are made of wool and dried herbs. When applicable to the casket design, I naturally dye the fabric that is used for the fabric used in the casket design.
Handmade casket buttons made of willow, 2025
Each Casket includes:
A uniquely handcrafted willow woven casket base and lid with a pine base and lid board and hemp rope.
A mattress made with cotton muslin and filled with wool and dried herbs, with the cotton naturally dyed if applicable to the tray design
Free delivery within 50 miles of Rosendale, NY
Pricing:
$2,500 + $200 tax (total $2,700)
Payment Plan Options:
Payments accepted by check or monthly invoicing, due on the 1st of the month. Payment plans must be completed by the time of casket delivery. Payments are non-refundable.
Pay in full at time of commitment ($2,700)
1 deposit due upon commitment ($1,350) + 1 monthly payment of $1,350
1 deposit due upon commitment ($675) + 3 monthly payments of $675
Naturally Dyed Shrouds
Shrouds may be used on their own or paired with a burial tray. Shrouds are either made with natural cotton muslin or dyed with bioregional medicinal herbs, foraged wild plants, or cultivated flowers, which are available based on the season the dye process takes place.
All shrouds are sewn with 100% cotton thread and unbleached cotton muslin, which may be naturally dyed. My mother Mary Gross offers decades of experience as a seamstress and pattern-maker to assist in the creation of shrouds and casket linings. 2025
Each Shroud includes:
A uniquely handcrafted shroud which has been naturally dyed with local plants, when applicable
Free delivery within 50 miles of Rosendale, NY
Pricing:
$350 + $28 tax (total $378)
Payment Options:
Payments accepted by check or invoicing. Payments must be completed by the time of shroud delivery.
Pay in full at time of commitment ($378)
Have a Question?
Please allow 1-2 business days for a reply. Thank you!