Green funerals will allow the eco-friendly to meet their maker with a clear conscience.

A pioneering new scheme unveiled by Richmond Council is offering to bury people in cardboard coffins. For £60 it will provide a coffin and plant a tree on the grave.

The idea was introduced last year and the council have just had the first two green burials with a the third due this week.

A Council spokesman said: "Even the most basic coffins have varnish, glue, nails and other things but with cardboard ones there is very little pollution."

Terry Mills who helped to set up the conservation project at Crane Park said: "When my dad died in October he was buried in a cardboard coffin and I have arranged to be cremated in one. Basically the coffins are made out of recycleable material and not only is that good news for the environment but can work out cheaper."

A spokesman for Holmes and Daughters Funeral Directors said: "We do get enquiries about the service and we have done a couple of cremations using cardboard coffins."

The council now have a plot in East Sheen Cemetery for green funerals but under new laws you can now be buried in your own back garden.

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