Trappist Caskets - Who We Are
Trappist Caskets is a work of the monks of New Melleray Abbey. We are monks of the Roman Catholic Church who belong to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, known as Trappists.
Founded in 1849, New Melleray Abbey was established at the time of the great famine by the monks of Mt. Melleray Abbey in Ireland.
As Cistercians, we follow the ancient monastic Rule of St. Benedict. Consistent with that rule, our vocation is expressed in a life of contemplative prayer, community liturgy, and manual labor. Simple living is one of the hallmarks of our life.
New Melleray Abbey launched Trappist Caskets in 1999, and shortly after began selling caskets and urns directly to families at wholesale costs. In addition to being a casket manufacturer, New Melleray Abbey continues its 160 year tradition of sustainable farming, particularly chemical-free crops and raising organic Black Angus beef.
Our work at Trappist Caskets provides us with both meaningful work and vital financial support. Because of our uniqueness, Trappist Caskets is frequently mentioned in the news for its craftsmanship and eco friendly approach.
While it has become fashionable these days for companies to talk about going "green" or being "eco-friendly", we at Trappists Caskets have always been guided by the spiritual mandate to practice responsible stewardship. Consequently, we work hard to be sustainable, even if it means less profit or slower production. Our caskets and urns are toxin-free, and are made from organic materials. Much of the wood we use is taken directly from own award-winning 1200 acre forest. We manage our forest to be a diverse eco-system. Our forest management plan calls for continuous timber stand improvement, which includes planting far more trees than we will ever harvest. In fact, a new tree is planted as a living memorial to every person who uses a Trappist casket or urn.
To learn more about New Melleray Abbey: www.newmelleray.org