Passages International Inc.

What Passages International Inc. does

Passages International, Inc. is a family-owned, privately held manufacturer founded in 1999 and headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with a team of approximately 20 employees plus a remote order processor. The company designs, produces, and distributes biodegradable funeral products including bamboo, willow, seagrass, and mushroom-based caskets and coffins; water- and earth-biodegradable urns (Oceane, Shell, Sea Turtle, Salt, Journey Earthurn, Chest Earthurn, Embrace Earthurn, Biotree, Celeste); scattering tubes; cremation containers; shrouds; carriers; and a pet memorial line. Most SKUs carry Green Burial Council certification with the highest 3-Leaf rating, and certain bamboo products are Fair Trade certified.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce (passagesinternational.com and a dedicated UK storefront) with B2B partnerships to funeral homes, cemeteries, and funeral professionals worldwide, supported by wholesale pricing, starter kits, merchandising displays, and a digital catalog. Revenue comes from unit-priced product sales across a $65–$3,995 range plus a $49 digital memorial code sold through its Etern.life partnership, which embeds GEO codes in biodegradable urns and scattering tubes to enable interactive online memorials. Distribution is enabled by industry association memberships (NFDA, ICCFA, CANA) and active participation in conventions across North America.

Name

Passages International Inc.

Legal name

Passages International, Inc.

Website

https://passagesinternational.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Passages International is a family-owned, Albuquerque-based manufacturer founded in 1999 that designs, produces, and sells biodegradable caskets, urns, scattering tubes, and cremation containers to families and funeral homes worldwide, with Green Burial Council and Fair Trade certifications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales to Families: Passages sells biodegradable funeral products (caskets, urns, scattering tubes, cremation containers) directly to families through their e-commerce website. Products range from budget-friendly scattering tubes ($65-$95) to premium caskets ($1,595-$3,995).
2. B2B Sales to Funeral Homes: Partnerships with funeral homes worldwide to provide sustainable product alternatives. Funeral professionals can access wholesale pricing, merchandising support, and marketing assistance. The company offers starter kits with popular products at reduced prices.
3. Pet Memorial Products: Specialized product line for pet owners including pet urns, caskets, and scattering tubes for beloved animal companions.
4. Digital Memorial Codes: Etern.life codes sold separately ($49) for families to create digital memorials for loved ones who passed long ago, even if a Passages urn wasn't used.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Passages International designs, manufactures, and sells a broad catalog of biodegradable, sustainable funeral products — including bamboo, willow, seagrass, mushroom-based and handmade-paper caskets/coffins; water- and earth-biodegradable urns; scattering tubes; Fair Trade cremation containers; shrouds and carriers; child caskets; pet memorial products; and plantable memorial paper goods. The company sells directly to families via its e-commerce website and to funeral professionals through wholesale partnerships worldwide, with most products certified by the Green Burial Council (3-Leaf rating) and several Fair Trade certified.

Product overview

Passages International is a family-owned company founded in 1999 offering the largest selection of sustainable, biodegradable funeral products. The product portfolio centers on three core categories: (1) Biodegradable Caskets & Coffins including Bamboo, Willow, Seagrass, Living Cocoon Mushroom, Herringbone, Natural Leaf, and Child caskets; (2) Comprehensive Urn Line encompassing water-biodegradable urns (Oceane™, Shell™, Sea Turtle, Salt), earth-biodegradable urns (Journey Earthurn®, Chest Earthurn®, Embrace Earthurn®, Biotree™, Celeste™), permanent urns (Tribute™ Bali, Tribute™ Bamboo, Keepsake, Repurposed Wood), and alkaline hydrolysis-compatible urns (Reflect Earthurn®); and (3) Scattering Solutions including Scattering Tubes in multiple sizes and designs. The company also offers Pet memorial products (urns, caskets, scattering tubes), Memorial products (Blooming plantable paper, Memorial Stationery, Etern.life digital memorial codes), and Cremation Containers (Simple Bamboo, Simple Jute). All products are designed to provide meaningful, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional funeral practices, with most products carrying Green Burial Council certification and Fair Trade certification where applicable.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Etern.life: Digital memorial platform powered by Passages that allows families to create online memorials by marking exact locations where cremated remains are laid to rest. Includes GEO code system for marking memorial spots on an interactive map.

Products and services

• Biodegradable Bamboo, Willow, and Seagrass Caskets & Coffins Handcrafted biodegradable caskets and coffins made from sustainable bamboo, willow, and seagrass, suitable for viewing, services, and witnessed cremation. Bamboo options are Fair Trade certified with no metal components and are appropriate for green and conventional burials.
• Living Cocoon Mushroom Casket Innovative mushroom-based biodegradable casket designed to return gently to the earth while providing a dignified farewell experience.
• Hampshire Herringbone Casket Premium bamboo casket with distinctive herringbone weave pattern, measures 6'5", suitable for viewing and services.
• Norfolk Natural Leaf Casket Premium casket featuring natural leaf materials with decorative botanical design, measures 6'5".
• Water Biodegradable Urns (Oceane, Shell, Sea Turtle) Water-soluble urns designed to dissolve quickly when placed in water, supporting water burial ceremonies. Includes the Oceane series (multiple colors), The Shell urn (Aqua, Coral, Pearl, Sand), and the Sea Turtle urn (Dune, Moss, Surf). Each ships with a free Etern.life GEO code.
• Earth Biodegradable Urns (Journey Earthurn, Chest Earthurn, Embrace Earthurn, Celeste, Biotree) Earth-biodegradable urns designed for ground burial, including Journey Earthurn (multiple sizes/colors), Chest Earthurn, Embrace Earthurn, Celeste, and the Biotree urn that allows families to plant a tree from cremated remains. Most include a free Etern.life GEO code.
• Himalayan Salt Urns (Amara, Athena) Water-biodegradable urns made from Himalayan rock salt, including the standard Amara Salt Urn and the extra-large Athena Salt Urn.
• Alkaline Hydrolysis Urn (Reflect Earthurn) Earth-biodegradable urn specifically designed for alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) process, available in Large and Extra Large sizes with Blue Silk, Green Silk, and White Silk finishes.
• Permanent Keepsake Urns (Tribute Bali, Tribute Bamboo, Keepsake, Repurposed Wood, Permanent Oceane) Non-biodegradable permanent and keepsake urns for storing or displaying cremated remains, including artisan-crafted Tribute Bali and Tribute Bamboo urns, Shell Keepsake urns, Traditional Repurposed Wood Urns, and the Permanent Oceane urn.
• Scattering Tubes Biodegradable paper tubes for scattering cremated remains, available in six sizes from Token (10 ci) to Extra Large (240 ci) and over 20 design patterns (Ascending Dove, Autumn Woods, Bluebell Forest, Butterfly Blossom, Coral Reef, Lotus, Mountain View, Ocean Sunset, Orchid, Starry Night, etc.). Each tube includes a free Etern.life GEO code.
• Fair Trade Cremation Containers (Simple Bamboo, Simple Jute) Hand-woven Fair Trade-certified bamboo and jute cremation containers designed for clean-burning cremation, fully biodegradable and free of plastic, metal, or cardboard. Bamboo models available in Full Lid or Split Lid configurations.
• Child Caskets Affordable, dignified handmade caskets from woven materials and sustainable paper for children, available in lengths from 8" to 32".
• Bamboo Shrouds and Willow Carriers Bamboo fabric shrouds for natural burial or cremation (available with or without handles) paired with willow carriers designed for easy storage and peace of mind when using a shroud.
• Pet Memorial Products (Pet Gourd Urns, Pet Scattering Tubes, Pet Caskets) Pet-specific biodegradable memorial products including handmade gourd urns, pet scattering tubes (e.g., Paws to Paradise, Precious Paws designs), and handmade woven Fair Trade and paper caskets for natural burial or cremation of pets.
• Etern.life Digital Memorial Code Digital memorial code that allows families to mark the exact location where cremated remains are placed on the Etern.life Memorial Map and create a personal online memorial with photographs and stories. Included free with Passages biodegradable urns and scattering tubes, and sold separately ($49) for those without a Passages product.
• Blooming Shapes, Blooming Cards, and Memorial Stationery Plantable die-cut handmade paper products (Blooming Shapes, Blooming Cards, Blooming Bookmarks) and a sustainable Fern Memorial Stationery Set, designed to be planted to grow flowers or herbs as a living tribute.
• Casket Accessories (3/4 Lids, Viewing Lids, Bamboo Headrests, Biodegradable Glitter) Complementary casket and ceremony accessories including 3/4 lids, viewing lids, bamboo headrests, and biodegradable glitter for memorial services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50%+ of families want greener funeral options
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Etern.lifecoreTechnology or IntegrationPassages International partnered with Etern.life to offer families innovative digital memorial services. Each biodegradable urn and scattering tube includes a unique GEO code that allows loved ones to digitally mark the final resting place on the Etern.life interactive memorial map and create personalized online memorials with photos and stories.
• Green Burial CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPassages has been a member since the Green Burial Council's inception. The company offers the greatest variety of products approved by the council, with most receiving the highest '3-Leaf' rating. Darren Crouch serves as President of the Green Burial Council.
• Fair Trade Certified ManufacturerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPassages products including Simple Bamboo Containers are certified Fair Trade. Rural manufacturers receive fair wages, no child labor is used, and workplaces are safe and fair to workers.
• Funeral Homes WorldwidecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPassages partners with funeral homes worldwide to help them cater to modern consumers seeking eco-friendly funeral options. Provides products, merchandising support, and marketing assistance to drive revenue and customer satisfaction.
• International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association supporting cemetery, cremation, and funeral professionals. Passages maintains membership and participates in industry events.
• National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading professional association for funeral directors. Passages supports and participates in NFDA events and initiatives.
• Cremation Association of North America (CANA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading cremation association. Passages attends CANA conventions including the 108th CANA Cremation Innovation Convention in Minneapolis.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Living Urn: The Living Urn sells tree-planting and biodegradable urns direct-to-consumer, directly overlapping Passages' Biotree urn and scattering tube product lines. Both brands emphasize eco-friendly memorialization and serve similar environmentally motivated customer segments.
• Titan Caskets: Titan Caskets is a direct-to-consumer online casket retailer that disrupts traditional funeral home markups. While they focus on conventional caskets rather than biodegradable ones, they compete for the same e-commerce, price-sensitive family customer that Passages serves.
• Recompose: Recompose is a direct peer in the green end-of-life space, offering human composting as a sustainable alternative to traditional burial and cremation. Both companies target environmentally conscious families and partner with progressive funeral homes.
• Bios Urn: Bios Urn offers biodegradable urns that grow into trees from cremated remains, the closest direct competitor to Passages' Biotree product. Both companies compete in the eco-conscious cremation memorialization category with plantable/biodegradable vessels.

Emerging players

• Resomation: Resomation is an emerging player in the green disposition space, providing alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) technology. They are listed alongside Passages as a key player in the global green funerals market, and their technology drives demand for compatible urns like Passages' Reflect Earthurn.
• Earth Funeral: Earth Funeral is an emerging player in the green burial space offering natural burial products and services. They overlap with Passages' eco-friendly casket and burial product positioning, targeting similar environmentally motivated families and progressive funeral homes.

Broad incumbents

• Service Corporation International: Service Corporation International is the largest funeral services company in North America, listed alongside Passages as a key player in the green funerals market. While SCI operates a broad portfolio of traditional funeral services, their scale and captive supply chain pose a structural threat to niche eco-friendly suppliers.
• Co-op Funeralcare: Co-op Funeralcare is one of the largest funeral services providers in the UK and is named alongside Passages as a key global green funerals player. They offer a broad traditional portfolio with growing eco-friendly options, representing both a potential channel partner and competitive threat.
• Aurora Casket Company (Matthews International): Aurora Casket, part of Matthews International, is one of the largest casket manufacturers in North America. While their portfolio is dominated by traditional metal and wood caskets, their scale and funeral home relationships define the competitive landscape Passages operates in.

Others

• Green Burial Council: The Green Burial Council is the industry standards body that certifies green burial products and providers. While not a competitor, Darren Crouch's presidency makes the GBC a strategic ecosystem actor whose certification framework defines Passages' competitive moat.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/passages-international-inc-

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Passages International Inc.