Lightweight casket lid having enhanced biodegradability

A casket arrangement, comprising:

• a container having a bottom, first and second side walls, and first and second end walls forming an open top box having a length and width configured to receive a deceased human body in supine position, wherein the first and second side walls, first and second end walls and bottom are formed of biodegradable material;
• a rigid strip operably coupled to the first side wall and disposed between an interior of the container and at least a portion of the first side wall, the rigid strip having a hardness that is greater than a hardness of the first side wall;
• and
• a strap handle having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first end portion affixed to a first section of the rigid strip, the second end portion affixed to the first section of the rigid strip, and the intermediate portion extending from the first end portion through at least one opening in the first side wall, and extending from the second end portion through the at least one opening in the first side wall, such that the intermediate portion forms a flexible loop external to the container, the flexible loop sized to receive a human hand for use as a handle;
• a second strap handle having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first end portion and second end portion of the second strap handle affixed to a second section of the rigid strip, and the intermediate portion of the second strap handle extending from the first end portion of the second strap handle through at least one further opening in the first side wall, and extending from the second end portion of the second strap handle through the at least one further opening in the first side wall, such that the intermediate portion of the second strap handle forms a second flexible loop external to the container spaced apart from the flexible loop, the second flexible loop sized for use as a handle;
• wherein the rigid strip includes an intermediate section extending from and integrally formed with the first section and the second section, and wherein at least the first section, the second section, and the intermediate section cooperate to provide strengthening reinforcement to the first side wall.