Coffins

You can choose a coffin that suits the style of the funeral and character of the person. A round-ended willow coffin makes a very different to statement to a picture coffin, traditional wood coffin or American style casket. Think about the person who has died: their values, whether they wore expensive and elegant, stylish or practical clothes, whether they are a flambouyant, colourful or quiet character, how traditional or individual they were, and you may get some idea about the sort of coffin that would be right for them. You can choose from many.

More information

Green Coffins
Green Coffins?

Not all the coffins in this brochure can be described as ‘green’, but we do endeavour to provide you with a wide range to give you plenty of choice.

Ratings

As a rough and ready guide, we have given three green ratings, high (the best), medium and low. This rating system is a subjective view based on the knowledge we have of the products.

Materials

Materials are important. For example, the willow, bamboo and recycled cardboard coffins are made from the most sustainable resources. Some of the solid wood coffins have Forest Stewardship Council certification.

Veneered chipboard coffins are rated low because of the uncertainty surrounding the inclusion of formaldehyde in the glues, even though chipboard is largely made from waste wood.

Transport

Transport is also a factor, so we endeavour to let you know where the coffins are manufactured. Generally, UK is best, but some of the coffins coming from China or Poland are packed inside each other and our main supplier claims the shipping energy use is the equivalent of less than 10 road miles. Where we are not sure about transport, we have given coffins from China and the Far East made from eco-friendly materials a medium rating to reflect this uncertainty.
Home or DIY funeral? Or just want to buy a coffin from us?
You can buy from us and we will send it to a UK address within 48 hours.

However, because all the prices shown here are at cost (for our funeral clients), please add £125 to the price shown.
Prices
Just buying a coffin without us organising the funeral?

Because all the prices shown here are at cost for our funeral clients (see below), please add £125 to the price shown.

Price variations/range

Where we show a range of price, the following may add to the cost:

Extra long or short or extra large Some have optional handles All coffins are at cost price

We sell all coffins to our funeral directing clients at cost price.

We feel this is the most transparent pricing system. We charge for our time and facilities through our professional charges and not by hiding any part of this in the cost of the coffin (or other items such as hearse, cars, cremation costs).

As we charge for coffins at cost price, if our supplier changes their prices or you require something extra, we will let you know the extra price before you finalise your choice.

Our full range of coffins

If you cannot find what you are looking for please let us know. This is a just selection and we can source most coffins. Prices will vary with size and specification. We sell all coffins to our funeral directing clients at cost price. As there are so many types, specifications and sizes the prices we give are estimates, and we are always happy to show the invoice we receive from the manufacturer.

Willow coffins - from Somerset

Green Rating: High £520 – £550 Handmade and finished in Somerset using willow grown locally on the Somerset levels. They can be personalised with a selection of coloured banding and handles. For an additional cost, matching crosses, symbols and designs can be woven into the coffin.

Willow coffins - from Somerset (Musgrove)

Green Rating: High £400 – £450 For almost a hundred years the Musgrove family have grown willow on the Somerset Levels. Willow is a renewable and sustainable crop annually harvested from a stump in withy beds. It absorbs carbon from the atmosphere as it grows. All the coffins are made without the use of dyes, bleaches or fossil fuels. You can choose the colour of the handles and of the banding for most of these coffins.

Willow coffins - from Europe

Green Rating: High green rating: high £375 – £425

Bamboo, Banana leaf, Cane and coloured Wicker coffins

green rating: high Bamboo – £275 – £325 Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on Earth, growing up to a metre a day. The fuel used for transport per coffin is equivalent to driving a car just 5 miles. Banana leaf – £400 – £450 The leaves are removed and spun into long yarns and then woven around a natural Rattan frame making them substantial, lightweight and golden coloured in appearance. They are fast growing, freely available and 100% natural and biodegradable. Cane – £375-£425 Cane is environmentally friendly as it is fast growing – as much as six meters a year. It grows in degraded forests and in marginal soil or where other land products cannot grow. It clings to existing tropical rain forest trees and so actively encourages the preservation of trees in the rain forest. Coloured Wicker – £500 – £600

Cardboard coffins - plain

green rating: high £170 – £250 Cleverly constructed, traditionally shaped cardboard coffins manufactured from corrugated cardboard. At least 70% post consumer waste sourced from local mills. +£30 for weight bearing handles, +£20 for cremation charger board

Cardboard coffins - single colour and picture

green rating: high £280 – £400 You can have any image! To reflect the life and interests of the deceased: choose an image (a small selection is shown here); or use your own photos or images; or ask the designers for suggestions on a theme.

Woollen covered cardboard coffins

green rating: high £510 – £640 Made with wool from Yorkshire. The woollen outer layer is hand fitted around a strong recycled cardboard frame, reinforced with an MDF base and lined with a soft woollen base.

Leaf cocoon

green rating: high £885 / Leaf pod £440 Hand-made from entirely natural, local materials. The Leafcocoon is a soft woollen shroud, enfolded in layers of felt, giving a smooth outline, supported on a strong wood frame and six carrying handles. The decorated leaf shape cover can be removed just before burial and kept as a memento. The Leafpod is a plain shroud without the extra decorated cover.

Wood coffins - veneer & effect

green rating: low £220 – £400 These are locally made: largely from waste wood, but the glues contain formaldehyde. The veneer coffins have thin covering of actual wood (veneer), while the foil coffins are covered in wood-effect paper. Price differences depend on size of the coffin and levels of panelling on sides and lid.

Wood coffins - solid wood

Brighton / Collingwood: pine & oak green rating: low £450 / £700 Highbury / Cathedral: solid oak green rating: medium £800 / £975 Lambourne / Lucia: solid poplar green rating: low prices on request

Wood Caskets

green rating: low prices on request

Children’s coffins

If you need a child or baby’s coffin, contact us and we will talk you through all the options.

Contact

Call us or send us a message for a chat or to arrange a meeting with no obligation