Call us: 0800 470 1130
We are here to help you
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Choosing a coffin or casket is a really personal part of saying goodbye, and a chance to reflect on what made your loved one special.
We know there’s a lot to consider, from the materials and shape as well as the colour, fixtures and linings. We’re here to help you find something that feels just right.
The main difference between a coffin and a casket is shape.
Simply put, a coffin is shaped like our bodies, wider at the shoulders and narrower at the feet. A casket is rectangular with straight sides, meaning that both ends of the casket are the same width.
Some woven coffins also come in other shapes, such as rounded-end caskets or teardrop shaped.
There are many different types and styles of coffins to choose from to suit all tastes and budgets.
Below is a list of the different types of coffins and caskets that are available:
The coffin included within our Attended and Unattended packages is a wood effect ‘foiled’ coffin – this is a wood effect print, glued onto board.
This coffin is only available in a few stock sizes, and may not be suitable in all circumstances.
A wood veneer is a thin layer of real wood that is glued onto a sturdy board material.
Wood veneer coffins offer a classic look at an affordable price. They offer a smooth, polished look, and come in a number of different finishes.
These coffins show the craftsmanship, sturdiness and natural beauty of solid timber. The lid, sides and ends are each crafted from a single piece of wood and pieced together using traditional joinery techniques.
All of our Solid Wood coffins are ‘butt jointed’ to show the end grain of the boards making up the sides of the coffin.
Solid wood coffins are also available in a range of popular colours, so you can choose a coffin to match the deceased’s favourite colour.
Popular colours include: white, cream, yellow, orange, red, pink, lilac, purple, blue, green, gold and silver. Other colours are available upon request.
These are environmentally friendly and beautifully hand-crafted coffins that offer a natural, softer farewell.
Wicker, willow and bamboo coffins are often used for green funerals as they decompose naturally and support green burial practices.
A picture coffin is a truly unique way to commemorate someone’s life.
The design could include cherished photos, an image of a favourite location, or could represent a hobby or an interest.
A simple, eco-conscious and cost-effective option, cardboard coffins are often used for green funerals as they decompose naturally and support green burial practices.
Families sometime choose to write messages or draw pictures on a cardboard coffin to create something truly unique.
If you wish to choose from this range please let us know and we will confirm the current cost for your chosen option.
Please note that metal caskets may not be accepted at all burial grounds, and these caskets are available to us in one size only, and may therefore not always be suitable,
We are proud of our partnership with established local coffin manufacturers Steve Soult Ltd, based just a few miles from our premises in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, who produce our veneered and solid timber coffins and caskets.
We have chosen this company – members of the prestigious Guild of Master Craftsmen – because their mission to provide “Uncompromising Quality” dovetails perfectly with our aim to provide the highest levels of care and attention for the families we serve.
Our close relationship and proximity to Steve Soult Ltd enables us to provide a highly responsive and individual service. Typically, the coffin or casket will be handcrafted for that individual to our exact specifications. When it is completed and delivered to us, the chosen interior and exterior details are added my our team here at our premises.
If Mum loved all things yellow, then a yellow coffin it is – perhaps with flowers or her name engraved on the side – might raise a smile on a difficult day. If Dad didn’t like a lot of fuss then a simple coffin with unobtrusive fittings may fit the bill.
Our aim is to provide a wide choice of designs to ensure that the coffin or casket chosen is right for each individual and our bespoke range gives families the widest range of options to personalise the design and finish of the coffin, or request something truly unique.
Our wood veneer and solid wood coffins are produced to the correct size for the deceased. As we are all different shapes and sizes, we believe that this is the best way to ensure that the coffin looks right for your loved one. whether you are visiting the chapel of rest of attending the funeral.
We are able to offer such a wide range of coffin finishes within our Bespoke Funeral Package – because each coffin is carefully produced for the individual it is intended for.
When we obtain coffins from other sources, such as woven, cardboard and American caskets, we have to choose from a limited range of sizes, so there may be times when a coffin has to be slightly longer than necessary, or we may have to suggest an alternative to get things right. If this was the case we would discuss the options with you and keep you informed.
It’s often the smallest details that make the biggest difference in a farewell. We offer various fittings and features, from personalised engravings and special heart tokens to luxurious linings and bespoke handles, allowing every inch of the coffin or casket to reflect the person who has died.
On wood veneer and solid wood coffins, engravings can be added to personalise the design. Engravings offer a subtle yet deeply personal way to customise a coffin.
Names, dates, meaningful phrases, imagery or symbols can be etched directly onto the wood, creating a lasting inscription that provides comfort.
The “forever heart” is a modern concept where a small, personalised wooden heart or token is placed inside the coffin with the deceased or kept by family members and friends as a lasting memento.
This token acts as a beautiful, final gesture of love and is a symbolic farewell that reinforces the lasting connection.
Coffins handles contribute to the overall aesthetic, ensuring every element aligns with the desired tone of the farewell. They are available in a range of styles and finishes, from the traditional to more sleek and modern looking.
For cremation, plastic handles are used to conform to cremation regulations, whereas for burial, metal handles are recommended due to their strength.
The coffin lining is a key detail, with options ranging from simple cotton and soft satin to luxurious velvet, allowing you to choose a material that feels restful and appropriate.
Before the funeral, many families find comfort in placing personal items in the coffin.
These mementos can range from handwritten letters and cherished photographs to small keepsakes that held special meaning. It’s a way to offer a final, tangible expression of love and remembrance.
However, certain items must be removed before cremation or natural burial. Metal objects, electronic devices, and items containing batteries are not permitted in cremations due to safety and environmental concerns.
Similarly, for natural burials, items that do not readily decompose, such as plastics or non-biodegradable materials, must be avoided. We can provide guidance on which items can stay in the coffin and which must be removed.
