We know that saying goodbye to a loved one and choosing a coffin can be difficult, which is why Steph will take the utmost care and attention to detail when weaving your willow coffin.

Why choose our coffins?

By purchasing direct from us, you can be assured that each coffin is made by hand and to order. From preparing the bases to sewing the lining, Wegnalls Willow Coffins are lovingly made from start to finish in our North Herefordshire workshop.

All of our coffins are woven with British grown willow, Welsh woollen rope handles and are 100% plastic free. Additionally, every coffin comes with a calico lining (in both the basket and the lid), along with a calico mattress and pillow filled with hay, as standard. 

There is also the option to help weave part of the coffin and add special items to it should you wish.

Learn more on our FAQs page ( including details on pricing and how to order) or contact us directly for more information.

We offer two different base options for our willow coffins, depending on their intended use:

1. Solid ply base – FFMA approved for cremation and for traditional burial.
2. Woven willow – For burial only.

The two options are explained in more detail below and continue reading for design options.

1. Solid Ply base coffins

The willow coffin is woven onto an integrated plywood base and there are two design options available:

1. The FFMA accredited coffin. This has two rounded ends and is certified for use at all crematoriums in the UK.
2. The ply base with a plait. This can have one or two rounded ends, be tapered, or made in a traditional coffin shape, but only for burial*.

Both designs also have:

• Solid pine lid centre.
• Woollen rope handles
• Handmade willow toggles and British wool braid fastenings.
• Unbleached Calico linings
• Mattress and pillow filled with hay from our permanent pasture.
• Waterproof lining available on request
• Customisable with different colours of willow (subject to availability).

* Please note: Both designs are not suitable for green, natural burial grounds due to the glue used in plywood. However I am currently working towards creating a coffin with an alternative, environmentally friendly solid wood base for burials.

2. Woven Willow base coffins

This coffin is made by weaving willow around timber slats, creating a strong coffin base. All of the materials used are 100% natural and there are no glues or plastic used in the construction of this coffin.

It is the most sustainable and eco-friendly option, making it perfect for both natural / green burial sites and traditional burials alike.

Additional features include:

• Solid pine lid centre.
• Welsh Wool Rope handles
• Handmade willow toggles and British wool braid fastenings.
• Unbleached Calico linings
• Mattress and pillow filled with hay.
• Personalisation options, including being woven in different colours of willow (subject to availability) and customised linings.

Designs and Willow Colours

We use a mixture of the traditional ‘buff’ willow which is purchased from a family-owned willow growers in Somerset and my own, homegrown brown willow to weave our coffins.

Some of the common designs are pictured below.

You are welcome to choose one of these designs or if you have a particular idea in mind, we are happy to weave a customised coffin using different combinations of willow. Please contact us to discuss this further.

the different types of willow available are:

• Buff willow. This is made using the finest Somerset willow that has been boiled, stripped of its bark and dried. This creates a toffee colour rod which is smooth to the touch. Buff willow is what traditional ‘wicker’ products would have been made with, and as shown in the buff ply base coffin above.
• White willow is made by stripping the bark, leaving the creamy white willow core. It is only made in Spring with freshly cut rods so usually only used for stripes of white, as shown in the buff coffin above.
• Brown willow is used to describe the willow rods that have been dried after harvesting. They still have their bark attached, rather than the stripped willow above. These are generally darker, more natural looking and textured than the stripped willow.
• There are 20+ different varieties of willow that I have grown, harvested and dried. Colours range from brown to green, yellow, red and purple *.

* Being a natural product, colours and varieties are dependant on seasonal availability. Please do get in touch for further details.

There are more photos on the gallery page.

Ashes Caskets

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information on our coffins, including ordering, pricing and delivery details.