Our Coffins​

Why choose a wegnalls willow coffin?

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. By purchasing direct from us, you can be assured that each coffin is entirely handmade using local materials and to an exceptionally high standard.

From preparing the bases to sewing the lining, Wegnalls Willow Coffins are lovingly made from start to finish in our North Herefordshire workshop.

Unlike an imported, ‘off the peg’ coffin, there is also the option to help weave part of the coffin and add special items to it should you wish.

Continue reading for more information about our coffins.

As photographed above, all of Our Coffins have:

  • Been woven with sustainable UK grown willow (Homegrown brown willow or traditional ‘buff’ willow from Somerset) and can be customised with different colours of willow – subject to availability.
  • Solid pine lid centre.
  • Welsh Woollen rope handles
  • Handmade willow toggles and British wool braid fastenings.
  • Unbleached Calico linings
  • Mattress and pillow filled with hay from our permanent pasture.
  • 100% plastic free construction

There are 3 design options depending on the intended use:

  1. FFMA approved design – For cremation or burial
  2. Solid base with a plait – For traditional burial and some crematoriums.
  3. Woven willow base – For Natural burial grounds and traditional burial

The options are explained in more detail below.

1. The FFMA accredited coffin

This design, in any combination of willow colours, is certified for use at all crematoriums within the UK. It has been tested by the FFMA. (You can read more about this here).

The willow coffin is woven onto an integrated plywood base, has two rounded ends and three handles on each side.

FFMA design
Solid base with plait

2. Solid base with a plait around the base

The main difference between this and the cremation approved design is that there is no plait around the base of the FFMA design.

Additionally, it can be woven in different shapes:

  • Two rounded ends
  • One rounded end, tapering to a square at the foot
  • Traditional coffin shape (six-sided, tapered shape, wider at the shoulders and narrowing towards the head and foot)
  • Tapered with a fully woven lid and no wooden centre.

It can also have 2 or 3 handles on each side.

It is suitable for traditional burials but as it hasn’t been FFMA tested, it depends on individual crematoriums as to whether it will be accepted. (Please enquire before ordering)

Looking down on the lid and rounded front of a buff willow coffin
Ply base coffin with white willow side stakes being put down as a rod border.
Looking down on the lid and rounded front of a buff willow coffin
Ply base coffin with white willow side stakes being put down as a rod border.

Please note: Both of the above 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.

3. Woven Willow base coffins

This coffin design is made by weaving willow around timber slats, creating a strong coffin base.

All of the materials used are 100% natural and it is the most sustainable and eco-friendly option. This makes it perfect for natural, green burial sites and traditional burials alike.

Scalloming on the side stakes on a woman base coffin, in buff willow.
Looking along the base of a woven base coffin and the sides are still being woven, before the border has been put down.
Woven base coffin on a bier at Humber Woodland of Remembrance
Front view of a woven base coffin on a bier
Woven base coffin on trestles in the grass at Humber Woodland of Remembrance
Above: Woven base coffin at The Humber Woodland Natural Burial Ground. (with wild flowers added into the weaving by the family)

Willow Colour Options

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. (Continue reading for more information about the willow varieties).

Some of the common designs are pictured below.

Buff & Brown willow
Buff with white willow stripes
Side view showing the corner of a traditional shape willow coffin.
Buff with green willow stripes
Buff, Brown & white willow
Close up of Colourful willow coffin lid with wooden centre
‘Mottled’ effect using different willow colours

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

Three ashes caskets displayed on a log. Two ovals with a round urn on top.

Ashes caskets can be made to match with your chosen Wegnalls Willow coffin or can purchased separately.

Woven in any combination of buff, white or brown willows that are available.

The ashes urns are available as a round, oval or square basket shape.

They featured the same hand carved willow toggles and woollen braid loops as on our coffins.

All ashes caskets include a drawstring heavy cotton bag and are lined with calico (or you can provide your own lining material) like our coffins.

Furthermore, they are 100% biodegradable, made without any glues, plastic or metal. Perfect for both traditional and green burial sites.

Prices start at £85

Pictured are just some of the cremation ashes caskets that have been commissioned recently, but I am happy to discuss and design a personalised basket with you.

Two ashes caskets on a bench, one with the lid off showing the calico bag inside.

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

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