These are some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) we are asked and should cover most enquiries about Wegnalls Willow Coffins. If you have a question we haven’t answered, please get in touch via the contact page.
How do I order a Wegnalls Willow coffin?
To order a willow coffin:
- Call: Steph on 07543 012 134
- Or complete the contact form here.
Steph will happily answer any questions you may have and go through the options available to you.
How much does a willow coffin cost?
Our handmade, bespoke willow coffins start at around £850.
Each coffin is made to order and as such, the price can vary depending on the design (shape and willow varieties) and size of the coffin.
Please do get in touch as everything can be discussed and we can provide you with a tailored quote.
Why do they cost more than a willow coffin I can buy on the internet?
Unlike cheap imported wicker coffins of questionable quality, you can be assured that all Wegnalls Willow Coffins are handmade with care in Herefordshire using British materials.
Each coffin is handmade by Steph in Leominster and these can be personalised to the individual, which is not possible when you are buying an ‘off the peg’ coffin online or from a funeral director’s catalogue.
Also included in the price is a name plate, hand sewn calico lining (in both the basket and the lid), along with a calico mattress and pillow filled with hay cut from our own permanent pasture meadows, as standard.
What are your lead times and delivery options?
Lead times:
While we occasionally have a coffin in stock, most willow coffins are made to order.
Estimated lead times are as follows:
- Buff willow coffins: 7 – 10 days *
- Brown willow coffins: Approx. 14 days **
This depends on current workload and availability. In exceptional circumstances, this can be shorter depending on materials and time availability. Please get in touch if this is the case.
* Buff willow soaks very quickly, so depending on current workload these can be woven in as quick as 3 days.
** Brown willow takes 7 – 10 days to soak, which is why the lead-time for these is longer. I sometimes have a small amount ready to be used, but please contact us to discuss what can be possible in your time frame.
Delivery
We can deliver your coffin to you / your chosen funeral director within Herefordshire for a minimal fee.
If you are located elsewhere in the UK, delivery costs are dependent on distance.
Alternatively, collection can be made from our Leominster based workshop.
Are your willow coffins suitable for burial?
Yes. Wegnalls willow coffins are made from natural materials and are the perfect choice for both traditional burial and natural burial grounds.
We offer a woven base coffin to be used for natural or green burials, which are made without plastic, glues or metal.
Photographed at Humber Woodland of Remembrance, Herefordshire with flowers picked in their wildflower meadow.
Are they suitable for cremation?
Yes they are.
The rounded end Wegnalls Willow coffin with a flat ply base is accredited with the FFMA. This allows use of our coffin for cremation throughout the UK.
FFMA stands for ‘The Funeral Furnishing Manufacturers’ Association’. They work with suppliers to the funeral sector to ensure a high standard of products and services. Following extensive testing, our rounded end coffin has successfully passed, it has a recommended carrying capacity of 159 kg (25 stone) and load bearing handles.
You can read more in-depth about the different types of coffin that we make and available options here.
Do I have to order a coffin through a funeral director?
No you don’t. You can purchase your own coffin and you can contact us directly to discuss ordering one.
Whether you choose to buy a Wegnalls Willow Coffin through your funeral director or direct from us, the maker, you are supporting a small, local business. (Thank you!) You are also buying a coffin that you can be confident is woven sustainably, using local materials and is of a high quality.
You also have more choice in how the coffin is constructed, can see the willow growing on our farm and you can be involved with the process, should you wish.
Many of the cheaper willow coffins you find online are made in Eastern Europe or Asia. These are not woven with the same ethics, quality of materials or attention to detail as those woven in the UK.
If you are choosing one of our coffins, you should let your funeral director or undertaker know at an early stage. We will also contact them for the sizing and any further information, as needed.
Can I weave part of the coffin?
Yes, you definitely can and being able to offer that connection is very important to us.
We think it is really important that families are allowed to be part of the coffin weaving process, if they would like to. In fact many people find the weaving process to be a mindful and meditative one. It can also help to just ‘be’ in the same space as the coffin whilst it’s being woven, having a cup of tea and slice of cake, and that is also fine.
No previous weaving experience or specialist tools are necessary as we will guide you through the process.
If you’re not local, travelling isn’t possible or you are unsure about visiting, we can take photos and short videos to share with you as we make the coffin.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to help weave a part of the coffin, or would like photos, so that a convenient time and date can be arranged.
How can I personalise my coffin?
You may wish to add special items* into the weaving, such as strips of material, ribbon, natural materials or dried flowers.
Or rather than using calico for the coffin lining material, your loved one might have a favourite material or bedding that could be used instead.
These can be discussed beforehand to ensure they are suitable to use* and we will endeavour to find a place for these on the coffin.
*It must be a fully biodegradable and natural material for use in natural burial grounds, and there are some restrictions for cremation.
Photographed here is a coffin that was decorated with flowers for natural burial at the Humber Woodland of Remembrance.
Do I need a name plate?
Name plates are required for cremations and most burials. These will have the full legal name of the person that has died along with age and / or date of birth and death.
We work with a local business who specialise in laser engraving. We include a postcard-sized plaque made for your coffin with the above details.
For a small additional cost, a special message or phrase can usually be added to the name plate. Let us know if there are any other special touches you may wish to add.
Can I buy a child or infant sized willow coffin?
Yes, I can weave any size coffin and my deepest sympathies are with you at this difficult time.
Please get in touch so we can discuss your options and I can create this very special coffin for you, with the utmost care.
What is the Difference between a willow coffin and a wicker coffin?
A willow coffin and a wicker coffin are exactly the same thing.
The term ‘wicker’ refers to an item which is woven, whether it be made out of willow or another natural material such as bamboo or rattan. It is the process of twisting and weaving one material around another to create a product, as well as a descriptor to classify such products.
