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 are usually between £820 and £850.*
* Each coffin is made to order, therefore the price can vary depending on materials chosen, shape and size of the coffin.
Please do get in touch as everything can always 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.
Also included in the price is a 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: Up to 14 days
*This depends on current workload and availability. In exceptional circumstances, this could be shorter depending on materials and time availability. Please get in touch if this is the case.
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.
Do I have to order a coffin through a funeral director?
No, you don’t.
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.
By choosing to buy direct from a maker, such as myself, you are directly supporting a small business. You are 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.
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.
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.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to help weave a part of the coffin 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 usually have the full legal name of the person that has died along with age or date of birth and death.
In addition, a special message or phrase can be added to the name plate.
We work with a local business who specialise in laser engraving and can arrange a wooden plaque made for your coffin with the above details and any other special touches you may wish to add.
Price from £20.
Can I buy a child or infant sized willow coffin?
Steph can weave any size coffin. Should one be needed for an infant or child, please get in touch and we can create this for you.
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.
