With a wide variety of models and styles to suit all tastes and budgets, a good place to start is thinking about the wishes of the deceased and the life they lead, as this may influence your decision. We have put together a simple guide to help you through the options or you can always get in touch and we can talk you through it.
burial or cremation
Firstly, know where the body will be placed as this can affect the choices available. If the deceased is being cremated, there may be certain materials that cannot be used due to emissions when burnt. We can help advise on this, or your local crematoria or cemetery will be able to give you more information.
For burials, there may be restrictions on the size of the coffin that can be used in some plots.
When it comes to an eco-friendly funeral, the burial plot may have restrictions on the kind of materials that can be used in order to make it eco-friendly.
coffin or casket
There are a few differences between a coffin and a casket:
- coffins have tapered sides and curved points at the shoulder, forming a ‘traditional coffin’ shape. They can be made from a wide range of materials and are generally cheaper than caskets. Individual handles are used and linings are usually silk or satin, in subtle or pastel colours.
- caskets have straight sides forming a rectangular shape and are mostly made from from metal or wood. They tend to be heavier than coffins as more material is used for the shape, and are generally more expensive than coffins. A casket is usually furnished with a bar handle running the length of the side, and are often more lavish, using padded or quilted linings. They can feature a lid that can be half-opened to view the deceased at the service or wake.
Here are our coffins and caskets if you’d like to take a look, and we can run through the options during your funeral consultation.
materials the coffin or casket is made from
Pine, oak, and mahogany wood are popular choices and you can choose from solid wood or veneer styles. Solid wood is more expensive and much heavier, while wood veneer designs tend to be a more affordable option. They can be made with other materials including metal and fibreglass.
Coffins and caskets for eco-friendly funerals are made from natural materials such as wicker, bamboo, seagrass, or banana leaf and come from sustainable sources. You can even find coffins made from wool, which are woven into a beautiful, lightweight yet surprisingly strong structure.
There’s a common misconception that some lightweight colourful and wicker coffins and caskets cannot support much weight. In fact, these coffins are designed to be extra strong and can be made in larger sizes too. Some bamboo coffins and cardboard models can support a weight of up to 25 stone.
shrouds
Shrouds are simple cloth wraps that are placed on the body and are mainly used for natural or woodland burials. These are specialist items that can be used in certain circumstances – we can help advise if this is something you’d like to consider.
we’re here for you…
We’re here to lend a helping hand if you would like to discuss anything with us. If you need help choosing a coffin or casket, or with arranging a funeral, get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk you through it.