Choosing a coffin

Although traditional wood coffins are still the most popular type of coffin, alternative materials are also available. Coffins made of bamboo, wool, wicker, cardboard, willow or recycled materials are becoming more widespread.

Decorating the coffin

Decorating the coffin is also becoming more popular with photographs of loved ones sometimes placed on or around the coffin.

The coffin may also be painted or decorated with flowers, images, flags or clothing. Tartans are popular in Scotland, but more unusual examples include paintings of a Lancaster Bomber, a Tardis and a yacht.

There are more people asking for wicker coffins now. It’s still not a lot, but certainly more than it used to be.

Mementos inside the coffin

People also increasingly wish to place mementos in the coffin such as:

• Pipes
• Bottles of whisky
• Photographs
• Wedding rings
• Watches
• Spectacles
• Mobile phones

However crematorium emission legislation may mean that we have to remove some of the items before the cremation and return them to the family.

Willow coffin decorated with flowers.

Picture coffin with aeroplane design.

Coloured cardboard coffin.

If you use access technology to view PDF documents, go to the access.adobe.com (opens in new window) site which provides information and tools. An online PDF conversion tool can be found at online conversion tools for Adobe PDF documents (opens in new window)