Choosing a Coffin

When a loved one has passed away, choosing their coffin can prove to be one of the most challenging aspects of arranging a funeral. This is because there is a lot to take into account. The coffin might differ depending on the final resting place. Will there be a burial or cremation, or will they rest in a mausoleum? All of these could dictate the coffin type.

Types of Coffins and Caskets

At Alan Greenwood, we are committed to supplying high-quality coffins, while acknowledging the effect that they have on the environment. We only use suppliers that source raw materials from Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) sources, and track the material through their manufacturing process. All coffins and caskets provided by us also come from suppliers accredited with the Carbon Trust Standard, therefore limiting the damage to the environment to the minimum.

There is also a selection of American-style caskets available in various designs. Please talk to our team for more information.

Eco Friendly Coffins

At Alan Greenwood & Sons, we can also provide a selection of sustainable and fully biodegradable coffins. Find out more about the range of eco friendly coffins we can supply.

Extended Range of Coffins

A further range of coffins and caskets can be seen here on this download. Should you require anything else, please contact our funeral home for more information.

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Cremation or Burial

The Frimley

Made using simulated gloss Elm veneer and trimmed with a white lining. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

The Weybridge

Made using high-quality gloss Oak veneer and trimmed with a white lining. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

The Claygate

Made using high quality Sapele veneer with pressed panels, a raised lid and trimmed with a white lining. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

The Bookham

Made using solid Obeche from managed forests, stained to a Golden Oak finish with routed panels, a raised lid and trimmed with a white lining. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

Crindon

A hand-built traditional English casket using high-quality Oak veneer. Shown fitted with Oscar bar handles, T-ends and wreath holders. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

Brocklebank Oak

A hand-built traditional English casket in solid Oak, with raised lid and feature grooves. Shown fitted with No.3 casket bar handles, T-ends and wreath holders. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

Michelangelo Poplar

A solid Poplar American casket with a high-gloss finish, Last Supper scene and a tan crêpe interior. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

Willow Highstead

The Highstead is a traditionally shaped coffin handcrafted from willow using traditional methods. The willow is woven onto a self-supporting frame giving them exceptional strength while remaining incredibly light. Willow is a deciduous tree found primarily on moist soil in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Willow is a renewable, annually harvested crop and a highly sustainable material for coffins. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

Pandanus eco2

Pandanus coffins are made from the leaves of a prolific Indonesian wild plant, cultivated as a highly renewable and sustainable material. Only young leaves are cut from the plant so that it naturally regenerates. This plant uses less water to grow and does not require pesticides, and also helps to reduce deforestation. These coffins are manufactured in Indonesia in only World Fair Trade Organisation accredited workshops. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

Banana Leaf eco2

Banana leaf coffins are made from banana cord woven around a natural cane framework. Banana cord is made using the dried woven leaves of the banana, an annual plant, after the tree has produced its fruit and died back each year. Rattan is also woven into the coffin’s design to create a striking contrast with the banana cord’s burnt golden appearance. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

English Willow Round

English Willow coffins are handcrafted by skilled workers with long family histories in willow weaving, using traditional methods. Willow has been grown on the Somerset Levels for centuries and has the unique ability to regenerate for 30 to 40 years. Once harvested it can grow back to the same height in a year. English Willow traditional coffins are available in Light, Brown and Green, achieved by drying, boiling or stripping the bark. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

English Willow traditional

White Willow

A quality coffin made from willow – a fully sustainable material – painted using only an environmentally-friendly, advanced water-based paint which provides a smooth, satin finish coat. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

English Willow – Colours

Our English Willow coffins are handcrafted by skilled workers with long family histories in willow weaving, using traditional methods. English Willow has been grown on the Somerset Levels for centuries and has the unique ability to regenerate annually from the same crown for 30 to 40 years. Our English Willow coffins are available in either traditional or round ended styles in a range of colours created with natural dyes. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

Water Hyacinth

The Water Hyacinth coffins are biodegradable and come with a tasteful natural unbleached calico lining, and a choice of personalised nameplates. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

A Few Kind Words...

“Just a wee note to say a huge thank you for your amazing support, care and friendship when helping us to arrange my dad’s funeral. Although it was such a difficult time for us as a family, you ensured that we were so well looked after & that everything went perfectly. Our tears often turned to laughter in your company & that’s because you helped us remember the good times.

Thank you for everything from the bottom of our hearts. We would also like to thank the whole team involved in helping before, during and after my dad’s funeral. You truly are amazing, showing such dignity, compassion, care and professionalism. Thank you.”

Karen, Anna & family

“I just wanted to drop you a line to say a massive thank you for everything you have done over the last two weeks. When I walked into Alan Greenwood’s on the 5th November I didn’t know where or how I was going to organise my lovely Mum’s funeral and the thought of it horrified me, you made a daunting job so much easier and were there to guide me all the way until the day of the funeral.”

I can’t thank you enough for your kind words, thoughts and help during this very difficult time. Losing someone as precious as mum is very hard but you helped so much. Thank you for everything you have done for mum, myself and my family.”

Sue, Mundy, Luke and Faye

“Thank you for all your kind attention during the funeral of my husband John on the 24th May. The arrangements were so efficiently and sympathetically handled that it lifted a huge burden from my shoulders. I enclose a cheque in favour of the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of my beloved John.”

Catherine Waterman

“Dear David and Hannah,
Just a quick note to say thank you so much for all your help and support over the last month or so.
The funeral was just as it should have been.
Your staff were lovely and the day went without a hitch.”

Michele & Caroline

“We would like to thank you for a friendly and professional service and especially Adam who made a good job of the service, and a big thanks to Jane who was a great help and showed much kindness. We would recommend your company.”

Chris & Mike Whalen

“Dear Fran

I just wanted to drop you an email to thank you for all your care and support in the arrangements for my dad, John.

I know that my Mum, Valerie, was most grateful for your support and care, particularly last Friday which was a difficult day for her. Mum said to me that you went over and above in her eyes, making sure she was ok before you would let her leave.

Dad would have highly approved of the day yesterday, and that’s all we could have asked for. It really was the celebration of his life that he would have wanted.

Again, my sincerest thanks and gratitude to you all.”

Helena

Dear Chloe,

We just wanted to all thank you and the rest of Alan Greenwood team for providing excellent service for organising and conducting our mother’s funeral – The day went perfectly.

Mike

“Thank you for the care and support you gave to us all at the funeral of Annette Streetley, we did appreciate you kindness as we first stepped through the door at your Claygate branch and the days following. I know Tony, Rachel & Andrew were extremely grateful”

David & Betty Wakeford

“I cannot believe that a month has passed since we first met, the day after Brian died. Within a short time of our encounter, I know that an occasion I had always dreaded would be transformed into a positive, memorable occasion – and so it was!

Your warm and practical attitude, as well as highly professional advice, immediately instils confidence. Every detail of the proceedings is meticulously explained and I felt completely relaxed. Thank you Jess for making everything work so well. You are a remarkable lady with a definite vocation and I wish you all the very best for the future. I felt I found a real, new friend, just when I needed it most.”

Irene

Dear Mr Alan Greenwood, I cannot thank you and your team in Bookham enough, for the excellent service they provided in every respect in the Cremation of my wife.

Your resident Funeral Consultant Mary fully explained all we needed to understand and advised the options available to us.

Her in depth knowledge of all the service providers including, Order of Service, authors and print selection, Celebrant, Hall and refreshments.

So many things which without her I would have been lost.

In the past few days I have received so very many complements and praise for the service you gave.

Do please allow other potential clients to share our experience.

Yours sincerely

Terry Eves-Thorpe

Coffins