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.

Cardboard

Manufactured in the UK from corrugated cardboard materials produced from unbleached pulp containing a minimum of 80% recycled paper and wood pulp sourced from sustainable forests, these coffins are 100% biodegradable and cremate with 90% lower carbon emissions than a standard chipboard coffin. The structure is multi-layered and incredibly strong; only natural, corn starch based glues are used in their construction. Please note that colours may vary slightly from images shown.

A Few Kind Words...

“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

“Thank you very much indeed for all your professionalism, support and guidance throughout the whole process involved in caring for my mother.

From the moment we met the staff at Holmwood Nursing Home until my collection of thank you notelets for my father to use I felt that everything was conducted in a most efficient and sensitive manner. I know that Clive spent a good deal of time with you and I was so pleased that we were able to have such a beautiful service very soon after the passing of our dear mother and wife. With thanks once again”

Jane Reg & Clive

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

Sheila Eves-Thorpe

“To all that it concerns, thank you seems hardly enough for making our Pops (William Hadaway) day very special with love and dignity from the beginning to the end you all made the day very special as well as his wishes you were there for all the family and made it a bit easier for us all to handle, couldn’t have wished for anything more. Many thanks again.”

Mark Hadaway & family

“As a family we cannot thank you enough for all your care and support of us on the passing of our mum – Peggy Hart on October 19th and her funeral on October 31st. As we know from the past, you do a wonderful job and all the staff are so caring and compassionate. Carol you are a rock (dare I say Star!) as you guided us through so much and helped keep us on track.

The day went off so smoothly and well. Mum looked good and would have so enjoyed her last ride in the jag! Also she would have been pleased at Alan leading the way, as Dad – Bill thought so highly of him and always spoke of him in glowing terms when he was alive and said he was a great guy to work with.

Thank you, thank you, what more can I say. I just wish you had offices in Canada so when my time comes, I know I would be in such excellent caring hands.”

Maggie & Mike Raftery

“Dear Jo,

Thanks so much for all you did leading up to the funeral. None of us could have got through it without your support.

Many thanks for everything you did for us, for all your help and for making a very sad day so easy. Your support has been amazing.

A huge thank you. Your dedication made saying farewell to Mum all the more bearable.”

Sue, Vicki, Clare & Richard

“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

“We just wanted to say a huge thank you for everything you did for us. You certainly made a very emotional and difficult time so much easier to bear. We are so grateful for the support you gave us and your gentle guidance along the way. Everything was perfect thanks to you and we would highly recommend you to all. With very best wishes.”

Family of Stanley Stearman

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

“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.”

Coffins