Wicker & Willow Coffins

About Wicker Coffins

Woven wicker coffins are an increasingly popular choice for those seeking a natural and eco-friendly option for funerals. Made from renewable materials, these coffins offer a biodegradable alternative to traditional caskets. Their handcrafted designs provide a simple yet beautiful tribute to a loved one, while minimizing environmental impact.

Wicker coffins are crafted using woven natural plant materials such as willow, rattan, seagrass, banana leaf or bamboo. They are lightweight yet durable, offering a soft, organic appearance. The weaving process creates a sturdy structure that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Wicker coffins are known for their gentle and rustic look, making them a fitting choice for those who appreciate natural beauty. The best wicker coffins are fully biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals or metal components, making them an excellent option for natural burials and green and eco-friendly funerals. Many crematoriums also accept wicker coffins as they burn cleanly without releasing toxins.

Willow Coffins

Willow coffins are made from fast-growing, renewable willow branches that are woven together by skilled artisans. Willow is highly sustainable, as it can be harvested regularly without damaging the plant. Its flexibility and strength make it an ideal material for crafting durable yet biodegradable coffins.

Family and friends can help weave the coffin too

Many willow coffin makers encourage loved ones to get involved in making the coffin. It can be lovely to be a part of the process, enabling family and friends to feel more connected to the coffin and the person who has died.

Woven Coffins

Woven Bamboo, Banana Leaf and Water Hyacinth Coffins

Woven coffins come in many different materials and shapes, like these bamboo, banana leaf and water hyacinth options.

Choosing a Wicker or Willow Coffin

When making a choice, consider factors such as sustainability certifications, craftsmanship, and the requirements of your chosen burial ground or crematorium. Price may also be a factor, and timing. Costs vary depending on whether they are custom made to order or pre-made. Lead times vary, so check with your supplier to ensure they can meet the required date.

Biodegradable and Environmentally Friendly

Many of the artisans making willow coffins ensure that their products are fully biodegradable and as eco-friendly as possible. Some source all of their willow from the local area. Coffins are lined with materials such as biodegradable plastic and unbleached cotton, and organic hemp rope is used for the handles.  The sturdy base slats are made from locally grown and milled timber and there are no resins or plastics involved in production, so the coffins don’t release harmful gases into the atmosphere during cremation, or leach into the ground on being buried.

To find out more about environmentally friendly options for coffins, please see our Inspiration page Biodegradable Coffins page.

Find Further Helpful Information About Choosing a Coffin or Shroud

To find out more about choosing a coffin, please go to our Information about Choosing a Coffin, Urn or Shroud.

Or for comprehensive information about planning a funeral or celebration of life, please see whiteballoon’s Funeral Planning Information.

Find Coffin and Shroud Suppliers in the whiteballoon Community

If you would like to find trusted suppliers of coffins and other funeral services, please go to our Provider Directory Coffins, Urns & Ashes.