Choosing a Coffin, Casket, Shroud or Urn

How to Choose

Rising awareness of environmental concerns and the increase in the number of ways that people choose to be laid to rest has encouraged providers to be more mindful and creative in the selection of coffins and urns they produce. There are a number of things to consider before you make your decision.

Decide on Your Budget

There are a wide range of options to suit varying budgets, so do look around.

You will need to know the approximate weight and height of the person who has died. If a standard sized coffin isn’t suitable, it may be necessary to have one custom built, which may be more expensive and can take time.

The term coffin is probably used more widely than casket, but there is a difference between the two. A casket is rectagular in shape and tends to be made of made of better quality materials, a coffin is tapered at the head and foot and wider at the shoulders.

Choice of Materials and Finishes

There are a number of different materials available for coffins, caskets and shrouds. What you choose may depend on how and where your loved one is to be buried or cremated (for example, some woodland burial sites have strict criteria).

For more information, please go to our Information section about Burial and Cremation.

Coffins

Coffins – biodegradable

The ecological impact of these materials varies and, particularly if it is ‘green’ burial, you will need to check whether there are any restrictions at the site. It is possible to have a cardboard coffin insert that sits inside a more traditional coffin (which can be rented) that is removed at the time of burial or cremation.

Coffins – Non-biodegradable

These tend to be used in traditional burials, or can provide an outside shell for a cardboard coffin insert.

Your funeral director can provide advice and may be able to source a coffin for you. If the funeral director supplies the coffin as part of a package, it will not be subject to VAT.

Please note that many of these options will be custom made, so it is worth making your choice as soon as possible to ensure it can be delivered on time.

There are many examples of beautiful and really unusual coffins in the Coffins, Urns & Ashes Inspiration section of whiteballoon, with direct links to the providers.

Alternatively, you can find local and national suppliers in Coffins, Urns & Ashes Providers, again where you can link to the companies’ websites to view their complete range, compare prices and place an order.

Shrouds

An alternative and less expensive option to a coffin is a shroud – a piece of material in which the body is wrapped. As long as the body is fully covered in public areas, this is an acceptable alternative. A traditional covering for some religions, shrouds are also being used more widely now.

There are many examples of beautiful and really unusual shrouds in the Coffins, Urns & Ashes Inspiration section of whiteballoon, with direct links to the providers.

Alternatively, you can find local and national suppliers in Coffins, Urns & Ashes Providers, again where you can link to the companies’ websites to view their complete range, compare prices and place an order.

Urns

Choosing an Urn

Consider whether the urn is a permanent resting place and where it will be kept, or if it is only temporary storage for the ashes until they are scattered. Urns are available in a wide range of materials, for example:

Sourcing an Urn

Your Funeral Director can provide advice and may be able to source an urn for you. However, there is a vast selection available and it may be worth doing some research before you visit them.

There are many examples of beautiful and unusual designs in the Coffins, Urns & Ashes Inspiration section of whiteballoon, with direct links to the providers.

Alternatively, you can find local and national suppliers in Coffins, Urns & Ashes Providers, again where you can link to the companies’ websites to view their complete range, compare prices and place an order.

When Do I Receive the Ashes?

The crematorium will need written instructions from the applicant (the executor or closest relative) about what to do with the cremated remains. Interment may take place at the crematorium, or the ashes can be collected at a later date. Most Funeral Directors are happy to collect the ashes from the crematorium, they will just need a signed document giving them permission to do so. 

The family can then choose what they would like to do with the ashes when they are ready (their loved one may have specified their wishes).

Choosing a Final Resting Place for the Ashes

If the deceased has not made their wishes known, the next of kin will need to decide where the final resting place for the ashes should be. Some people take comfort in keeping the urn with them at home, either permanently or at least for a while until they are ready.

For more information, please go to our information section about choosing a Final Resting Place for the Ashes.

How whiteballoon Can Help

As we mentioned earlier, there are many examples of beautiful and unusual designs of in the Inspiration section of whiteballoon.

Alternatively, please find local and national suppliers in the Providers section where you can link to the companies’ websites to view their complete range, compare prices or place an order.

Details of providers, plus items and images from our Inspiration pages can be saved to a personalised Ideas Folder in our Planning Tools section. All our Planning Tools are free to use. Just Register to securely save information to your folder.

This can be printed out and, if you wish, shared with family, friends, your celebrant or funeral director.