A direct cremation is a form of funeral that involves no service, no ceremony and typically has no mourners or attendees. It involves the deceased being moved directly from the mortuary, as soon as the death certificate is obtained, to the crematoria. In many cases, it will also mean no farewells or viewing of […]
Some of our newest, and most popular, products are made from English willow. This traditional material is known for being extremely sustainable, which makes it particularly appealing given the growing importance of climate change and other environmental issues. All of our English Willow Coffins are created by Coates English Willow, who are based in Somerset. […]
When planning a funeral you might come across some terms which aren’t that familiar. Here we explain the roles of a funeral director, who makes the funeral arrangements, and a funeral celebrant, who you might choose to conduct the funeral service for you. If you are arranging a funeral, there will be a number […]
As a society, we’re becoming more aware of our environmental footprint and impact as we live our day-to-day lives. But is it possible to continue this awareness into your funeral? The good news is that yes, there are steps you can take, and it’s not just your funeral where you can make a difference. […]
Whilst as a nation we’re getting better at sharing our wishes about funeral arrangements and our personal affairs, few of us will actually leave specific instructions around some of the more detailed aspects of the funeral, such as coffin choices. This means that if you’re the one having to make the arrangements, you may […]
If you’ve chosen to keep a loved one’s ashes in your home, it can be difficult to find something to place them in that’s just right. You may want an item which is in keeping with your own choice of interior design, or an option which is a little more inconspicuous to anyone but […]
There are a few words in our language that some people interchange without necessarily realising that they refer to subtly different things. One particular question we are frequently asked is about the difference between a casket and a coffin. What seems like a straightforward question actually has quite a complex answer, with roots stretching […]
There are a lot of myths around the use of coffins for cremation in the UK, leading some to question the need for a coffin at all, so it’s best to understand the facts before making any decisions. In the UK, the only legal requirement is that the body must be covered whilst in […]
Traditional funerals have tended to follow a similar pattern – usually a faith-based service followed by a burial or cremation. Today, there are many more options available, and the ability to choose an alternative service or memorial which is very different from days gone by. In fact it’s worth bearing in mind that there […]
We’ve recently introduced a new in-house initiative to ensure our staff team receive bereavement training. To kick off the project 10 members of staff took part in training sessions this spring to better understand how to support those dealing with loss. An in-house refresher session will run each year to ensure that our team […]
With an increasing number of us taking a more active role in planning our own funerals ahead of time, the question of purchasing your own coffin is one regularly posed to us. It may seem like a slightly odd question and probably not something you’d even given a prior thought to or considered […]
The concept of the traditional coffin is being constantly challenged as families continue to seek out options that better reflect the personality of their loved one. In addition, greater environmental awareness means the number of non-traditional coffins is increasing every year. So, if you’re looking for something different or very personal, what should you consider? […]
The simple answer to this question is yes, you absolutely can plan your own funeral. Furthermore, this is not a rare query, with more and more people wanting to have a greater say over when, how and where their funeral takes place. You can even make a plan for what you’d like to happen to […]
Choosing an urn that reflects your loved one’s personality and your relationship can be the key to creating a memorial that is unique and meaningful. Most people will want the urn, in some way, to reflect the personality of their loved one or to symbolise the relationship they had with them, but there are other […]
