Frequently asked questions.

  1. Can I make my own funeral arrangements?

    Yes. Please refer to a suggested check list of things to consider and arrange in advance. You can find the details here.

    Some people like to purchase an Away with Willow Coffin in advance of need. They have stored their purchase under a bed, in an attic or a side hallway and used it to store all sorts of items (sheets, towels, shoes, toys or keepsakes) until needed. This advanced purchase option will mean you will also be making savings against rising future inflation costs!

  2. Can an Away with Willow Coffin be personalised?

Yes! For example:

  • I can add a nick-name onto the optional extra wooden nameplate (click here for more details);

  • I can create, as an optional extra, a variety of willow hearts that can adorn your coffin or ash keepsake casket (click here for more details);

  • I can add dried herbs such as mint or lavender to the optional extra sheep fleece calico cotton pillow (please let me know any personal requests when filling in the ‘Placing an order’ here);

  • You can write a personal message on a strip of cotton ribbon and I can personally weave this into the coffin between the willow.

3. What sort of funerals are Away with Willow Coffins’ suitable for?

Away with Willow Coffins are appropriate for cremation, traditional burials, and some green woodland burial sites. Natural Burial sites have individual regulations - Away with Willow Coffins have wooden birch/ pine plywood bases that contain glue (this is bio degrading but please check these wooden bases are accepted in your chosen location). All the other parts of Away with Willow Coffins are 100% natural including sisal rope handles, unbleached 100% calico cotton lining, sheep fleece and calico cotton pillows and locally grown willow woven sides and lid (no air miles).

4. Do I need a name plate on a wicker/willow coffin?

Natural burial grounds, cemeteries and crematoriums have a legal requirement for a name plate to accompany any coffin. The name plate must contain the person who has passed away’s date of birth, date of death/ age at death and their legal name (you can add an additional nick name if you would like to).

If you would like me to provide a wooden name plate please let me know when filling in the ‘Placing an order’ here.

Cost of preparation and provision of wooden name plate £45

5. Do Away with Willow Coffins get delivered over seas?

Unfortunately no this is not possible, I can only deliver to the UK main land - Scotland, England and Wales.

6. What are Away with Willow Coffins lined with?

Away with Willow Coffins are lined with 100% unbleached, calico cotton lining.

7. How are wicker / willow coffins sealed?

Wicker coffins are typically not sealed. They are purposefully designed to be biodegradable and have a natural, open weave that allows for air flow and decomposition. They are lined with a natural cotton calico lining and the lid is secured down with natural sisal rope and hand carved hazel wood toggles.

8. Are wicker / willow coffins suitable for cremation?

Yes Away with Willow coffins are especially suited to cremation as they are designed to burn cleanly.

9. How do I order an Away with Willow Coffin?

To order please fill in the ‘Placing an order’ here.

10. Should I buy a coffin directly from Away with Willow Coffins or should I go through a Funeral Director?

Some Funeral Directors will say that you have to purchase coffins through them but this is not compulsory. If you buy direct from a local maker located in the UK (Away with Willow Coffins are based in Scotland) you are helping to support your local economy, and in addition you are ensuring preservation of our beautiful Scottish countryside (no air miles).

It is often more cost effective to buy your coffin directly from Away with Willow Coffins and in addition I can provide optional extras to add a unique and loving feel to your funeral service and the willow/wicker coffin itself.

11. How much do Away with Willow Coffins cost?

For a fully lined, adult sized willow/wicker coffin that has been personally hand-crafted, is unique and bespoke, as well as being an environmentally eco-friendly, locally produced item: prices start from £750 (excluding any optional extras and delivery).

All prices are available on this website (click here for all the details regarding general availability and here for current availability).

12. Are Away with Willow coffins cheaper than wooden coffins?

Yes. Willow coffins tend to be in the middle ground price range. Cardboard coffins are slightly cheaper and wooden coffins more expensive. Not all wicker / willow coffins are crafted in the UK some are imported and the environmental impact, safety, work ethics etc, during the growing and production processes, can not necessarily be ascertained. Purchasing from a local craft maker, such as Away with Willow Coffins, provides continuing support for our rural communities and helps to ensure these traditional countryside skills and knowledge are not lost and are handed down through the generations. In addition you will be helping retain rural employment opportunities, as well as money going back into the local community enabling a thriving circular economy. To order an Away with Willow coffin click here.

13. How will an Away with Willow Coffin be delivered?

An Away with Willow Coffin can be personally delivered locally or couriered further afield.

I can deliver an Away with Willow Coffin to you or your Funeral Director if located in or around: Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Scottish Borders or North Northumberland. (Delivery costs on average are between £15 to £120 depending on distance).

If you are further afield, I will arrange for next day delivery (but please allow for up to 48 hours delivery time). Courier details and their costs will be included, when I send your confirmation email and invoice.

Once you place an order I will be in touch to confirm everything and get the final details from you including:

  • Shipping address details

  • Funeral Director’s name and address (if applicable)

14. Do Away with Willow coffins smell?

Wicker coffins tend not to smell, however because Away with Willow coffins are made with locally grown willow that still has it’s bark on the coffin will have a woody scent. This is a natural earthy scent that is not overpowering and is associated with life and nature.

In addition as an optional extra I can include dried lavender or mint in the calico cotton pillows stuffed with sheep fleece.

Also the 100% unbleached cotton calico lining prevents the very small potential of any remaining odour leakage.

15. What are the benefits of a wicker / willow coffin?

Away with Willow Coffins are strong. Despite the lightweight appearance, wicker and willow coffins are sturdy and durable. They can comfortably support a body weight and are suitable for both burial and cremation. In addition the birch/ pine plywood boards used for the Away with Willow Coffin bases are tested for strength and the allocated weight each board can carry is outlined (refer to these details here).

16. How long, on average, is the wait between making funeral arrangements and it taking place?

Average wait times can be between one to three weeks, but delays of a month or more can happen for a variety of reasons. Religion and cultural traditions can influence how quickly funeral arrangements can be made. Legal and administration processes including registering the death can cause delays. Availability of funeral services can impact waiting times too, especially in urban areas. Planning ahead can help minimise delays. Please refer to some suggestions here.

17. How do I order an Away with Willow Coffin?

To order please fill in the ‘Placing an order’ here.