Our Dedication to Mastery

At Somerset Willow, quality craftsmanship and attention to detail are of the utmost importance. Founded by father and son, valuable basket-making skills have been passed down through four generations of the family business. In the beginning it was Edward’s 40 years of basket-weaving expertise and Aubrey’s background in carpentry that strengthened their shared commitment to exceptional quality, setting the foundation for everything we create.

Every Somerset Willow Coffin is crafted with this same dedication to this excellence that has been honed for over 65 years. The quality at every stage throughout its production is important to us.

Natural Materials

We take great care to ensure the raw materials our craftsmen use match our high expectations of standards, from each quality willow wand woven to the solid oak nameplates bevelled less than a mile from our workshops. We’re meticulous about what features in all our products.

Refined Design

Beyond the materials, our coffin designs have been continuously refined and perfected to bring families the very best in craftsmanship and innovation. Over the years, we have introduced thoughtful enhancements, such as a softer, non-traditional curved-end shape, coloured bands and handles for personalisation, and wooden toggle and loop closures to create a more aesthetic fastener. These are just a few ways we have evolved our designs, always prioritising quality for both structural integrity and visual elegance.

One of the most charming features of our coffins is our plaited edge which uses one of the more complex skills in a basket weaver’s toolkit. This intricate detail is woven using four strands, each made up of three willow wands, that are interlaced to create a beautiful plait. This meticulous weave creates a beautiful and striking finish to the lid design. Each lid must be crafted specifically for each individual coffin to ensure it fits the basket perfectly, as every coffin is handmade and will be slightly different.

Coffin sides themselves are woven using two different weave patterns to achieve our distinctive look: whaling and randing. Whaling adds structure and strength, ensuring the coffin is robust, while randing fills the majority of the basket, creating a smooth, cohesive design. During this stage, we can also incorporate hand-dyed coloured bands and handles into the weave, introducing colour to the aesthetic and allowing for a more personalised touch that reflects the preferences of the family.

From a structural perspective, we use double staking in our weave, a technique that reinforces the coffin’s strength and ensures it maintains its form. The stakes serve as the framework around which the willow is woven, providing essential support and are integral to the quality of the coffin. Additionally, our cremation-friendly solid plywood bases offer extra strength and ease of use, allowing our coffins to carry up to 30 stone.

Finishing Touches

At the end of the weaving process, each coffin is thoughtfully finished with carefully selected quality details. Solid beechwood toggle and loop closures provide a natural and secure fastener. Inside, a natural calico cotton liner and a cotton pillow filled with natural wadding create a gentle interior. A solid oak nameplate is engraved in-house with wording of your choice, and attached to the coffin lid using twisted jute cord. The final element added is our signature leather badge, which serves as a hallmark of the quality craftsmanship and care that define our work.

Quality Control

Quality control is an integral part of our process, ensuring that every coffin meets our rigorous standards before leaving our premises. Each craftsman’s work is thoroughly inspected by the master craftsman, and then once again at the packing and dispatch stage to ensure every detail is at its best. Furthermore, all our coffins conform to strict industry standards and proudly carry an FFMA approval stamp. This certification confirms that we have achieved the Coffin Certification Standard set by the Funeral Furnishing Manufacturers’ Association, reinforcing our commitment to excellence and ensuring that our products meet the highest industry requirements.

Our dedication to serving families with the very best craftsmanship is at the core of our values and has been since 1959. We are custodians responsible for upholding these long-held skills and make it a part of everything we do at Somerset Willow.