At Musgrove Willows Coffins we make beautiful, handcrafted willow coffins using willow grown on our farm. Our willow coffins are often referred to as wicker coffins – which can be slightly confusing.
So: what is the difference between wicker and willow? Read on to find out.
What is wicker?
Wicker is made from all sorts of materials that can be woven; willow is simply the name of one of the crops that can be used to create wicker products – the crop that we grow here at Musgrove, on our family farm in rural Somerset.
Wicker describes the technique of plaiting natural materials to craft different objects. So, just as willow can vary enormously in quality, so can wicker. A coffin marketed as wicker may not actually be made with willow at all.
When searching for wicker coffins online, all sorts of different types will come up. Alongside willow coffins, you might find some woven with materials such as bamboo or wild pineapple.
Willow is pliant and versatile, making it perfect for creating highly unique wicker products. This is why our wicker coffins (made from willow) can be personalised to reflect the loved one they are crafted for.
Personalised wicker coffins
At Musgrove, we use natural processes such as boiling, steaming, and stripping to alter the colour and feel of our willow rods. Our weavers can then weave a willow coffin in a wide range of colours and finishes.
To create colourful, bespoke coffins, we also hand dye our willow using non-toxic dyes. If desired, a loved one’s favourite colours can be incorporated into a design.
All our coffins are initially lined with a biodegradable sheet made from corn starch. A natural, cream-coloured calico liner is then hand fitted to the inside of the coffin and the lid, which can also be hand dyed any colour.
Most of our coffins are now fitted with wooden toggles to provide a secure, aesthetically pleasing means of closing the lid. Opting for toggles rather than screws makes the coffin completely biodegradable.
Wicker coffins suitable for cremation
When it comes to wicker coffins, the material used and the way it’s been woven will have a huge impact on the structural integrity of the finished coffin. It’s important to remember that a crematorium is well within its rights to reject a poorly made, uncertified wicker coffin.
In 2017, Musgrove Willows received accreditation from the Funeral Furnishing Manufacturers’ Association (FFMA), now known as the Funeral Suppliers’ Association (FSA). This association aims to uphold the standards of various funeral products, such as wicker coffins.
All our handmade willow coffins have passed rigorous testing for weight, strength, and environmental impact. Our skilled weavers also weave beautiful willow handles into the coffin itself. These expertly woven handles ensure the coffin’s weight can be safely lifted.
The FSA also conduct regular, random inspection of their accredited members’ coffins to ensure standards of quality they look for are still being upheld.
A wicker coffin from Musgrove Willows
At Musgrove Willows, only willow grown on our Somerset farm is used to make our coffins. All of our weavers, many of whom have been working here for years, take real pride in their work. We create beautiful, bespoke wicker coffins unrivalled in quality and personal touch. Family and friends are also welcome to visit our workshop to help to weave a coffin for a loved one, a free service that can offer cathartic release during a difficult time.
