One of the most challenging decisions you have to make when planning a funeral for yourself or someone you love is choosing a coffin. Understanding the different types and how much they cost is a good place to start.
Many things can make a difference to coffin prices, such as material, size, workmanship, and other specific requirements.
In this article, we’re going to explore your options and compare casket coffin prices, so you’ve got all the information you need to make an informed decision.
What to consider when buying a coffin?
Caskets and coffins come in a wide variety of styles. This is because they need to meet the needs of different people. They can be simple veneered chipboard, solid carved timber, metal, bamboo, recycled material, wicker, and even cardboard. If you’re worried about the cost of a funeral, there’s nothing in the law that states you have to use a coffin, which is worth remembering.
It’s important not to feel pressured into picking an expensive coffin, especially if your budget is limited. Let’s look at some of the things to bear in mind when making your choice.
Material and cost
Whatever your budget, coffins can be expensive. A more elaborate coffin made using premium materials will cost much more than a simple and standard design. So it pays to weigh up the cost of the different options just to check whether it’s worth paying extra.
The material of a coffin makes a big difference to the price. However, you also need to consider whether it’s what you or your loved one would want. Is the fact that the coffin is eco-friendly more important than choosing a durable material, for example?
Size
The size of a coffin can also affect the price. An average-size coffin is 60cm wide and 200 to 210cm long. This size will fit most people, as long as they’re no taller than 2 metres. A standard coffin will also fit a body that weighs no more than 160 kilos.
An oversized coffin will be larger than standard. The cost will also be higher because more material is required to make it.
Other specific requirements
There might be rules and regulations about the type of coffin that you have to use. If a coffin is made using non-biodegradable materials, it may release toxic fumes when cremated. A coffin that’s not biodegradable is also not allowed on eco-friendly burial grounds.
If you’re planning a green funeral, it’s always best to ask the burial site for material recommendations or check that the coffin you’d like meets their requirements.
What is the cheapest coffin?
The cheapest option of all is not to use a coffin at all. There is, however, a legal requirement that a body should be covered in public. So if you don’t want to use a coffin, the cheapest option is to cover the body with a shroud.
Types of coffins and prices
All kinds of coffins and caskets are available, but the most popular include solid wooden coffins, bamboo coffins, and metal caskets. Let’s look at some of the most popular, compare the price of a coffin, and look at the advantages and disadvantages of using them.
Cardboard coffin price
Cardboard coffin prices in the UK make them a very affordable option, and one of their advantages is that you can easily customize them. For example, you can have one printed with someone’s favourite football team, their favourite brand of tea, their favourite flower, or any other design you think would be meaningful.
They are very popular and usually made from recycled, biodegradable cardboard. It’s important to note that there are weight limitations when choosing a cardboard coffin, so you must consider a person’s size.
Typically, you can expect the average coffin price to be between £250 and £700. There is such a big difference in price because cardboard coffins can differ in style and design. A plain, single-colour coffin will be cheaper than one with a glossy, printed design.
Wicker coffin prices
A wicker coffin is handwoven out of a single natural material. That material could be bamboo, banana leaf, or seagrass, but the most common is willow. Wicker coffins are a very sustainable choice. English willow coffins, for example, are made using fronds that will grow back from the tree. All wicker coffins are biodegradable and look more natural than cardboard.
The average cost of a coffin made using wicker ranges from £400 to £900. Higher-priced wicker coffins are usually made from unusual materials, use multiple colours, and feature external handles.
Bamboo coffin prices
A bamboo coffin is 100% natural and eco-friendly. Bamboo is a very hard-wearing material and can be relied on for its strength and quality. A coffin made using bamboo is ideal if you’re planning a green funeral or natural burial.
The structure of the coffin is made by hand-weaving the bamboo around a durable natural frame. You can easily customise this type of coffin, for example, by decorating it with leaves or flowers.
Bamboo coffins start at £300 but can cost as much as £900.
Pine coffin price
A pine coffin is an excellent choice if you’re planning a cremation. Untreated pine acts as a good fuel source during the cremation, which saves on gas. It’s a relatively cheap material to use and a very popular option. Pine coffins can also be made to look very attractive.
On average, pine coffin prices are around £500.
Comparing coffin prices
The materials above are the most common but are by no means the only options you have. In the table below is a broader selection of materials, and we’ve categorised them into cheap, mid-range, and expensive for your convenience.
Price range
Material
Coffin price
Cheaper options
Cardboard, shroud, flat-pack, eco-friendly pandanus coffins
£200 to £500
Mid-range options
Veneered wood, woollen, bamboo, willow, seagrass coffins
£350 to £900
Expensive options
Solid wood, metal caskets
Can cost up to £10,000
Should you have a coffin at all?
There’s no legal requirement that you have to use a coffin. However, if the ceremony includes cremation, most crematoria will expect a coffin to be used. That being said, some do allow shroud cremations.
The Pure Cremation standard for coffins
Here at Pure Cremation, we provide a simple solid pine coffin for each client. The material is carefully selected for its durability, elegance, and good eco-credentials. We choose to use solid pine because it allows safe and dignified loading of the cremation chamber and helps fuel the cremation process itself.
Video:
Which coffins are best for cremation | Pure Cremation
How to manage the overall cost of a funeral
There is a way you can manage funeral costs. The only legal requirement regarding a funeral is to choose to commit the body to either cremation in a licensed facility or to burial. Anything else about the funeral is up to you, which means you have ultimate control over how much a funeral will cost.
If you think carefully about what you need, it’ll help you manage the overall cost of a funeral.
One option is a pre-paid funeral plan. Find out more about Pure Cremation’s funeral plans by getting in touch with our dedicated team.