A visit to Somerset Willow Coffins

Glenn from Tester & Jones Funeral Services has been dealing with the team at Somerset Willow Coffins for many years and they had invited him to pop in and discover more about the business whenever he was in the area. Recently, Glenn found himself down in West Country as part of his working day, so dropped by.

“It was really good to put a face to people I’ve talked to on the phone so many times,” says Glenn. “They gave me a history of the business and how their coffins are crafted, while I also had a tour of the factory and dispatch facility. It was really interesting; thanks to them all for being so welcoming.”

A family business, Somerset Willow can trace its history back to 1959, when basket maker, Edward Hill, was asked to supply 900 pigeon baskets. Since then, the company has grown to be one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of quality willow products – including picnic hampers, bespoke willow baskets, log baskets and willow furniture.

In 1998, Somerset Willow began to create willow coffins. Each willow coffin is made entirely by hand, using traditional techniques which have remained unchanged for generations. Willow is the perfect material, environmentally considerate to the earth, yet beautiful when woven.

Willow is grown in rows of bushes on the Somerset levels and Somerset Willow begins harvesting its willow in late autumn. Once cut the willow will regenerate back to the same height within a single year. Willow enjoys rapid growth and is highly renewable - the number one reason it’s used as a crop for biomass energy. Once planted, a willow crown will last up to 60 years before needing to be renewed and, in that time, only the most basic of maintenance is required.

Talk to our team at Tester & Jones to find out more about these beautiful, environmentally friendly, coffins.