Honeycomb coffins and caskets

Honeycomb coffins and caskets ...

the ultimate cardboard coffin for green funerals, eco funerals and environmentally-friendly cremations

  Introduction

In the years following the second world war and the resulting shortage of construction materials and timber-based products, the need to replace solid timber coffins and caskets with veneered coffins became a necessity. From the middle of the 1950s to the early 1960s, the increasing trend towards cremation rather than burials or interments saw the introduction of mass-produced veneered coffins based mainly on chipboard sheets. This fulfilled the need of bereaved relatives for a traditional dignified coffin but without the cost of a solid wood coffin.

  Honeycomb coffins and caskets

The concept behind the veneered coffins based on panels of recycled paper formed into a honeycomb structure is not new — internal doors have been constructed in this way for many years. What is new is the way each panel is constructed to provide strength and a solid fixing point for coffin handles.

This innovation is a registered Patent Applicant Number 0707539.3 "Improvements to coffins".

  Our Honeycomb range

• Medium Oak Veneer

A high quality oak-veneered coffin in medium stain and polished to a satin finish. This coffin is enhanced with a double mould around the lid and the bottom edge of the coffin together with a half-round beading on the lid.

• Ash Wood Veneer

This simple coffin has a veneer of 'Ash Wood' and a matt finish.

• Oak Veneered
  with Raised Lid

A traditional high quality oak veneered coffin with a medium stain and polish to a satin finish. This coffin has plain sides with double moulds and a distinctive raised lid.

• Oak Veneer
  with Panel Sides

This is the finest example of a traditional coffin. Hand-veneered in the traditional manner to give the appearance of a solid oak coffin with a satin finish. The lid benefits from a double mould and a raised panel in the centre.

• English Casket

The 'English Style' casket is hand-made and veneered in oak and is suitable for both burial and cremation. This casket is a natural colour and is polished to a smooth satin finish. With four recessed 'half-round' corner posts. There are panels on all four sides, with the veneers individually placed to give the appearance of a solid timber casket. The lid is in one piece with a centre raised panel.

The American Style dome top caskets are unique to the Honeycomb range. Each one is hand-made and veneered by craftsmen to an exact standard with outside measurements (including handles) of 80"L x 27"W x 18"D. Each casket is designed to be used in a traditional burial plot and with no metal fittings inside or outside they can be used in the majority of the UK's crematoria. The appearance of the casket can be varied using interchangeable handles providing a 'no additional cost' option for long or short bar-type handles. Larger caskets available on request.

• Veneered Oak American
  Style Casket

Creme crepe interior and domed split lid. Natural oak colour with a satin finish. This casket features short bar handles that are interchangeable with long bars (as shown below).

Suitable for both burial and cremation.

• Veneered Mahogany American
  Style Casket

Creme crepe interior and domed split lid. Natural mahogany colour with a satin finish. This casket features long bar handles that are interchangeable with short bars (as shown above).

Suitable for both burial and cremation.

  Environmental information

  Construction and craftsmenship

  Strength and weight testing

In May2007 a coffin was independently tested by Lloyds British Testing Ltd (test reports 152287.001, 152287.002 and 152287.003.



In summary: supported by only two trestles 1485mm apart, the coffin without the lid held 25 stones (159kg) for four days. The weight was then increased to 30 stones (191kg) for a further four days.

Following the endurance test, the coffin was loaded with weights to breaking point. At 130.86 stones (831kg) the coffin side fractured.

The three test reports in PDF form may be downloaded by clicking here.