'˜Cosy and warm' - the wool coffins made in Leeds

COSY, warm and approachable - not exactly the words you would usually use to describe a coffin, but one Leeds mill is finding that its customers are finding comfort in their unusual coffins.
Adult coffin.A prestigious British mill has created the world's first woollen coffins to satisfy an unusual gap in the funeral market. See SWLEcoffins; AW Hainsworth, which clothes royalty at ceremonial events, invented the product because of dissatisfaction at traditional caskets. Conventional coffins are made from wood, which makes them cold, angular and unapproachable to grieving family members, according to AW Hainsworth. Woollen coffins on the other hand, each made from three fleeces and costing £900, encourage grievers to approach and connect with their lost loved one. As a 100% biodegradable object their introduction also satiates a growing demand for environmentally friendly coffins. Mourners can either bury the caskets, for them to rot in the ground, or cremate them and keep the ashes.The idea of woollen coffins goes back to the 17th century, when the deceased had to be buried in wool in an attempt to boost the industry. AW Hainsworth, aware of criticisms levelled at traditional coffins, decided to rAdult coffin.A prestigious British mill has created the world's first woollen coffins to satisfy an unusual gap in the funeral market. See SWLEcoffins; AW Hainsworth, which clothes royalty at ceremonial events, invented the product because of dissatisfaction at traditional caskets. Conventional coffins are made from wood, which makes them cold, angular and unapproachable to grieving family members, according to AW Hainsworth. Woollen coffins on the other hand, each made from three fleeces and costing £900, encourage grievers to approach and connect with their lost loved one. As a 100% biodegradable object their introduction also satiates a growing demand for environmentally friendly coffins. Mourners can either bury the caskets, for them to rot in the ground, or cremate them and keep the ashes.The idea of woollen coffins goes back to the 17th century, when the deceased had to be buried in wool in an attempt to boost the industry. AW Hainsworth, aware of criticisms levelled at traditional coffins, decided to r
Adult coffin.A prestigious British mill has created the world's first woollen coffins to satisfy an unusual gap in the funeral market. See SWLEcoffins; AW Hainsworth, which clothes royalty at ceremonial events, invented the product because of dissatisfaction at traditional caskets. Conventional coffins are made from wood, which makes them cold, angular and unapproachable to grieving family members, according to AW Hainsworth. Woollen coffins on the other hand, each made from three fleeces and costing £900, encourage grievers to approach and connect with their lost loved one. As a 100% biodegradable object their introduction also satiates a growing demand for environmentally friendly coffins. Mourners can either bury the caskets, for them to rot in the ground, or cremate them and keep the ashes.The idea of woollen coffins goes back to the 17th century, when the deceased had to be buried in wool in an attempt to boost the industry. AW Hainsworth, aware of criticisms levelled at traditional coffins, decided to r

AW Hainsworth in Pudsey has been operating for more than 230 years, and the high profile clients for the opulent outfits it creates include pieces worn by royals William and Harry at their weddings.

But it is not known if the Duke’s are keen on ordering their other popular line - woollen coffins.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The company first devised the product because of dissatisfaction at traditional caskets.

Adult coffin.A prestigious British mill has created the world's first woollen coffins to satisfy an unusual gap in the funeral market. See SWLEcoffins; AW Hainsworth, which clothes royalty at ceremonial events, invented the product because of dissatisfaction at traditional caskets. Conventional coffins are made from wood, which makes them cold, angular and unapproachable to grieving family members, according to AW Hainsworth. Woollen coffins on the other hand, each made from three fleeces and costing £900, encourage grievers to approach and connect with their lost loved one. As a 100% biodegradable object their introduction also satiates a growing demand for environmentally friendly coffins. Mourners can either bury the caskets, for them to rot in the ground, or cremate them and keep the ashes.The idea of woollen coffins goes back to the 17th century, when the deceased had to be buried in wool in an attempt to boost the industry. AW Hainsworth, aware of criticisms levelled at traditional coffins, decided to rAdult coffin.A prestigious British mill has created the world's first woollen coffins to satisfy an unusual gap in the funeral market. See SWLEcoffins; AW Hainsworth, which clothes royalty at ceremonial events, invented the product because of dissatisfaction at traditional caskets. Conventional coffins are made from wood, which makes them cold, angular and unapproachable to grieving family members, according to AW Hainsworth. Woollen coffins on the other hand, each made from three fleeces and costing £900, encourage grievers to approach and connect with their lost loved one. As a 100% biodegradable object their introduction also satiates a growing demand for environmentally friendly coffins. Mourners can either bury the caskets, for them to rot in the ground, or cremate them and keep the ashes.The idea of woollen coffins goes back to the 17th century, when the deceased had to be buried in wool in an attempt to boost the industry. AW Hainsworth, aware of criticisms levelled at traditional coffins, decided to r
Adult coffin.A prestigious British mill has created the world's first woollen coffins to satisfy an unusual gap in the funeral market. See SWLEcoffins; AW Hainsworth, which clothes royalty at ceremonial events, invented the product because of dissatisfaction at traditional caskets. Conventional coffins are made from wood, which makes them cold, angular and unapproachable to grieving family members, according to AW Hainsworth. Woollen coffins on the other hand, each made from three fleeces and costing £900, encourage grievers to approach and connect with their lost loved one. As a 100% biodegradable object their introduction also satiates a growing demand for environmentally friendly coffins. Mourners can either bury the caskets, for them to rot in the ground, or cremate them and keep the ashes.The idea of woollen coffins goes back to the 17th century, when the deceased had to be buried in wool in an attempt to boost the industry. AW Hainsworth, aware of criticisms levelled at traditional coffins, decided to r

Conventional coffins are made from wood, which makes them cold, angular and unapproachable to grieving family members, according to AW Hainsworth.

Woollen coffins on the other hand, each made from three fleeces and costing £900, encourage grievers to approach and connect with their lost loved one.

As a 100 per cent biodegradable object their introduction also satiates a growing demand for environmentally friendly coffins.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mourners can either bury the caskets, for them to rot in the ground, or cremate them and keep the ashes.

The coffins are made from wool and comprise an MDF base board, a cardboard frame and a cotton lining.

Hainsworth is considered the best producer of pool and snooker cloth in the world, and also clothe the military and are responsible for clothing the RAF’s in their famous blue colours.

Julie Greenough, of AW Hainsworth, said: “The woollen coffin is a unique alternative to the conventional ones people are used to. Traditional coffins have sharp angles and cold, hard edges whereas this one is very warm and approachable.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are finding that family and loved ones find them to be very comforting, they’re not as scary looking. These are the first and only woollen coffins to be introduced to the market,” Mrs Greenough.

She added: “They’re also completely biodegradable, which is very important in this day and age.”