The earliest evidence for the use of wooden coffins dates to 5000 BC and was found in the Tomb 4 at Beishouling, Shaanxi. There have been many designs and styles of coffin over the centuries but by far the most common styles in the UK are the tapered six sided box (also considered to be anthropoidal in shape) which is referred to as a “coffin”, and the square sided, rectangular box referred to as a “casket”. The now universal “coffin” design, built to be wider at the shoulders and narrower at the feet, was designed originally to save money on wood.

With the growing resurgence of cremation in the western world many coffins are now made of thinner and lighter materials such as particle board or low density fibre board in order to minimise the carbon footprint and use of natural resources. It has also become standard practice to use these lighter coffins for burials unless a solid wood coffin or casket is specifically desired. Another growing move is to personalise the coffin to the deceased’s lifestyle and personality, for example painting a coffin in a favourite team’s colours or draping the coffin in a themed flag.

There is emerging interest in eco-friendly coffins made of purely natural materials such as bamboo, willow or banana leaf and it is becoming increasingly popular to use cardboard coffins. We offer a large range of natural and cardboard coffins which you can see on our Green Funerals page.

Please note that our standard price includes a beautiful wood veneer coffin, The Tutbury, at no extra cost.

Wood Effect Coffins

Our Wood Effect Coffins offer the aesthetics of a high-quality wood finish but without the price. They also require less raw material to produce and release far less CO2 than solid wood coffins, so they are better for the environment.

The Tutbury
£250
The Carsington
£295
The Wrexham
£295
Wood Veneer Coffins

Very similar to our Wood Effect Coffins these offer a high quality gloss veneer finish that is practically indistinguishable from polished wood. We offer a large range of Veneer Coffins so please click below to see our full range and find a coffin that you feel is perfectly suited for the occasion.

The York
£300
The Kedlestone
£320
The Ashbourne
£380
The Repton
£330
Solid Wood Coffins

These are high quality, hard wood coffins offering robust construction with premium aesthetics. If a solid wood coffin is important to you then these offer an excellent choice at a reasonable price. However, if solid wood is not a factor then please consider the environmental impact and choose a Wood Effect or Veneer Coffin. This will also reduce the cost of the funeral considerably.

The Sherwood
£490
The Derby
£570
The Ascot
£590
The Chesterfield
£630
Caskets

The word casket was originally coined to describe an ornamental box used to hold jewellery or other precious items. Based on a much older design tradition a polished casket offers a very formal and stately feel as it is carried into the church or chapel. The Casket design does offer a more distinct aesthetic because it is selected for only a small percentage of funerals these days.

The Atherton
£340 (Wood Veneer Casket)
The Ashbourne Casket
£380 (Wood Veneer Casket)
The Windsor
£720 (Solid Wood Casket)
The Westminster
£790 (Solid Wood Casket)
Baby and Infant

Our collection of baby and infant coffins and caskets are available in a range of different sizes and colours. While there is nothing we can do to alleviate the pain of losing a young life, each coffin is carefully lined for a soft and comfortable final sleep.

Child’s Coffin Baby Pink
Included Free
Child’s Casket Baby Blue
Included Free
Child’s Coffin Oak Veneer
Included Free
Child’s Casket White
Included Free
Last Supper Collection

Depicting Biblical and religious themes these coffins are best suited for religious and especially catholic funerals. Each scene is artfully countersunk into the body of the coffin presenting a beautiful and polished wood-effect finish.

The Last Supper
£450
The Crown of Thorns
£450
The Lourdes Scene
£450
The Foot of the Cross
£450
Natural Coffins

For those who want to combine a natural beauty with an eco-friendly funeral we offer a range of Natural Coffins. Bamboo, Banana and Willow coffins are especially suitable for environmentally friendly burial and our simple but beautiful cardboard coffins are the best eco-solution for both burial and cremation. Click below to see our full range of coffins for green funerals.

Bamboo
Banana
Willow
Decorated Cardboard

Testimonials

To Nathan, Jeremy and Staff

Thank you for your patience, support and knowledge. Without you I know the day would not have run so smoothly.

And thank you for going the extra mile time and again.

Love and Thanks…xxx

Jane Morris - May 2017

To Nathan, Brendan and staff at Penrose Funeral Directors,

On behalf of myself, Marie, Jim, Alice, Ronnie and Maggie we would like to send our heartfelt appreciation for your support during our most difficult time in arranging our lovely mum’s funeral. Your support was just want we needed to get through and all of you were amazing, especially Nathan and Brendan.

Mum had the most beautiful send off anyone could wish for and we as a family would have been lost without you all. Nothing was ever too much trouble.

Once again, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts xxx

Regards

Mary Docherty’s family - February 2023

To Everyone at Penrose,

We just wanted to thank you so much for organising Sylvia L’s Funeral.

We are so grateful for all you have done for us,

 

Regards

Marie Noble and family - June 2021

To Brendon, Jeremy and Nathan,

Thank you all so much for all the kindness and care, for looking after my lovely wife Margaret until the funeral.

Kind regards

Peter Shales - June 2022

Dear Jeremy, Nathan and the funeral boys,

Thank you for your kindness, patience, professionalism, your unswerving aplomb at our weird requests, and for your versatility in adapting to necessary last minute restrictions and changes due to Covid.

Above all though thank you for taking care of my dad,

Love

Jackie - December 2020

To Nathan, Jeremy and all at Penrose,

Thank you so very much for all your care in looking after our beloved Ryan, we couldn’t have hoped for a more beautiful funeral.

with love xx

Jackie, John, Holly and family - January 2024

Dear Penrose Team,

Many thanks to you for the dignified way you handled the funeral of my dearest mother Violet Mark, also the help you gave in such a careful way.

Everything was done to perfection and Violet’s family are truly grateful.

Kind regards,

Sharon Smart and Violet’s family - April 2021

…and I wish to thank both Jeremy and Nathan for your help and courteousness throughout

Judith Hill - June 2017
Read all testimonials
Your quote so far
A summary of your quote will appear here when you have started the process.

Send my quote

Send quote to Penrose

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.