The British Institute of Embalmers (BIE) took time from its Annual General Meeting in Harrogate recently to visit AW Hainsworth and Sons, a Yorkshire based speciality textile firm.  Over 40 guests were given a tour of the factory to see for themselves where the latest products to hit the funeral market, wool and cotton coffins, are made.

This innovative new coffin is a joint venture between Hainsworth and the UK’s leading coffin manufacturer, JC Atkinson and Son.  The idea for the coffin came from Adam Hainsworth who wanted to produce a product which was environmentally aware, fit for purpose and good value.  The partnership with JC Atkinson has enabled Hainsworth to tap into the coffin manufacturer’s extensive knowledge of the funeral market and the environment.   

The result is beautifully hand-crafted coffins made from pure new wool or heavy organic cotton supported on a strong, recycled cardboard frame.  Each type of coffin is lined with organic cotton, edged with jute and has an integral, biodegradable waterproof base.  The wool coffin cloth is prepared and stitched to fit around the cardboard and attention to detail ensures no part of the cardboard can be seen.

A special webbing means the coffin is very robust and it has been independently accredited by Lloyds to carry up to 40 stone.  All the materials used are biodegradable and suitable for cremation and all types of burial.  To complement the coffins a range of shrouds, accessories and matching ash caskets are available.  Both the coffin and the casket have personalised embroidered woollen name plates. 

The guests from BIE had a full guided tour of the factory seeing each of the numerous stages involved in making the wool cloth for the coffins.  They were struck by the attention to detail and the quality of the final product. 

The partnership between the two companies was formed when Hainsworth, a Royal Warrant Holder, which manufactures textiles for a diverse range of uses from pool and snooker cloth to the Queen’s Guards Scarlet, had the idea to make a coffin.  They approached JC Atkinson, the UK’s leading coffin manufacturer, and the idea became reality.

The Swaledale woollen coffin range and the Wharfedale cotton coffin range will be manufactured by the Hainsworth mill in Leeds and sold and distributed through JC Atkinson.

Julian Atkinson, Managing Director of JC Atkinson said: “This is an exciting new concept and one that brings something completely new to the coffin market.  For our company, as winner of the Sunday Times Green Company Award, one of the most important things is the environmental credentials of the materials.  The wool has a truly green lineage, being natural, sustainable and biodegradable, and the cotton is carefully selected to meet the Global Organic Textile Standard for sustainability.  Recycled cardboard is used and all the materials are readily biodegradable.  As the coffins are manufactured in Yorkshire, the distribution costs are minimised and there is the added benefit of boosting a local economy in a traditional manufacturing sector.

“The Hainsworth Coffin range ticks all our boxes as well as allowing us to bring something new and innovative to the market.  Our customers will know that, however unusual the product, it is backed by our expertise and commitment to service and delivery.”

Rachel Hainsworth, Sales Director of Hainsworth commented: “We have over two centuries of proven expertise in textiles so it was a natural choice for us to want to partner with JC Atkinson which has such a solid reputation in the coffin trade.  With Julian’s industry knowledge and our product expertise, we have an exciting new product and an established sales network.

“This is an innovative coffin and something completely new for the modern coffin market, but the use of wool in burials is not new.  The Burial in Woollen Act of 1666 made it a legal requirement for the dead to be buried in woollen shrouds in an attempt to boost the flailing woollen industry of the time.  In a way the industry has come full circle.”

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