Biodegradable Coffins UK – Eco Friendly Coffins for Burial & Cremation
A biodegradable coffin offers something quietly profound: a farewell that gives back to the earth rather than taking from it. Made entirely from natural materials, these coffins are designed to break down gently in the soil, leaving nothing synthetic behind — no metal, no plastic, no chemical trace.
Across the UK, more families ask for them every year, whether for a woodland burial, a traditional service or a cremation. At EcoCoffin, biodegradable coffins are our whole purpose, not a side line. Every coffin we sell is handmade from natural materials, weight-tested to 190kg (30 stone), and available to buy online from £325 with delivery to your funeral director. As an FSA member, we are accepted by funeral directors nationwide. This guide explains what biodegradable coffins are, what they are made from, where they are accepted, and how to choose the right one.
What Are Biodegradable Coffins?
A biodegradable coffin, sometimes called an eco coffin or green coffin, is built so that every part of it can decompose naturally. That means natural, compostable materials throughout: the shell, the frame, the lining, the handles and even the glue.
The contrast with a conventional coffin is bigger than most people realise. Traditional coffins often contain metal screws and fittings, plastic linings, and chipboard bonded with synthetic resins, all hidden beneath a veneer. A genuinely biodegradable coffin replaces all of it with materials the earth knows how to receive, and decomposes in years rather than decades.
Biodegradable Coffins for Sale in the UK
Our range covers the styles UK families ask for most, every one handmade and fully biodegradable:
Unlike suppliers who sell only to the funeral trade, we sell directly to families as well as funeral directors, so you can buy exactly the coffin you want, when you need it.
Biodegradable Coffins with No Metal or Plastic
"Biodegradable" only means something if it applies to the whole coffin. A wooden coffin with steel screws, plastic handles or a polyurethane varnish is not truly biodegradable; those parts stay in the ground long after everything else has gone.
That is why our coffins contain no metal and no plastic anywhere. Frames are joined with eco-friendly glue rather than screws, handles are natural rope, linings are 100% cotton, and finishes are biodegradable. When one of our coffins returns to the earth, it returns completely, with nothing synthetic left behind to interrupt the natural process.
Materials Used in Biodegradable Coffins
Different natural materials suit different tastes and budgets. These are the ones you will encounter most often in the UK.
Wicker and Willow
Handwoven coffins are the image most people have of a green funeral, and for good reason: the basket-style weave is beautiful, lightweight and fully compostable. Ours are woven from rattan, which has a solid core that adds strength while sharing willow's natural charm. You can read the comparison on our willow coffins page.
Wood
Sustainably sourced solid wood gives the familiar, traditional silhouette with none of the hidden synthetics of a veneered coffin. Our wooden eco coffin uses natural solid wood, a cotton lining and a biodegradable finish.
Seagrass and Natural Fibres
Fine woven fibres such as seagrass produce a softer, smoother weave with pale, coastal tones. Our seagrass-style woven coffin achieves this look in durable natural fibre over a solid wood frame.
Other materials, such as bamboo and cardboard, are offered by some UK suppliers. We have chosen to specialise in handwoven rattan and solid wood, which we believe offer the best balance of strength, beauty and value.
Biodegradable Coffins for Woodland Burial
Woodland and natural burial grounds are among the fastest-growing choices in UK funerals: peaceful meadows and woodlands where graves become part of the living landscape. Almost all of them require a fully biodegradable coffin as a condition of burial, precisely because nothing artificial should remain in the ground.
Our coffins meet that requirement completely: natural materials, no metal or plastic, and nothing that interferes with natural decomposition. If you are considering a particular burial ground and want to be certain, we are happy to confirm suitability with them directly.
Biodegradable Coffins for Cremation
Biodegradable coffins are just as suitable for cremation as for burial, and ours are accepted at crematoria across the UK. Because they contain no metal fittings or synthetic resins, they burn more cleanly than conventional coffins, with lower emissions.
The solid wooden flat base on each of our coffins sits securely on crematorium runners and hearse decks, so handling on the day is exactly as smooth as with a traditional coffin.
Trusted, Tested and Accepted Nationwide
Every coffin is weight-tested to 190kg (30 stone), built around a solid wood frame, and accepted by funeral directors nationwide. As an FSA member with a patented design, we have answered in advance the questions a crematorium or funeral director might ask. You can read more about our patented design, or see what families say on our reviews page.
Biodegradable Coffin Price Guide
Across the UK market, biodegradable coffins span a wide range, from simple cardboard designs at the budget end to premium handwoven willow at the top. They are often considerably cheaper than traditional hardwood, metal-fitted coffins.
Our own range keeps the choice simple:
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From £325 — Natural Wicker Eco Coffin
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From £345 — White Wicker Eco Coffin
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From £410 — Natural Woven Eco Coffin
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£500 — Natural Wooden Eco Coffin
Every price includes the cotton lining and natural handles, and you can spread the cost with Klarna at checkout. What moves prices across the market is material, weaving or joinery quality, size and finish, so when comparing, always check what is included.
Why More Families in the UK Are Choosing
Biodegradable Coffins
Part of it is awareness: people increasingly carry their environmental values through every decision, and see no reason the last one should be different. Part of it is the rise of natural burial, which has opened beautiful woodland resting places across the country. And part of it is simpler still: many people find a woven or natural wood coffin warmer and more personal than polished hardwood and brass.
Whatever the reason, the shift is real and growing. Choosing a biodegradable coffin is no longer an unusual request; it is one of the most considered choices a family can make.
How to Choose the Right Biodegradable Coffin
By material. Woven rattan suits families who love the natural, handcrafted look; solid wood suits those who want eco-credentials in a traditional form. Both are fully biodegradable, so it is a matter of feel, not function.
By budget. Our wicker coffins from £325 are the most accessible; the woven coffin at £410 offers a finer weave; the wooden coffin at £500 gives the classic silhouette. All include lining and handles, with no hidden extras.
By funeral type. For woodland burial, any of our coffins qualifies, as full biodegradability is the requirement and all meet it. For cremation, all are accepted at UK crematoria. For a traditional burial service, the choice is purely personal: wood for familiarity, weave for natural warmth.
Buy a Biodegradable Coffin Online with UK Delivery
Ordering is designed to be the easiest part of a hard week. Choose your coffin online, or call us on 01277 815055 to order by phone, and tell us where to send it. Delivery to your funeral director is free. If you need it sooner, or sent to a private address, express delivery within 1–3 working days is £75, and free collection from our Brentwood warehouse in Essex is also available. Every coffin travels in respectful, protective packaging, and if you are unsure about anything at all, our UK-based team will talk it through with you, with no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are biodegradable coffins made of?
They are made entirely from natural, compostable materials. Ours use rattan, natural woven fibres, sustainably sourced wood, organic cotton linings and natural rope handles, with no metal, plastic or synthetic finishes anywhere.
Are biodegradable coffins strong enough?
Yes. Each of our coffins is built around a solid wood frame and weight-tested to 190kg (30 stone). As an FSA member, we are accepted by funeral directors nationwide.
Can I buy a biodegradable coffin online?
Yes. You can order directly from our website, with free delivery to your funeral director or express delivery to a private address anywhere in the UK.
How much does a biodegradable coffin cost?
Prices vary across the market with material and craftsmanship. Our handmade coffins cost from £325 to £500, including the lining and handles.
Are biodegradable coffins suitable for cremation?
Yes. With no metal or synthetic components, they burn cleanly and are accepted at crematoria across the UK, as well as at woodland and traditional burial grounds.
