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01.07.2009 - BRITISH INSTITUTE OF EMBALMERS VISIT HAINSWORTH MILL

British Institute of Embalmers views innovative woollen coffins

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, woollen 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 coffin is lined with organic cotton, edged with jute and has an integral, biodegradable waterproof base.  The woollen coffin cloth is prepared and stitched to fit around the cardboard and attention to detail ensures no part of the cardboard can be seen.

Special webbing means the coffin is very robust and it has been independently accredited by Lloyds to carry up to 42 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 woollen coffin and woollen ashes 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 Natural Legacy by Hainsworth woollen coffin range will be manufactured by the Hainsworth mill in Leeds and sold and distributed through the UK and Ireland by JC Atkinson.