Let's DIY our coffin design!
First, I want to offer a deep hearted apology for my absence these past few months. Turns out it's not so easy to launch a new business in the heart of a recession. Also turns out its not so easy to launch a new, innovative coffin design into an industry that's predominantly stuck in the dark ages!
Hmm, I'm sure that last statement will no doubt rattle a few cages but since launching the Curve coffin - beautiful hand painted, solid wood coffins - almost a year ago all but one of our sales have been "direct sales" to people looking for something a bit different to the norm, people who have decided to do it alone (without using the services of a FD) or people with a terminal illness who have time to research the market and plan their own fare well.
The one and only sale we've made through an FD was initiated by the client who saw one of our coffins on another FD's website but didn't know how to find us.
Anyway, the long and the short of it is that we've had a good, long hard think about what we want to do and why. I've had to go and earn some money doing other things and we've had to say farewell to our lovely farm based workshop in Kent.
But, the truth of it is that we love making beautiful coffins for discerning people who want something a little bit more exclusive than your everyday, sticky back plastic covered, chip-board box. We love making works of art for people's funerals and we love having conversations with real people about their choices in life and death.
So we are still here - albeit in a slightly different configuration - and we are still making beautiful hand painted coffins...oh and the occasional toy box too!
However, since the title of this post is Let's DIY our coffin design and not Let's have a bit of a rant and tell the punters what's going on at Wealden Coffins, I'll get on with it.
It turns out that many of us are favouring a DIY approach to coffin design and, although some might not have the necessary skills to actually make their own coffins, there are many who would like to be involved in the final design or decoration of the coffin.
So, whilst our hand painted coffins remain popular, we've been asked by many people if we can supply either a plain wooden coffin (or a plain white undercoated coffin) so that they can decorate it themselves. Not only is it much more personal but it can also prove to be extremely cathartic as friends and family take time to remember their loved ones whilst creating a loving tribute.
We were recently approached by a young mother who wanted to involve her children in the decoration of Dad's coffin. She thought it would be a good way of spending time with her boys and an opportunity to talk about their fathers death and forthcoming funeral whilst at the same time allowing them to express their thoughts through art.
We were lucky enough to be sent some photos of the finished coffin which I am sure you'll agree look marvellous.
If you have any comments or feedback, please feel to contact us through our website www.wealdencoffins.co.uk
