A fitting tribute to Sir Donald Sinden

Experiences of a coffineer - Part 11

A fitting tribute to Sir Donald Sinden OBE

Last week the world lost one it's finest actors of screen and stage. Sir Donald Sinden died at home at the age of 90 following a prolonged battle with cancer.

The national press has given praise for his extensive work and his contribution to british acting. They have fully covered his career and extolled his acting successes over the past 7 decades. 

Sir Donald will be remembered for his various stage appearances from comedy (There's a girl in my soup, 1966 - 1973) to various Shakespearean characters, in numerous film productions and more recently playing alongside Martin Shaw in BBC's Judge John Deed.

Today, Sir Donald's funeral service was held at a small village church miles from the busy west end where he was a regular visitor. Friends and family gathered at St John the Baptist in Wittersham, near Tenterden in Kent to say farewell to the great man.

The Sindens are neighbours of ours and Sir Donald was a very popular and highly respected member of our community. Locally he will be remembered for his happy manner and friendly smiles in the High Street of Tenterden and surrounding villages. Quite often I would hear his distinctive voice booming across the aisles of our local Waitrose as he chatted with staff and other customers alike. 

Sir Donald was also a supporter of local arts - he was patron of the Barn Theatre Company based at the Ellen Terry Barn Theatre at Smallhythe Place and supporter of Homewood School drama department who named their theatre after him.

He also supported the local community in many other ways. I remember well, one year, running into Donald at Stone village fair where he was master of ceremonies and resident judge and prize awarder - in his best shakespearean theatrical voice presiding over best victoria sponge and largest marrow. A delight to the ears!

As such, we were delighted to be asked by his son, actor and director, Marc Sinden if we could provide a hand painted Curve Coffin for Sir Donald in the distinctive "Salmon and Cucumber" colours of the Garrick Club in London which Sir Donald frequented.

The Curve Coffin in Garrick Club colours

The Garrick Club flag flies at half mast

We are delighted that the story was covered by local press:

Dame Judi Dench joins mourners at Wittersham church at funeral service for actor Sir Donald Sinden

For more information about the Curve Coffin please visit www.wealdencoffins.co.uk

Experiences of a Coffineer, Part 11 - Stories from a not so distant land

After one of my recent posts, I received an email from one of my friends telling us about a funeral she had attended for a distant relative on the Western shores of Ireland. It was such a moving story that I asked if I could share it via the blog.

It's lovely to hear tales of life, love and loss - however moving and emotional they are - as these are stories of real people who we share our short lives with. 

What's interesting to note from this story is the high level of involvement by the whole family and local community which is so different to how most funerals operate in the UK. It makes me wonder if we have over sanitised this important tradition with a hope to protect our still living family. In the end, I fear, this has the opposite effect by making death a taboo subject which most of us dread but yet at the same time is inevitable. 

One of the main reason we developed the Curve Coffin is to help people to celebrate the life of their loved ones and to offer a beautiful option for a solid wood coffin.

So, in my friend's own words….

Here's the tale of a funeral I went to about 5 years ago, nearer to home in Ireland. Nothing so splendid.



Some of my in-laws are from an Irish-speaking part of western Ireland. The cities there are as cosmopolitan as anywhere but the countryside maintains its traditions, particularly for the elderly.

This area of Ireland has converted to Irish-speaking but when the deceased was growing up (he was born in 1925) his father insisted his children went to English-speaking schools because he felt this was the way forward. Of the 9 brothers and sisters born in that very house, one died in her 30's, 1 went to Liverpool as a nanny, 3 went to London to seek their fortune, a couple of girls married local farmers and 2 boys stayed home as bachelors to run the farm.

The deceased died in an old-people's home (very rare in Ireland but he had never married) and from the moment he died he was never left alone: three nieces and their children took it in turn to sit with his body until he was removed to the undertaker's.

The undertaker employed someone to stay with him until he and his coffin were removed to his former home. Once at home, the family and neighbours sat with him in his open coffin in the sitting room - this is the origin of the "Wake", as someone stays awake with the body in its coffin – until he was ready to be removed to the Chapel.

We arrived from the UK via plane and hire-car at midnight, after a full day's work, and sat up with him all night until someone woke in the morning to let us go to bed. By 3 am I was so tired I was willing to take the body to bed with us, I’m sure he wouldn't have minded!


The next day after a home service, the undertaker took the body to its chapel of rest. Local papers had already issued invitations to anyone who wished to come to attend the "Remove" and there were over 1,000 attendees.

The family (us) were arranged in a line from nearest to furthest related, I was at the end with the cousins-in-law, loads of them. All the guests shook hands with everyone and murmured "I'm sorry for your loss".

The children drew pictures which they put in the coffin with sweets, photos, etc. At the end the family were invited to screw down the coffin lid (I said no…weird) and the coffin was wheeled across the road to the church, draped in Irish flags and I don't know what else.

In the church a junior priest sat up all night with the body. The next day was the service, fairly normal, then the bereaved nephews and cousins carried the deceased to his final resting place beside his brother and parents in the church graveyard.
 I am not religious but it was the most meaningful funeral I have ever attended and, having Irish in-laws, I go to a lot of funerals.





The thing is, it was all done with great respect. They are my in-laws and they are from such a different world.

For more information about the Curve Coffin please visit www.wealdencoffins.co.uk

Experiences of a coffineer - Part 10

A really useful trip to the crematorium

It's quite a few months since we had our first cremation. In order to prove our suitability, we needed to "crem test" our Curve coffin and so, with a little negotiation, arranged a suitable date with a very nice lady at Mortlake Crematorium in South West London.

Via a local firm of FDs, we agreed to donate one of our hand-painted Curve coffins for a local man whose family could not afford to fund his funeral - we were delighted that we could help out in this small way and not just waste one of our beautiful coffins on an empty burning. 

Since the deceased gentleman was originally from South Africa, we offered to decorate the coffin with an Agapanthus design (African Lilly). 

             Pallbearers carrying a hand-painted Curve coffin into Mortlake Crematorium

We've had a few comments since to say that our beautiful coffins are far too good to burn, but then again, they are probably too good to stick in the ground as well and this is the nature of the business that we're in - creating beautiful, hand painted coffins to help people celebrate the lives of their lost ones.

But in this day and age of ecological awareness, just how "green" is the cremation process?

The answer, of course, primarily depends on the age of the cremator (or more accurately how modern it is) and therefore how efficiently it operates. Modern cremators operate far more efficiently and cleanly than older ones.

Modern cremators use better technology than their predecessors. The technology within a modern crematorium ensures all exhaust gasses are re-ignited to ensure that the discharges to the atmosphere are kept to a minimum. Modern crematoriums should operate with no odour, no smoke, and no noise emitted to the environment around it – in fact, they are cleaner burning than most wood burners operating in domestic homes. 

Cremation does use scarce energy resources (natural gas) and contributes to the production of greenhouse gases. However modern, properly operated crematoria do minimise this impact. And, as each cremation is completed, heat is retained in the bricks of the cremator. Therefore, the more cremations that take place in a day, the more efficient the cremator becomes.

The beauty of a solid wood coffin is that it actually aids the cremation process by adding to the fuel and thus reducing the amount of gas required to cremate the body.

Then there is the little considered benefit of recycling natural resources.

Following the cremation of a deceased person the ashes are likely to contain metals, such as items used in the construction of the coffin and, frequently, orthopaedic implants, such as hip and knee replacement joints or metal braces used in repairing broken bones. 

In the past these metals were removed from the ashes and buried within the grounds of the crematorium. Nowadays, and this is certainly the case at Mortlake, these metals are often collected and recycled - the money raised is donated to national or local bereavement Charities, such as CRUSE, Macmillan, SANDS and Cancer Research.

So, before you bury Uncle Bob or Aunty Joan, you might just want to consider how much metal they've got inside of them and whether it would be better for the environment to recycle these parts for future use.

For more information about the Curve coffin please visit www.wealdencoffins.co.uk, find us Facebook or follow us on Twitter @wealdencoffins

Experiences of a coffineer - Part 9

Graham Norton, my new best friend

Here's my first blog of 2014 and I'm telling you it's been a busy old time over at Wealden Coffins HQ.

Firstly, thanks to Holly, we have a brand new and shiny website which I must say is looking rather sparkly and fabulous. If you haven't seen it yet then please head over to www.wealdencoffins.co.uk and take a peek. Please feel free to feedback and let us know what you think.

Secondly, we've been busy on the business side of things - upping the marketing on social media (for the very latest news and views see us on facebook and follow us on twitter @wealdencoffins), working on a business case to raise finance for our planned expansion in 2014 and undertaking some extensive design work to upgrade the Curve.

Thirdly, of course, making and painting beautiful Curve coffins for our clients.

                                   Holly painting on one of the few sunny days

                         Andy putting the inner framework together for another Curve

                                The finished product - a hand painted Curve coffin

During one such Radio 2 fuelled workshop stints I overheard the dulcet tones of Graham Norton requesting listeners to come on air and present their "Tune with a tale" and at the same time have the opportunity to promote their business to the public. 

So, not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I was soon tapping away on the world wide wibbley-wob to submit my tune to Graham's production team and await their reply.

Now, being a bit of a media tart, I've made many approaches to press, radio and tv over the years and so I wasn't expecting a response at any time too soon. Imagine my surprise, therefore, when a very nice man called Paul rang me just a few days later to talk through my submission and to "audition" me for the show. Literally, all I had to do was tell him a bit about myself and the business and then present my Tune with a Tale. Easy Peasy!

To my amazement Paul then asked me if I was free the following Saturday at 12 O'clock to go on the show - now, either they struggle to get submissions for this part of the show or Paul liked the idea of having a coffin maker on the show or I delivered such an amazing audition that they couldn't possibly let me get away. Of course I like to think it's the latter.

So, all too soon the big day came round and after a brief conversation with Paul I was live on the air with Graham in front of millions of listeners around the country. As ever, Graham was jolly and chatty and gave me plenty of time to talk about myself and my work. I did notice a small titter from the great man when he first asked me about my business - I guess it's not everyday you talk to a coffineer and I must admit I've had a few odd looks from people in the past - but I must say he showed great interest in the Curve and gave me every opportunity to promote our beautiful coffins on national radio.

Amazing publicity that money just can't buy!

Following the broadcast, we had over 400 hits on the Wealden Coffins website (www.wealdencoffins.co.uk) and several comments via our Facebook page and twitter. 

So, a big thank you to Graham and everyone at BBC Radio 2.

Oh, and my tune - Meat Loaf, Two out of three ain't bad.

Play tune


PS If you're quick, you can still catch me on the iPLayer at 2.14.55

Listen here



For more information please visit our website at www.wealdencoffins.co.uk

Experiences of a Coffineer - Part 8

The cold chill of winter blows in

Well it has certainly been a busy few months. Summer's gone and all of a sudden we turn around to find it's blowing a gail outside, we've got early morning frost, freezing temperatures and even some snow in northern climes!

Holly and I spent much of the Summer months learning lines and rehearsing our respective parts for TODS production of Joe Orton's What the Butler Saw. Orton's controversial 60s farce sees most of the cast being drugged, stripped of their clothes or shot at. After much frenzied activity and panic in the last few weeks of rehearsal it turned out to be quite a production full of much madness and hilarity. For those of you interested enough, here's a link to a wee write up and some pics: www.tods.me.uk

I've finally completed the new garden workshop - all bar a bit of additional insulation for the roof and running a permanent power supply from the house. With primrose yellow timber cladding and reclaimed stained glass windows, it's caused a bit of a stir amongst our immediate neighbours who witnessed its construction over the summer. Its still a bit of a mess inside (tools and wood everywhere) but I've still managed to find the space to make a couple of coffins and a toy box.

Holly has been really busy putting together a collection of wildlife sculptures for her latest exhibition in Tenterden's Lighthouse Gallery with fellow artist Robbie Graham. For more information see www.hollybridgestockperriss-sculptor.com

All this brings me back to my latest Curve coffin creation:

Last week Holly took a call from a man (we'll call him Bob) whose wife had just died - literally - and  he had no idea what to do other than the fact that he wanted to secure one of our hand painted Curve coffins for his wife. He was naturally somewhat distraught and confused but felt he had to call someone, and so that someone was us. 

At this point Bob had not contacted a Funeral Director and had no idea how to choose one that might be sympathetic to his needs.

Holly's immediate thought was to put Bob in touch with our good friend Charles Cowling at the Good Funeral Guide who she knew would be able to help.  We later received this message from Bob via email.

Thank you. Thank you for coming up with such an amazing idea, design and passion to create a business from it.

I sat with my wife 4 weeks ago in the full knowledge that she was going to die without seeing our amazing and beautiful 3 and 5 year old daughters growing up. The fear I felt and am still feeling at facing the future without her being there with me is not something I can fully express but I do know that she saw this coffin (it was actually the high point of an otherwise very emotional conversation) and absolutely wanted it, so this is something that I can definitely do for her.

When I first called you, I spoke to Holly. It was within an hour of xxxxx's death, because suddenly the coffin had become so critically important, and "was" an absolute requirement for what is to come next. She recommended I look at/contact the good funeral guide, and the next day, after reading the significant advice on funeral directors I did just that and called Charles. There were no recommendations for my area, but he went away and spent 45 minutes calling not only funeral directors in my area, but celebrants to see if they knew these directors and get their opinions. Ultimately the main recommendation he had was the one I have gone with after visiting a few others, and they are accommodating everything I am asking for, even though it clearly deviates from their outwardly very "traditional" business. 

This is why we do what we do. I know it's not everyone's idea of the perfect job  but for me there is nothing more special than creating something beautiful for what is undoubtedly one of the most important days of our life.

We love creating beautiful coffins for beautiful people.

For more information about our beautiful coffins please go to www.wealdencoffins.co.uk

Experiences of a coffineer - Part 7

The art of death

Isn't it a shame that in this day and age of creativity and innovation there seems to be little progress in the design of coffins?


In fact you could say that coffin design (or manufacture at least) has taken a step backwards in the UK where the majority of sales today are of chipboard coffins with wood-effect plastic veneer or sticky back plastic in Blue Peter parlance.

Of course there are exceptions and I must say that I do like many of the woven willow coffins as well as the natural wool coffin from Hainsworth, both of which provide softer, more aesthetic options - but it's such a shame that many families are "led" down the chipboard coffin route simply for monetary reasons.

When we first designed The Curve coffin we knew we had something special -  after all there aren't any other wooden coffins with a curved profile on the market - but with an artistic hand painted, creative finish we think that we've moved coffin design into a whole new era.

Our goal is to produce beautiful works of art for each and every coffin that we make.

At the moment we have a hand-painted Curve coffin on display at the Wealden Makers' Gallery in Tenterden, Kent

The coffin is a full sized adult coffin with a beautiful artistic design created by my talented partner, Holly. It has a rubbed-back, rustic feel duck egg base coat with a stunning, stylised single dove on the top as the main image and a beautiful twisted vine border running long the edge.

I'm pleased to say that we've had great feedback from visitors to the gallery with many positive comments.

Also at the gallery is a variety of art from Tenterden Makers artists and regular exhibiting guests including photography, ceramics, felting, paintings and mosaics. For more information about the artists please see www.tenterdenmakers.com

For more information about our beautiful coffins please go to www.wealdencoffins.co.uk

Experiences of a Coffineer - Part 6

Talking with the dead


Imagine the scene: a cold dark draughty room with only a few flickering candles for light. A group of strange people gathered uncomfortably around the table. The sound of eerie music playing in the background.

Now, before we all get carried away, I'm not really referring to Ouija board seance mumbo jumbo here.

As I think I may have mentioned before, one of the most amazing and emotional parts of this job is speaking with your prospective customers as they make plans for their own deaths or for the funerals of their loved ones.

Since we first opened Wealden Coffins with the launch of the Curve Coffin last spring I've had many such conversations and I can tell you there is nothing quite so humbling as a deep and meaningful conversation with someone who is planning their own death.

Whilst most funerals are arranged in haste by family members with the local funeral directors, often with no real knowledge of what the deceased really wanted for their final celebration, there is definitely a growing number of people who want to research the options before they die and make some if not all of the final arrangement for their own funerals. 

And from the conversations I've had it seems that the last thing most of these people want is an impersonal, bog standard funeral with an often mundane and  uninspiring traditional coffin.

I recently had a chat with a lovely lady who had discovered us through the the coffin listings on the Good Funeral Guide where our good friend Charles Cowling kindly promotes us.

We talked about the weather, the snow and the rain (ok so it wasn't that recent) how the farmers were struggling and of course our coffins. She mentioned how lovely it was to see a coffin that looked so unusually unlike a coffin and how beautiful they looked!

Michelle had seen our beautiful Curve Coffin hand painted by Holly with our tree of life design but wanted to know if it was available with apples instead of hearts for the fruits. I explained that all of our coffins are hand made to order and then painted to order so anything was possible! 

We spoke about colours and finishes, apples (my favourites are Braeburn, Michelle's were Galas) and how many handles were on the coffins, that they are made from natural hemp rope and totally structural. 

At the time I wasn't sure if it was a request for herself or for another family member. I followed up with an email  confirming our conversation and left it at that.

It wasn't until several weeks later that I was reminded of the call when I was approached by the funeral directors acting for the family. Michelle had passed away and had left detailed instructions about the actual coffin she wanted for her own funeral, specifying the design, the colour and the finish in her final wishes. 

It's conversations like these that make me realise that what we are doing is something special.

We've had several people tell us that our coffins are beautiful and it's great to know that we aren't just making coffins, we make things of beauty.