Would you buy a coffin online ?

What_a_rip_off

Interesting. I did email a couple of manufacturers directly they weren't interested in direct selling. I guess the whole funeral thing is a close knit community. One of the few remaining industries that don't have any kind of pressure on them to change due to competition....

andrealm

I wouldn't buy one online because you could never be sure how long delivery would take,if you had a funeral organised for a certain date, what would you do if it didn't turn up in time?

What_a_rip_off

andrealm wrote: »

I wouldn't buy one online because you could never be sure how long delivery would take,if you had a funeral organised for a certain date, what would you do if it didn't turn up in time?

True, but most things are available next day delivery nowadays, there should be no reason why a coffin can't be either. Most are a generic size so this shouldn't be an issue in this day and age.... surely ?

whatatwit

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

I'll look next time I'm there. They had a massive speedboat last time, IIRC. Even harder to store!

Having skipped through the thread giggling....I thought that Savvy-Sue had seen a speedboat coffin :eek::eek:

When my uncle died, it took the funeral directors a few days to source him a coffin, he was a rather large man.
I did offer to make him one out of cardboard boxes....he would have appreciated the thought.

As previous posters have said, the crematoria do have rules and regs as to what they can burn, if you wanted a 'solid' wood coffin, then the charges increase as they take longer to burn than a standard 'cremation' coffin.

andrealm

What_a_rip_off wrote: »

True, but most things are available next day delivery nowadays, there should be no reason why a coffin can't be either. Most are a generic size so this shouldn't be an issue in this day and age.... surely ?

Tbh I never really trust next day delivery, and living in NI they don't usually guarantee next day delivery anyway. I wouldn't want to risk myself and I definitely wouldn't want to buy my own in advance, even if I was 95. Can't think of anything worse than going into your spare room and coming face to face with your own coffin.:eek:

What_a_rip_off

whatatwit wrote: »

Having skipped through the thread giggling....I thought that Savvy-Sue had seen a speedboat coffin :eek::eek:

When my uncle died, it took the funeral directors a few days to source him a coffin, he was a rather large man.
I did offer to make him one out of cardboard boxes....he would have appreciated the thought.

As previous posters have said, the crematoria do have rules and regs as to what they can burn, if you wanted a 'solid' wood coffin, then the charges increase as they take longer to burn than a standard 'cremation' coffin.

I suppose for the majority it wouldn't be an issue. However as we seem to be morphing into a nation of larger people it could be more tricky than I considered.

and yes it wasn't until I read that there are so many rules and regs nowadays so agree it would need to be from a reputable source.

lostinrates

andrealm wrote: »

Tbh I never really trust next day delivery

When it comes to it it won't be me waiting, so I can ''live'' with that

I'd be happy to buy online. I'm happy with a cardboard one. To be honest, I'd be happy to be squashed into a big cardboard box....its not as if I'll be uncomfortable.

What_a_rip_off

andrealm wrote: »

Tbh I never really trust next day delivery, and living in NI they don't usually guarantee next day delivery anyway. I wouldn't want to risk myself and I definitely wouldn't want to buy my own in advance, even if I was 95. Can't think of anything worse than going into your spare room and coming face to face with your own coffin.:eek:

Oh yeah you are quite positively on the other side of the planet... well so you would think with the postal service nowadays !

I'm not thinking about purchasing for long term storage. I am researching costs for an event that is likely to happen sometime soon (not me hopefully).

Just would be nice not to have to spend £300-£400 on a box. Thats the price I've been quoted from a couple of undertakers for a box without their 'professional' fees.

What_a_rip_off

lostinrates wrote: »

When it comes to it it won't be me waiting, so I can ''live'' with that

I'd be happy to buy online. I'm happy with a cardboard one. To be honest, I'd be happy to be squashed into a big cardboard box....its not as if I'll be uncomfortable.

I'm thinking more for those who are left with bearing the cost after losing a loved one. While in most cases it comes out of the estate, there are some where this can't happen and to try and find circa 2.5k from nowhere is a bit of a concern.
As long as its tasteful or is inkeeping with the request of the deceased then its ok with me... a box, a coffin, a casket or whatever.
Just can't believe I don't have the option to source what I want from where I want without the unnecessary hike adopted by the undertaker.

What_a_rip_off

OK so what I've found is..

You can buy a cardboard box for £110 + £50 for delivery ( for a box!!!)

A wicker / willow / bamboo coffin for £430 all in.

From a funeral director £330 - £400 for a no frills veneer coffin (without their services).

IMHO it's crazy !