The Carlisle Coffin, designed for displaying during the crematorium service, can be re-used. It is a large casket made of poplar, beautifully varnished - of a quality that would normally cost the customer £2,000 (and that costs £600 to make). A cardboard coffin is fitted inside for the ceremony, but then the head end of the outer coffin slides up to release the cardboard coffin. The body never touches the wooden coffin.
Ken West, the manager at Carlisle Bereavement Services, who is pioneering the use of this coffin at their local authority crematorium in Carlisle, Cumbria, says that they will charge £85 for each use of the Carlisle Coffin. This price, however, includes the cost of the inner cardboard coffin (the charge is £95 if an inner lining is required for viewing purposes).
West calculates that this hire charge will pay for the coffin over 25 uses, whilst allowing for refurbishment costs every 10 to 15 uses.
West is happy to advise other crematoria on acquiring and using such a coffin.
Ken West, Carlisle Crematorium, Bereavement Services, Cemetery Office, Richardson Street, Carlisle CA2 6AL (tel 01228 25022).
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