Freeman Brothers was first established as a funeral director in Horsham, West Sussex, in 1855. The company now has four offices in total, with additional branches in Billingshurst, Crawley and Hurstpierpoint. As things continue to change within the funeral industry, employees aim to stay on top of new developments, including product launches…

A new product has recently launched to the UK market, offering people an additional choice in terms of coffin. We’re always pleased to hear about innovations within the funeral industry and aim to share these with our customers, so it’s time to tell you about Loop products.

Non-traditional coffins
Based in The Netherlands, Loop is a coffin made from a different type of material – mushroom fibres and upcycled hemp. This material is manufactured quickly – it only takes seven days to ‘grow’ one of these coffins – and sustainably, as well as being to biodegrade in as short of a period of time as 45 days.

As standard, the coffins are lined with moss – including a pillow – but there are other options available if this doesn’t appeal. In line with the brand’s ethos, all options are natural materials that are fully biodegradable, designed to have minimal environmental impact.

Loop refer to their coffin as a ‘Living Cocoon’ and the material is described as being hydrophobic. This means that it’s suitable for temporary storage or use in a damp environment – some eco-friendly coffins are less capable at a rainy service, but this option would better tolerate those conditions.

Additional accessories for Loop coffins
Some other options that are suitable for use with these coffins offer attractive options in terms of personalisation. As the coffin outer is very plain – it comes in two colours, though these can best be described as white and beige – it’s possible to decorate it. The manufacturer suggests – and supplies an appropriate kit – eco-friendly paint. This means you can add any embellishments you like, such as personal messages or doodles.

There is also a biodegradable shroud available for purchase via Loop, should you wish to have the coffin covered.

Other options via Loop products
Something that we found particularly interesting at Freeman Brothers is Loop’s ‘ForestBed’. This is essentially a shallow tray – a less substantial version of the coffin base – that someone can be rested in. It is suitable for burial, and lined in the same way as the coffin. It also reminds us very much of a product which was initially custom-made for one of our customers by Somerset Willow. The customer had requested a shroud only, but this was deemed slightly unsuitable for the planned funeral, and instead a willow tray was woven – just as subtle but offering something a little more robust for the person’s final journey.

The final product available is Loop’s ‘EarthRise’ – an urn which can be used to contain cremated remains, and is suitable for planting. There are two choices available with this – it can be used simply as a buried urn, or a seedling of a plant can be included in the lid so that it ultimately grows above the buried urn.

Availability of Loop in the UK
Loop products have come to the UK via renowned coffin supplier, J. C. Atkinson. They have informed us that all products are suitable for burial or cremation in the UK. Coffins in the UK must have a name plate on them, and we noticed that this was absent from the promotional materials. We have been informed that there are several options, including embroidered wool, but it is worth remembering that this is necessary.

Additionally, Loop offers a voucher scheme in their home territory of The Netherlands. Essentially, this is the option to pre-pay for one of their products, in the same way that it is possible to buy a prepaid funeral plan. However, unfortunately the voucher scheme is not currently available to UK customers.

It’s great to see continued innovation within the funeral industry, and this will meet a need for many customers in terms of their requirement to improve the eco-friendliness of funerals. Above all, it means that customers have an increase in one of the most important factors of all – choice.

You can find out more about Loop products here – please be reminded that not all products are available in the UK, and that UK distribution is solely via J. C. Atkinson and their funeral director partners.