Are Eco Coffins as Strong as Traditional?

As more people choose eco coffins—made from cardboard, willow, bamboo, or wool—it’s natural to wonder:
Are eco coffins as strong as traditional wooden ones?

The short answer is yes. Eco coffins are rigorously tested and certified to meet strict UK standards for strength and safety, ensuring they are just as reliable as traditional options.

In this article, we’ll explain how eco coffins are tested, who certifies them, and what gives them the strength to be used confidently in burials and cremations.

An eco coffin (also known as a biodegradable or natural coffin) is made from renewable, compostable, or recycled materials. Common eco coffin types include:

• Cardboard (recycled corrugated board)

• Willow or wicker (handwoven, fast-growing wood)

• Bamboo or banana leaf

• Seagrass or rattan

• Wool or felt

• Mycelium (mushroom-based)

These coffins are typically chosen for natural burials, but many are also accepted by crematoriums. They are not just more environmentally friendly—they’re also tested for durability, load-bearing strength, and safety.

In the UK, all coffins—eco or traditional—must meet rigorous standards if they are to be used for cremation or burial through funeral professionals. The two most respected testing protocols are carried out by:

The Funeral Furnishing Manufacturers' Association (FFMA)

The FFMA Coffin and Casket Testing Protocol is one of the most robust testing schemes in the UK. It is independently verified by UKAS-accredited laboratories, ensuring each coffin is tested to a high and impartial standard.

Before a coffin can receive the FFMA pass mark, it must pass eight mandatory tests, including:

• Weight-bearing tests for up to 25 stone (159 kg)

• Impact and drop tests simulating handling during transportation

• Cremator compatibility testing

• Combustion behaviour tests for eco and composite materials

• Structural integrity assessments

Only coffins that pass all tests are approved and stamped with the FFMA certification mark.

CCSA – Coffin, Casket and Shroud Association

The CCSA also carries out testing for eco coffins and shrouds. Their protocol includes:

• Burial and cremation suitability

• Lifting and carrying performance

• Handles, base, and lid strength

• Environmental material assessments

This extra layer of testing helps ensure that biodegradable coffins perform safely and consistently, especially when made from newer or less conventional materials like mushroom mycelium or wool.

Yes—cardboard coffins are much stronger than most people expect. Reinforced, multi-ply corrugated cardboard is used to construct the coffin body and base. Many are tested to carry up to 23–25 stone (roughly 146–159 kg) and pass all FFMA and CCSA requirements.

Cardboard coffins may include:

• Hidden internal support structures

• Double-wall cardboard layers

• Optional moisture-resistant linings (biodegradable)

They are lightweight, easy to handle, and surprisingly robust—suitable for both burial and cremation.

Each type of eco coffin uses its natural materials in innovative ways to ensure strength and durability:

• Wicker and willow coffins are tightly handwoven around a strong base frame.

• Bamboo coffins are constructed with interwoven panels and solid wood bases.

• Wool coffins use recycled cardboard or MDF inserts covered with a soft wool outer layer.

• Seagrass and rattan coffins use natural fibres woven around internal supports.

All of these are engineered to be both biodegradable and load-bearing, meeting the same functional requirements as hardwood or veneered coffins.

Yes. Many eco coffins—especially cardboard, bamboo, and wicker—are approved for cremation. They must pass specific combustion and safety tests to ensure they burn cleanly and safely without affecting cremator equipment.

You should always check with your chosen crematorium or funeral director to confirm if your selected eco coffin is FFMA- or CCSA-approved for cremation.

Eco coffins are not only as strong as traditional coffins—they’re often lighter, easier to handle, and far better for the environment. With strict testing standards in place from the FFMA and CCSA, families can choose a biodegradable coffin with confidence, knowing it meets all necessary safety and performance criteria.

Choosing an eco coffin is a powerful way to reflect your values—respect for nature, care for the planet, and simplicity in farewell. And now you can do so without compromising on strength or dignity.

Coffin and Casket Testing Protocol carried out by a UKAS accredited and independent testing.

A coffin must pass 8 mandatory tests before it can be licenced and stamped with The Funeral Furnishing Manufacturers' Association (FFMA) pass standard mark. 

FFMA Test Protocol - 

CCSA Coffin, Casket and Shroud Association - CCSA Testing Involves

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