Client Feedback & Reviews

I bought a beautiful engraved ashes casket from Sussex Willows. It was really easy to order, arrived really quickly and was exactly what I wanted. It was a comfort having the ashes placed in something so natural and nice. Amy Sneyd - Derbyshire

Looking online for a willow coffin for my Mum I was delighted to find a local maker - Sussex Willow Coffins just a few miles from me. I spoke to Jake and he was extremely helpful, it was a stressful time and he was very patient and understanding. He happened to have a suitably sized coffin at his workshop which he was able to line for me and was quite happy for me to come and pick it up in my estate car, this didn't faze him at all. The coffin was really beautiful, we decorated it very simply with flowers from my Mum's old garden and I absolutely know it was what she would have chosen if she could have done. It was complimented many times, by the funeral directors as well as friends and family. It really couldn't have been better.

We contacted Jake urgently for the coffin for a friend. Jake gave such good advice. His compassion and dedication shone through. Then we fetched one of his green willow coffins for our friend. It is so beautiful, partly woven from willows from our friend's beloved Sussex Downs, and reminiscent of the willow hedges that our friend loved and walked beside for many a mile...wonderful craftsmanship and attention to detail, and our friend's hand etched name plate is breathtaking.

Lovely coffin - really easy to arrange on the phone and my family were extremely happy with it. Thank you.

When searching for a UK maker of willow coffins I came across Sussex Willow and Jake Whitcroft. I'm so glad I did. Visited Jake's workshop where he was happy to show me examples of his work and discuss my requirements. Over the next few days Jake was always prompt in responding to calls and emails and the coffin was delivered to the funeral directors in plenty of time. Mum would have been delighted with the result and the coffin was much admired by many who attended her funeral. First-rate service and quality.

Beautiful coffin for my mum I ordered one of the Sussex Willow coffins for my mum as we were having a natural burial for her. Jake was incrediably helpful and kind, the coffin was made and delivered within a few days of me ordering it. It looked beautiful and the funeral directors said it was the best willow coffin they had ever seen. It was woven properly all the way round, it didnt have a wooden base, but a proper willow one (apparently many willow coffins have a cheap hardboard base and just willow sides - I had no idea!) We put simple white lilies on the top and wound a few bits of ivy round the sides and it looked lovely. I was so pleased with it. I am hoping not to need another such coffin for a long time, but if I do then I would certainly get Jake to make it.

I found Sussex Willow Coffins online and my dealings with Jake were by email. He responded to all my questions promptly, liaised with the funeral directors, and was so helpful, courteous and kind. He provided a beautifully crafted, appropriately sized coffin (mum was small, well under 5 ft), and also an ashes casket. He clearly pays great attention to detail, not only in the weaving of the coffin itself, but also with the lettering on the nameplate, and the handles, loops, clasps and liner. I felt as if he was looking after my mum in some way, and she looked peaceful and comfortable in her coffin. Thank you Jake - my family and I can unreservedly recommend you and your work.

Jake was really helpful, caring and knowledgeable in a time when we needed assistance. He was able to hand build a bespoke coffin for our loved family member. Jake also liaised with the funeral directors to make sure everything was on time etc. We have since commissioned a ashes casket in the same willow design as the original coffin and again Jake was most accommodating. Thank you for making a difficult time easier.

My dad was being buried in Wales, but I was unable to find a willow coffin maker anywhere near who was available. As a last resort I looked up Willow Coffins in Sussex, where I live, and found Jake. He was able to create a coffin within our timescale, and get it delivered to our funeral director in Wales with no problem. Unfortunately I didn't have an opportunity to visit Jake at his work place, so instead chose a design from photos on his website. Although I had every confidence he would do a great job, when we saw Dad's coffin on the day it surpassed all expectations. It was a work of art, and absolutely perfect for my dad who loved all things woody and rustic. The family all gathered round and took a moment to admire Jake's workmanship, the details were lovely, from the lettering on the wooden nameplate to the braided loops holding the hazel rods. Our funeral director said she has never seen a more beautiful coffin, and we all concurred. Thank you so much Jake, I couldn't recommend you more highly.

Having been let down by another coffin supplier, i contacted Sussex Willow Coffins andJake stepped in to help us out, he had a beautiful wicker casket made and delivered within 4 days which included the weekend! The craftsmanship was exceptional, helping make my dad's funeral special although one of the saddest days of my life, the customer service we received from first contact through to delivery was truly excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Jake and his team to anyone who requires an expert in eco friendly coffin. Thank you Jake.

I cannot speak highly enough of Jake, his professionalism and customer service skills are outstanding. All of my communication with Jake was on the phone and right for the start I was struck by his respectful demeanour and his senstivity. We did not have the chance to see the coffin we had selected before the day of the funeral but we were delighted by what we saw on the day, it helped to lift the atmosphere and was commented on by everyone. Thanks again Jake.

Dear Jake, thank you so much making Dad's coffin. Mum (and all of us) found it such a comfort to know how much care and love went into the weaving of his casket. And it was a truly special time that we spent with you in Clayton, in your peaceful barn workshop when you taught us how to weave and helped us to work on the casket with you. What a wonderful thing to be able to weave our love into his final resting place. In the chapel of rest and at the funeral, in the lovely green willow, Dad was beautiful. He would have highly approved! Thank you.

The coffin Jake made for my father’s funeral was utterly beautiful - like a work of art. And the service I received was excellent. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Jake.

Jake made the most beautiful calico-lined green willow wicker coffin for my mum's funeral up in a tiny village near Bakewell, Derbyshire. It perfectly reflected my mum's love of nature and humanist leanings. My dad, who is Muslim, wants the same wicker coffin made for his funeral, so I hope Sussex Willow Coffins is still going strong in many years' time. Jake also made a lovely wicker casket to hold mum's ashes, which we interred last week. Alison, Brighton, E Sussex

Jake created a beautiful coffin for my husband's funeral. We discussed requirements over the phone and Jake was helpful and practical, and the coffin was exactly what I wanted, and supplied in good time to the funeral director. At the end of the funeral service all of those attending were invited to place a flower into the weave of the coffin, which people were glad to do, to decorate it for burial, and it looked beautiful. Thank you.

When my 98 yr old Mum passed away in May this year I wanted her coffin to be as special and individual as she was. I started to google wicker coffins and was amazed at their availability. Living near Petersfield, Hampshire I was delighted to see Sussex Willow Coffins website and after speaking to Jake just knew that this was the perfect solution. From first contact to delivery a few days later the whole process and service was excellent and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

Jake made the coffin for my dad, and I don't think I realised before the day how important it would be to me to know that my dad was buried in something as beautiful as Jake's work. It's hard to know what is important in these scenarios, but there is something continually reassuring about knowing how much care went into his coffin, that it was made specially for him, and to know that the person who made it is so kind and gentle. Seeing the beauty and attention to detail in the coffin really did make everyone at the funeral feel like he was being buried with love. Thank you Jake, I would recommend your work to anyone.

Jake was really helpful, caring and knowledgeable in a time when we needed assistance. He was able to hand build a bespoke coffin for our loved family member. Jake also liaised with the funeral directors to make sure everything was on time etc. We have since commissioned a ashes casket in the same willow design as the original coffin and again Jake was most accommodating. Thank you for making a difficult time easier.

My dad was being buried in Wales, but I was unable to find a willow coffin maker anywhere near who was available. As a last resort I looked up Willow Coffins in Sussex, where I live, and found Jake. He was able to create a coffin within our timescale, and get it delivered to our funeral director in Wales with no problem. Unfortunately I didn't have an opportunity to visit Jake at his work place, so instead chose a design from photos on his website. Although I had every confidence he would do a great job, when we saw Dad's coffin on the day it surpassed all expectations. It was a work of art, and absolutely perfect for my dad who loved all things woody and rustic. The family all gathered round and took a moment to admire Jake's workmanship, the details were lovely, from the lettering on the wooden nameplate to the braided loops holding the hazel rods. Our funeral director said she has never seen a more beautiful coffin, and we all concurred. Thank you so much Jake, I couldn't recommend you more highly.

Having been let down by another coffin supplier, i contacted Sussex Willow Coffins andJake stepped in to help us out, he had a beautiful wicker casket made and delivered within 4 days which included the weekend! The craftsmanship was exceptional, helping make my dad's funeral special although one of the saddest days of my life, the customer service we received from first contact through to delivery was truly excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Jake and his team to anyone who requires an expert in eco friendly coffin. Thank you Jake.