Bespoke and eco coffin maker

Independent funeral directors, green and natural burial providers, and families arranging funerals themselves.

You sell each coffin at a fixed price, with extra for custom finishes, handles, linings and personalisation. Regular trade orders from a few funeral directors give steadier income.

• Woodworking or craft making
• Patience and sensitivity with bereaved customers
• Reliable delivery to tight deadlines

• Check the requirements of crematoria and burial grounds for materials, sizes and fittings before you design products
• Product liability and public liability insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire
• Whether your workshop needs permission for business use, and your local council's rules on noise and dust
• Dust extraction, fire safety and safe use of machinery
• Orders are often urgent, so plan how you will handle deadlines and quiet spells

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your workshop, tools, materials and the range of designs you offer. These are estimates, so cost up machinery, dust extraction and insurance before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many funeral directors and families you supply and the type of coffins you make. Orders are often urgent, so plan for deadlines and quieter spells.

Things to check: the requirements of crematoria and burial grounds for materials, sizes and fittings, whether your workshop needs permission for business use, council rules on noise and dust, and product liability and public liability insurance.