About us
JC Atkinson is the largest independent manufacturer of coffins and caskets to the UK funeral market; from our purpose built facility we manufacture and distribute over 60,000 coffins a year. We have a long heritage of producing beautifully crafted coffins from high quality materials.
As well as producing more traditional style coffins we have embraced the contemporary with our Reflections Picture Coffin range and Natural Legacy Wool Coffins as well as bamboo, wicker, seagrass and other alternative coffin ranges.
Our environment focus
It’s not just the end-product that is important to us; it’s how we get there. We have introduced sound environmental approaches to all aspects of production, including setting up the Tree Tribute initiative in 1995 - a pledge to plant a tree for every solid coffin sold. We have also obtained and retained the Carbon Trust Standard which is our commitment to reducing carbon emissions. And, on the way we’ve picked up the British Chambers of Commerce National Green Award, Sunday Times Best Green Company 2008 and the North East Business Award for Corporate Social Responsibility 2008.
Our History
JC Atkinson was founded in 1936 and has traded continuously for 75 years. We employ over 80 people in the UK, specialising in caskets and coffins that are environmentally friendly.
In 2004, we moved from our former site in Sunderland to a purpose built 38,000sq ft premises in Washington. The new factory has been a key factor in our approach to environmentally responsible production.
In the same year we began to produce our first picture coffins and in 2006 we launched our first Reflections range. Since then we have continued to develop the designs, the services we offer and the manufacturing process itself.
Timeline
1936
- Company founded in 1936 by John Clifford Atkinson
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1960
- Started production of ready made coffins
- Alan Atkinson takes over from John Clifford Atkinson
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1990
- Julian Atkinson takes over from Alan Atkinson
- New purpose built production facility opened
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2000
- Gained FSC accreditation 2000
- Moved to new purpose built factory
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2010
- Marketing Department expanded
- Greener Goodbyes launched in 2010
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