JC Atkinson

Why Oakland Veneered Coffins?

Oak veneer is sourced from Forest Stewardship Council certified European forests. Certification guarantees the sources are from a sustainable well managed source. The oak tree is selected, felled and boiled in water to soften the timber. The tree is then placed in a large ‘bacon slicer’ machine which slices the oak into 3mm thick veneer slices for use on the coffins. Every slice differs according to the position of the cut on the tree trunk. Many effects on the veneer are natural and depending on individual taste, either enhances or detracts from its appearance and the overall effect created for the coffins. The slices are trimmed and graded for conformity. These slices are then matched and stitched together to form the veneer sheet for the coffin. The oak is then ready to be bonded to chipboard or medium density fibre board.

Other veneers we use

We do not use elm or sapele veneers as we can not 100% guarantee these come from a sustainable source. In order to continue to offer these types of veneers with our coffins, we use a manufactured veneer, which is processed to closely mimic the characteristics of these woods.

Elm Style Veneer

Forest Stewardship Council certified, this veneer is manufactured from real wood and manipulated to mimic real elm wood veneer for our coffins.

Mahogany Style Veneer

Forest Stewardship Council certified, this veneer is manufactured from real wood and manipulated to mimic real mahogany veneer for our coffins.

Pippy Oak

Forest Stewardship Council certified, this is a premium cut of oak where many knots are concentrated, creating an interesting and wild grain structure. Used on a fine coffin surface, this makes a great alternative to the standard oak.

Golden Maple

Not Forest Stewardship Council certified, but supplied from a proven source. Like the above, the clusters of knotty veneer are joined to make a more wild grain structure on the coffin.