Wicker and Willow Caskets: Costs, Burial and Cremation Rules

A wicker or willow casket is a hand-woven container made from plant fibers, most often willow, bamboo or seagrass. They are popular for natural burial and some cremations because they are made of natural materials. One large online retailer listed woven caskets from $2,399 in September 2026, compared with pine boxes from $1,199.

Before you buy, check two things: whether your cemetery or crematory will accept the casket, and whether it is truly made from natural fibers.

What are wicker and willow caskets made of?

Wicker is a weaving method, not a material. A woven casket is usually one of these:

• Willow: flexible shoots woven into a basket-like shell. Makers in the UK, where woven willow coffins have a long tradition, describe willow as renewable and hand-woven, for example Somerset Willow Coffins.
• Bamboo: a grass woven or laminated into a container, with a more uniform look.
• Seagrass: often used alongside willow for softer texture and color.

Some online sellers import woven caskets. Titan Casket, for instance, lists bamboo caskets described as handcrafted in Bangladesh, along with willow and seagrass models described as Fair Trade certified. Woven shapes can differ from the rectangular box you may expect, so ask for photos and the exact dimensions.

How much does a wicker or willow casket cost?

Prices vary by maker, material and shipping. A snapshot from one large online seller in September 2026:

Funeral homes may charge more or less for similar caskets, and outside sellers differ from each other. The funeral home must show you its written casket price list before it shows you the actual caskets, so ask for it and compare. The guide to casket prices explained covers the wider price picture.

Are wicker caskets allowed for natural burial?

Usually yes. The Green Burial Council (GBC) says a green burial places the body in a biodegradable container with no burial vault. GBC-certified cemeteries use only products made of natural and biodegradable materials. The council also certifies products whose finishes, adhesives and dyes do not release toxic byproducts in the ground.

A woven casket made of plant fibers fits that idea, but individual cemeteries set their own rules. Ask the cemetery what containers it accepts, and whether it wants proof of the casket's materials. Our guides to natural burial grounds, green burial and the Green Burial Council cover how to find a site.

Can you use a wicker casket in a regular cemetery?

Often, but the casket does not change the cemetery's rules. Federal law does not require a burial vault, and in most areas state or local law does not either. The FTC notes that many cemeteries require an outer burial container so the grave does not sink. A woven casket in a conventional cemetery may therefore still need a vault, which reduces the environmental benefit.

Can a wicker or willow casket be cremated?

Often, because it is combustible, but the crematory decides. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) says a cremation container must be completely enclosed, rigid, leak resistant and combustible, and that metal caskets are not accepted. A woven casket may not meet a crematory's requirements if it is not sturdy enough for handling, or if it has metal parts.

Titan Casket lists willow, bamboo and seagrass among its cremation casket materials, with minimal metal hardware. Whatever the seller says, ask the crematory directly:

1. Do you accept a woven casket of this type?
2. Does it need a solid base or any changes?
3. Is there a size or weight limit?

Keep the answer in writing. No law requires a casket for cremation, and funeral homes must offer alternative containers such as cardboard or unfinished wood, which are often cheaper. See cardboard caskets.

How strong is a woven casket, and what size do you need?

Woven caskets can carry a person, but do not rely on general claims. Ask the seller for a stated weight capacity and how it was determined, and ask the funeral home how many people will carry it. Woven shapes can taper, so the interior is not always what the outside suggests, and handles should be part of the casket's structure, not only attached to the surface.

For a larger or taller person, ask the maker whether wider or longer sizes are available. Our casket sizing guide explains measurements, and the oversized casket guide covers wider options.

How to avoid plastic "wicker"

Some products described as wicker are made of plastic resin, sold as all-weather furniture fiber. Plastic does not biodegrade, so it does not suit natural burial, and it may not be safe to cremate. Ask the seller in writing what the casket is made of, including the frame, lining and glue, and whether the lining is natural cotton or linen. GBC certifies only products made of plant-derived, natural, animal or unfired earthen materials, so a GBC-certified product is a clear signal.

Buying one from outside the funeral home

The FTC says a funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket you bought elsewhere or charge you a fee to do it. The funeral home can still charge its basic services fee. Handmade and imported caskets can take days to arrive, so ask for the delivery date and confirm it with the funeral home before you order. See buying a casket online.

What to do next

1. Ask the cemetery or crematory whether it will accept a woven casket.
2. Ask the seller what the casket is made of and its stated weight capacity and dimensions.
3. Get the funeral home's casket price list and compare it with outside sellers.
4. Confirm delivery dates in writing with the seller and the funeral home.