

Nestled under the beautiful Malvern hills
The Vowles team feel extremely proud to have been making our coffins and caskets for well over 80 years, nestled under the beautiful Malvern Hills.
It is this same sense of pride combined with our eagerness to please that runs through everything we make and everything we do here.
L T & R Vowles
Established in 1937
We are one of the oldest and most well known of all coffin manufacturers in the United Kingdom.
We Fully Understand
The critical importance of how we serve the funeral community, and the families they support, at such a deeply distressing time.
Providing Essentials Around the UK
We offer one of the widest ranges of coffins, caskets, sets, mouldings, fitting and interiors.
Attention to Detail
We pay meticulous attention to every aspect of construction, joinery and finishing - flawlessly executed and with the utmost attention to detail.
Customer Satisfaction
We provide exceptional service, our coffins exceed expectations through customer feedback and continuously striving to improve the quality of your products.
Flexible Delivery Options
Whilst our usual factory turn around is 5-7 working days we can work with you in the case of emergencies.
Team
The dedicated team at L T & R Vowles fully understand the critical importance of how they serve the funeral community, and the families that they support, at such a deeply distressing time.
Chris Barker
Lesley Branagh
Cara Beattie
Robert Malcharek
Widely recognised as one of the major suppliers to the funeral profession
With considerable knowledge and expertise of the fine hardwood timbers and veneers used in traditional coffins and caskets along with alternative ecological, contemporary, and bespoke coffins. Our years of experience working in this sector enable us to offer Funeral Directors and the families and communities they serve invaluable choices when it comes to choosing a coffin for their loved one. This is one of the hardest decisions at an extremely sad and difficult time and we are here to help in any way we can.
Years of Experience
Established in 1937 in Bristol Road, Gloucester. The company then moved out to a site at Ashleworth early in 1939, where it stayed until 1963, when it moved to its current location at Longdon Heath near Upton-upon-Severn.
Acres of Land On Site
The site extends over 4 acres with approximately 50% being under complete cover for production and warehousing purposes and with lots of space for further expansion.
Frequency Asked Questions
FAQs in respect of coffin orders and coffin manufacturing.
Is there a charge for delivery?
Usually factored in the price.
Is there a charge for special deliveries?
To be discussed at point of order.
Do you offer an express service?
On certain items this can be arranged, and we will always aim to meet your needs.
How long does it take for stock orders?
4-7 working days usually but this can increase at peak times.
Do you have a minimum stock order?
In the case of coffins, usually 4-6 coffins.
Do you use couriers?
Only on certain items suited to a courier service.
When can I expect my delivery to arrive?
We can estimate timings at point of order and always notify customers the day before with a confirmed ETA.
My order has arrived and it’s damaged/faulty, what can I do?
L T & R Vowles History

Where It All Began
The Vowles story begins in Bristol Road Gloucester near to the docks with a sawmill converting a whole variety of timber logs from the UK and abroad.

The Move to Ashleworth
The business moved out to neighbouring Ashleworth where extensive investments were made to establish a much more modern facility including sawmills,
joinery/wood shop and timber drying yard.

The Early Years
During the early years the sawmill was mainly working for the war effort producing large volumes of timber for all sorts of applications for the Ministry of Defence.

New Markets Explored
At the end of hostilities, things soon got back to normal and new markets were being explored, with a production line for sawing, drying and the machining of coffin boards established.

The Tower of London
During this time L T & R Vowles Ltd was tasked with locating, felling, sawing and machining two oak beams for the Tower of London. The main problem was the location of trees of a suitable size, as it was necessary to find two that measured approximately 26 in. in quarter girth at a height of 35 ft.

New Timbers
The timber for the funeral trade of this era was predominantly English Elm with some English Oak for best work. By the late 1950’s various new species of timber were being used in the funeral industry including Obeche, Agba, Japanese Oak and Elm.

Changes in the Market
Further change was only just around the corner and the early 1960’s saw the advent of veneered coffin sets along with some ready-made coffins being produced and marketed.

Growing and Moving
The speed of our growth forced another move, this time to a 4-acre site at Longdon Heath, near Upton-upon-Severn. Having run out of room at Ashleworth the new site was chosen to future proof the expansion of the company into the growing sector of assembled and finished coffins ready for the discerning funeral home to use.

Joining the Jukes Group
Stewart Jukes acquired L T & R Vowles Limited, one of the oldest and most well-known of all coffin manufacturers in the UK, having been active in the Timber and Funeral Industry for over 85 years.

Chris Barker Joins L T & R Vowles
Coming on board as General Manager for L T & R Vowles in 2023, following the retirement of Richard Mattey. Chris considers his priority is to work closely with Funeral Directors ensuring the standards and needs of the families in their care are met fully and completely at what is a most sad and difficult time.

60 Years Celebration
Celebrating 60 years on this site, from where we have been selling our extensive range of coffins and caskets along with hardwood sets, ashes caskets, crosses and plot markers, coffin furniture and soft goods and more recently our range of mortuary products. We have delivery routes throughout central southern England to just above the M62 corridor.

New Brand, New Brochure, New Website & New Uniforms
Our new brand, new brochure, new website and new uniforms makes us feel even prouder still.

Looking to the Future
Only 50% of the site is undercover for both production and warehousing leaving lots of space for further expansion and storage and with over 85 years of experience and expertise L T & R Vowles Ltd with its comprehensive range of products can provide the modern funeral director with what he wants, when they want it.
Environment
All our coffins are suitable for cremation and burial purposes. Timbers and timber products used in our manufacturing processes are carefully sourced from managed, sustainable resources where management and replanting are government supervised.
Wherever we can, timber waste is re-used, and chemicals used in our wood finishes are processed to extract the base chemicals for use in the paint industry. We only use lacquers, wood finishes and application methods that fully comply with the latest regulatory requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
We strive to re-use packaging and keep our own to a minimum. The Jukes Group believes that the environment is important to us all and with conscientious manufacturing practices, we can ensure a cleaner, safer world for generations to follow.