The Coffins Work Museum, Birmingham

The Coffin Works, Birmingham , Birmingham Overview

The Coffin Works is a unique museum in Birmingham displaying different coffins, how they are made and stories of funeral stories of famous people in history. It exhibits a collection of coffin furniture and relevant artefacts like nameplates, handles, ornaments, crucifixes, funerary gowns, coffin cushions and linings. The place only allows guided tours, so, educational groups from schools/ college, tourist groups and families can book a day out at the Coffin Works for a unique experience.

The Coffin Works Museum is a century-old factory that made coffin furniture and was the last such factory in the city. It was established and listed as the Newman Brothers Coffin Furniture Factory (owned by two brothers, the Newman Brothers). The Coffin Works was operational for a little over a century and was shut down in the late-20th century as the manufacturing industry suffered great losses. Later, the factory building was transformed into a museum for visitors to explore the industrial and social history of coffin making.

How to Reach The Coffins Work Museum

The Coffin Works is located about 1.5 miles to the east of the city centre. It is accessible via Corporation Street - A 38 - A 4400 - Queensway - B 4135/ Sand Pits - Newhall Hill - Graham Street - Lionel Street - Fleet Street. Public transport is easily available from any part of the city to reach the attraction. Several bus lines are located near Fleet Street. Travellers can board a bus heading to Fleet Street or take a taxi directly to The Coffin Works building.

History of The Coffins Work

The Coffin Works was founded in 1882 as a brass foundry company by two brothers, Edwin and Alfred Newman. A few years later, the company was moved to its current location and listed as a Coffin furniture manufacturing factory. The Newman brothers specialised in manufacturing brass furniture used in coffins, acquiring a profitable position in the funerary industry back in the time. In 1895, after Edwin decided to pull his name off the business, the factory was handled by Alfred and later by his sons, George and Horace.

After the passing of both the sons, the factory was owned by the Doggart family and later, by the Whittington family. The last owner was Joyce Green. She continued running the factory until 1998, by which time the factory experienced great losses. With no prospects for manufacturing coffin furniture, Joyce Green decided to shut the factory but also insisted that the building be converted into a heritage building instead of redeveloping it. Thus, in 2001, The Coffin Works Museum was established.