Bellacouche was founded by Yuli Somme in 2004, inspired by a personal experience of bereavement and a desire to offer a gentler, more meaningful alternative to the conventional coffin. Drawing from the 17th-century Burial in Wool Act and the comforting, sustainable qualities of wool, she created the Leafcocoon—a felted wool shroud with an integrated wooden bier.

The business has been structured as a one-person operation but has been refined over the past five years with the help of a business consultant, web and brand designer, so that it can be easily transferred to other hands. Bellacouche is poised to scale in a thriving market that values ecological, heritage-based products and is ready for a new team with skills in craft and design, administration, bookkeeping and marketing.

A 2023 survey found that 66% of UK consumers value eco-friendly coffin options. In recent years, there has been significant growth in natural burial provisions and a wave of progressive funeral businesses that focus on supporting the bereaved in a more customer-centred way. Bellacouche aligns with this cultural shift, offering products that are environmentally sound, emotionally resonant, and practical.

Product Overview

The Leafcocoon is a handmade wool felt burial or cremation shroud designed with the benefits of a coffin-free funeral. Each is made from organically certified British wool with a built-in wooden bier and hazel toggles, pleating the felt into a cocoon shape.

Other products include:

• Baby/Child Cocoon


• Shroud Cover Decorating Kit


• Poppy Seed Urn (for ashes)


• Pet Shrouds


Business Strengths

• 21 years of operation with strong B2B and direct customer relationships


• Recognised brand rooted in sustainability, heritage, and craftsmanship


• Unique, scalable products aligned with cultural trends toward natural burial


• In-house production with scope for training and team expansion


• Business is relocatable


• Opportunities to collaborate with other makers.

Bellacouche is ready to grow, fulfilling an environmentally sound alternative that brings families assuredness and comfort at a very sensitive time. Recent sales have significantly increased without a marketing plan, just based on a sole trader concern.

There is an existing and growing market in alternatives, such as willow, sea grass and bamboo coffins, most of which are manufactured in the far east where provenance and shipping are problematic and carry a higher carbon footprint than coffins made closer to home.

Valuation

Valuation in the region of £76,000 to £80,000 includes all existing material and product stock at time of purchase, all equipment and appropriate furnishings, intellectual property and marketing materials, patterns etc., training and up to 10 week hand-over period.

If you feel called to carry this beautiful work forward, I would love to hear from you.