Renaissance Plaque: Newman Brothers Coffin Works

Newman Brothers Coffin Works is a truly unique industrial heritage site. This Grade II* listed building is a remarkable survivor, offering an unparalleled glimpse into a very specific and once thriving trade.

The Newman Brothers Story
The firm of Newman Brothers was established in 1882 by Alfred and Edwin Newman, initially as brass founders. However, by 1894, they had moved into their purpose-built factory on Fleet Street and specialised in the production of high-quality coffin furniture – the ornate handles, breastplates, crucifixes, and other decorative ornaments that adorned coffins. They also produced the “soft goods” for coffins, including shrouds and robes, effectively becoming a one-stop shop for undertakers, providing everything except the coffin itself.

Fame and fortune
At its peak, Newman Brothers’ exquisite coffin fittings were renowned globally and used in the funerals of prominent figures such as Joseph Chamberlain, Sir Winston Churchill, and even members of the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The factory was a busy place, employing around 100 people in the mid-20th century, with products being exported worldwide.

The end of an era
However, as the 20th century progressed, societal attitudes towards funerals changed, and the demand for elaborate metal coffin fittings declined, especially with the rise in cremations and the introduction of cheaper, plastic alternatives. The company, reluctant to modernise its traditional manufacturing processes, eventually ceased trading in 1998, after over a century in business.

A perfect time capsule
What makes Newman Brothers Coffin Works so special is that when it closed its doors, it was left almost untouched. The machinery, stock, tools, and even a teapot on the stove remained as if the workers had just left for a tea break. Recognising its immense historical value, a campaign by the Birmingham Conservation Trust began in 1999 to save the factory and its contents. After over a decade of dedicated fundraising and meticulous restoration, the Newman Brothers Coffin Works reopened as a museum in 2014. Visitors can now step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a working Victorian factory, preserved almost exactly as it was, providing a poignant and insightful look into Birmingham’s industrial and social history.