Australia once rode on the sheep's back, but Britain may be buried on it.
A UK company is producing environmentally friendly woollen coffins, which have received the backing of Prince Charles, The Daily Mail reports.
Each coffin is made of thick felt from British fleeces spread over a recycled cardboard frame, with cotton and polythene liners and jute edging and handles.
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The box is biodegradable, suitable for burials and cremations, and costs between STG600 and STG700 ($A1010 and $A1180).
Hainsworth, a 225-year-old family-run textile mill in Leeds, has sold about 500 of the low-carbon-footprint coffins in dark brown and natural white since last June.
Prince Charles visited the farm last year and was impressed by the coffins.
"These are the first woollen coffins in the world," company spokeswoman Victoria Mellor said.
"British wool often goes into making carpets, but due to the problems in the housing market there has been less demand and farmers have suffered.
"Prince Charles is eager to do anything to help them."
It is believed the Prince of Wales is keen to show off the coffins at his Clarence House home as part of his Garden Party to Make a Difference pro-sustainability campaign.
"He was impressed and said it looked very interesting," director Rachel Hainsworth said.
"He's coming to see us on Friday and we'll definitely ask whether he wants to choose one for himself."
