Replies

1. 
   Lar55 | Apr 08, 2003 07:41am | #1

   Frank,

   I was in a Woodcraft store last week and noticed a book on how to make coffins in their book section.  I remember seeing the book and was a bit surprised since it's a job you don't hear much about. Unfortunately I don't recall the name of the book.

   http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/assets/html/homepage.asp

   Good Luck with the project,

   Lar

2. 
   wrick2003 | Apr 08, 2003 02:57pm | #2

   it is called " Do -it -Yourself Coffins  for Pets and People"  by Dale Power.

   Schiffer Publications    email: [email protected] oe tel 610.593.1777

   good luck     rg

3. 
   JamesC67 | Apr 08, 2003 05:31pm | #3

   Frank,

   I don't know if they do anymore or not but Rockler used to sell the hardware and the plans for both human and animal.

    Good Luck

    JIM

4. 
   MARK16798 | Apr 08, 2003 10:01pm | #4

   "Will most funeral homes allow you to provide your own coffin?"

   I think it'll vary according to State law.  For example, Tennessee law requires you to be a licensed funeral director before you're able to sell coffins - this doesn't explicitely prohibit someone from building and then using their own, but it's intended (and implemented!) to make sure the funeral home makes $$ off the coffin as well as the service.  (There was a big stink about this law a couple years ago, but as far as I know it's still on the books).

   I guess my answer is "I don't know, but don't assume they will - check first."

5. 
   booch | Apr 09, 2003 12:33am | #5

   Prices are dear for the finished product. I had to buy one for my Father when he passed away. It is hard to remember details but a nicely detailed domed oak coffin pushed 5000. It was a beautiful piece and was a more pleasant item to concentrate on rather than the other factors.

   This was "store bought" so there was no consideration for the codes that afflict even the dead. I can't imagine that there would be much problem due to the fact that internment is generally finalized by a concrete vault placed in the ground. I might call those guys that make those vaults in order to make sure you don't make a display piece that needs to be trimmed in order to fit the vault.

   Hope this is a reasonable passage for all involved.

   Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
6. 
   Lilshaver | Apr 09, 2003 04:33am | #6

   I don't know about any laws or funeral home requirements. I would suspect they would vary from state to state and even city to city. I built a coffin once and there wasn't any problem. It was for a cremation so that may make a difference.

   The coffin that I was asked to make didn't conform to any set standard. Many of the design parameters were, in fact, set by my friend who knew he was dying. We are both artists, he being my first teacher of sculpture. To say the least, the coffin was unconventional.

   I encourage you to make something that is both meaningful to you and to your friend, or if not a friend, then your client. I suspect that you are being asked to do this because they know you will do something special. So don't simply make something that they might find anywhere. Treat this project as you would any other custom design/fabrication job. Make it special for those involved.

   Making the coffin for my friend turned out to be one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I would not hesitate to do it again. And I would encourage others to do the same.