Am I the only guy out there who wants to build his own coffin?
Watching the Pope’s funeral yesterday, who didn’t admire that simple cypress box with those dovetail joints and think, “I’d like to make something like that?”
Where can I get the plans and details for making and finishing such a project? It be a great article for both Fine Woodworking (cabinet and dovetailing skills) and Fine Homebuilding (the home where you’re going to rest the longest). Once Taunton got past the initial morbidity of the subject, I’d bet this article would be a Taunton classic.
My wife thinks I’m nuts, but I can’t be alone on this one.
Replies
And I thought it was just me. I had thought of doing it when I was in college, but not having a permanent home made it seem like a bad idea. Didn't think the parents would want to store my coffin for me. Now it seems kinda morbid, but still a good project to take on. It would end all the discussions about what the deceased "really wanted". I have thought of making it double as a Murphy bed, or coffe table. Can't just have a coffin sitting around the living room. " Oh that? That's for later. Sure go ahead, try it on..."
Andy
"It seemed like a good idea at the time"
>> I have thought of making it double as a Murphy bed, or coffee table.Book case.
That could work. entertainment center for the stereo stuffPantry cabinet for the kitchen.All good things to have for the afterlifeAndy"It seemed like a good idea at the time"
You can buy copies of Egyptian Sarcophagus here for use as a book case/cd case. Tacky, but it is a coffin in use.
To All ,
In the last 25 years or so , lots of folks have suggested to me , "you could build coffins !" I have actually had a handful of phone inquiries asking if I built coffins . About a year ago a fellow called and asked if could build him a coffin , I decided to ask him a few questions to see if it was a joke or what . First I asked him when did he need it , he said the Dr. said within about 6 months , now I was listening but I let him know I could not help him . He said they wanted $5,000 for a cheap coffin . He then said he had heard of people wanting to buried in their cars , he said maybe it may be a financial thing as opposed to a sentimental thing , because he said he has bought many cars for less then $5,000 . For me maybe it is morbid or profiting from death , I don't know , but I don't want to do it .
dusty
I've seen someplace that started selling plans and supplies for building coffins. I'm not positive, but it might have been Rockler.
Waddaya mean it wont fit through the door?
Lee Valley carries some hardware.
Steve
I also thought the dovetails were very beautiful, and the simplicity of the design, it was a beautiful piece, I wonder if they built it after he died or did they have one ready just in case.
I'm not sure if I want to make my own tho....
R13
It would seem to me that any type of world leader or dignitary would have a coffin ready for them from the time they come into power. While it may seem morbid I am sure it is one of those things that are planned for in the "worst case scenario" file. It is all part of the behind the scenes planning many people don't think much about. If you stop to thnk of how much effort goes into any type of state funeral, Ronald Reagan comes quickly to mind, I would have to believe that the planning is done ahead of time and is put into action as and when needed. The last thing I would want to see is an ineffectual leader just propped up in the corner waiting for disposal. All too often they don't even need to be dead.Andy"It seemed like a good idea at the time"
I don't know if they offer to sell plans for their caskets, but here's an independent manufacturer of caskets and urns: http://www.trappistcaskets.com/index.html.
Maybe you could talk them into starting a school for craftsmen who want to learn this end (no pun intended) of the trade.
Griff
Your wife's right.
Lee
I saw a show recently about a coffin builder. I don't remember where he was from, maybe South America. He built novelty coffins in any shape or configuration the customer wanted. He was building elephants, crocodiles, cars, airplanes, you name it. People came to him from all over the world and he was busy. Folks were dying to get his work.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I have been thinking of this for years especially since State laws have relaxed to allow people to oick out caskets that dont represent the destruction of the rain forests and all available walnut stands. Awhile ago Rockler had all the hardware you needed to make a casket for a human as well as an animal. I dont see that in the issues now. Maybe the Pope has opened up a dormant market.I can see it now " Wicked Decent Caskets..... I am dying to serve you". I have a good friend who is a formaldyhyde pumper............. maybe Ill ask him if he knows anyone who needs a 'dead box"
Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
I made one outa pine and 10 penny nails for my mother-in-law. Still not occupied tho.
Go to the Rcokler site and enter casket in the search box. Plans and hardware.
Meyermeister,
Thought I would share with you about a coffin I built.
It was for a niece who died at 2 days old. Her parents wanted a nice little funeral for her but were shocked when they were told by the local funeral home that it would cost $$$$, nearly as much as an adult's.
They called me that night and asked would I build a casket for their daughter. I was not sure whether I wanted to or not. They called back an hour later and just about begged, so I relented and said ok.
Long story short, I started that night and thru the next day and had it made in about 20 hrs. Build of oak and cypress and my wife made the little pink pillow for the inside.
Took it to the FH and we buried her the next morning. FH asked if I wanted to build some for them. Not no but h### no I told them. I hadn't got that many tears to shed.
Jimmy
as always I wish you enough
Edited 4/11/2005 8:18 am ET by Jimmy
Edited 4/11/2005 8:19 am ET by Jimmy
That is a moving story. I'm sure the final finish included some salty discharge from your eyes, but this final handiwork and gift of love is some how more life and memory affirming than the antiseptic way death is handled in the 21st century.
This is what you want:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764303376/qid=1113222162/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-4573103-1751901?v=glance&s=books
Thanks, BenM. I did check that out originally but the reader reviews really give it a big thumbs down. My bet is the book would not be up to the standards set my Fine Woodworking Magazine.
Meyermeister,
There was an article a few years ago about a group of Monks that made coffins. I cannot remember which mag....maybe Popular Woodworking...
Thank you, a lot, for the belly laughs. I have to say, though, you know you're addicted to woodworking when you admire the dovetails on the Pope's coffin, and I did! That said, I was smart enough not to mention it to my wife...
Thanks again,
Mitch
"I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."
Sadly, I did notice the dovetails. Also sadly, someone beat me to the joke about "Folks were dying to get his work."
Legend (poetry anyway) has it that when the Brits sentenced Irish rebels to death they put the coffin in his cell and let his friends come and spend an evening with him, playing cards on the "table". So, if you're Irish, I'd suggest a card table. Although, unless you're seriously overweight, the dimensions may make cheating a bit too easy.
My wife noticed the dovetails and told me about them before I even saw the news. No she's not a woodworker, just married to one.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking
The more things change ...
We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized. I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.
Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC
Take a look at the caskets at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana: http://www.abbeycaskets.com/ They are beautiful and the prices are very reasonable.
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