Coffins - Not just for Halloween

Posted by Kelly Smith Oct 4, 2007

Since Halloween is rapidly approaching, I was thinking about writing a DIY article on building something spooky. Something like one of those caskets festooned with cobwebs that a creepy looking person rises out of to scare the britches off unsuspecting trick or treaters.

So, I started doing research on the fine art of casket, or coffin, building. Surprisingly, this is pretty hot industry. Lots of folks over the years have been put off by the high price of a fancy box that's just going to be buried anyway. Their solution? They build their own. It's the ultimate project for a wood worker; imagine, displaying your masterpiece to the wonder of those who have come to pay their final tribute to you.

What Funeral Homes Don't Want You to Know

Not surprisingly, funeral homes frown on this, and in fact lobby aggressively against it! According to law.bepress.com, “In approximately ten states, state law permits retail casket sales only through a vendor who has a funeral director’s license or operates a physical funeral establishment.” They go on to say that funeral homes typically mark up casket prices 300 to 400 percent! That's not in my Halloween budget!

The Art of the Creative Casket

That kind of profit is not just the ultimate insult. It's downright predatory. But it's a great reason for a DIYer to build his/her own casket. After all, that legislation refers to casket sales, not casket use. Extensive carpentry skills are not required; just the basics; and it makes for a great opportunity to reflect the life and personality of the not-yet-deceased.

I'm thinking of making mine to look like a kayak. Or a running shoe. Oh well, I've got time to decide.