Leaving this world, in style

[awa355]

Here's a thread about an unusual topic.

I was at a rural property a couple of days ago, it's owned by an elderly lady who has done a fantastic job of building her home nestled in the forest of Pirongia mountain. In her garage was a home made coffin standing up on end and fitted with shelves holding pot plants and knick knacks.

I joked about the coffin and she told me that it is what she will be buried in when she goes. Thought she was joking, but she's not. It is made of 8 x 1's, painted and has fixed wooden handles. Looks fairly basic but thinking about it, probably quite practical. If she gets buried, it would out last the modern made caskets, ( a sexton said that modern caskets soon collapse when they get wet ), and if being cremated, it would make more sense than burning up a $3-4000 veneer covered MDF box.

I cant see why a homemade coffin couldn't be used. Dont know if there are any regulations governing what can be used. In the 1800s it was not unusuall for poor people to be wrapped in a canvas sheet and buried without a coffin.

Has anyone known of a person buried in their own hand built casket?

[unstuck]

My dad wants me to make ones for him and mum, but Im not to keen. Just seems a little strange to me. You can get buried in just about anything these days, they even sell cardboard coffins that you can paint stuff on yourself.

[awa355]

I guess for some, there would be a stigma attached to having a homemade coffin. Many see a funeral as being a showpiece at the end of someones life.

I could build one for me, ( not likely tho ), but I wouldn't bury my wife in a DIY box. That would seem disrespectful to her.

[unstuck]

I guess for some, there would be a stigma attached to having a homemade coffin. Many see a funeral as being a showpiece at the end of someones life.

I could build one for me, ( not likely tho ), but I wouldn't bury my wife in a DIY box. That would seem disrespectful to her.

Thats sort of how I see it too, but dad reckons he would be proud to be in something that I made myself. I have made some really nice furniture in the past, but a coffin for my folks........

[Grumph]

I guess for some, there would be a stigma attached to having a homemade coffin. Many see a funeral as being a showpiece at the end of someones life.

I could build one for me, ( not likely tho ), but I wouldn't bury my wife in a DIY box. That would seem disrespectful to her.

I'll admit to knowing a guy who buried his in a 44gal drum......

[Kickaha]

I'll admit to knowing a guy who buried his in a 44gal drum......

I think he got caught though

[Moi]

That's sort of how I see it too, but dad reckons he would be proud to be in something that I made myself. I have made some really nice furniture in the past, but a coffin for my folks...

Could it not be seen as your last act of physical love? - a way of showing you still and always will love them and protect them...

[Goblin]

Just down the road from where I live there's a thing called the Coffin Club. It's really popular! Heaps of old people making their own coffins and painting them in bright colours. Been meaning to pop in when I see them there and ask some questions. I think it's a great idea!

[tigertim20]

I guess for some, there would be a stigma attached to having a homemade coffin. Many see a funeral as being a showpiece at the end of someones life.

I could build one for me, ( not likely tho ), but I wouldn't bury my wife in a DIY box. That would seem disrespectful to her.

the presence of stigma probably depends on your values. I think of funerals as a celebration of ones life, experiences, and recognition of their beleifs and acheivements. If someone was into that kind of thing, it would be fitting to be buried in something they made themseleves, going out the way the lived, by being practical, hard working and building, creating, making solutions to suit their own needs.

I have a friend who would like to be cremated, the ashes kept in a sealed motorcycle tank. Not sure if they want the tank buried or kept by family, but I thought that was a really neat idea, given who the person is.

Given that you can spread your ahes virtually anywhere you want (with appropriate consent - several rugby greats had their ashes spread over the field at Carisbrook) I dont see why there would be a ban on being buried in a home made coffin, or some other contraption in you so desire.

[Naki Rat]

A solo dad in Eltham has raised headlines in the last while about his low cost coffin business. Low cost, minimal resources and the ability for customers to personalise them are some of his selling points. Good on him

[mashman]

Cheap as possible for me, just burn me etc... and spend the money saved on beer. Surely showing respect is turning up? not a debate about the quality of coffin.

[pzkpfw]

Cheap as possible for me, just burn me etc... and spend the money saved on beer. Surely showing respect is turning up? not a debate about the quality of coffin.

Agree with you there.


I've told my Wife she can flush my ashes down the loo if she wants. Or not. Once I'm dead, it's got nothing to do with me.

My Father (a BSA and Harley rider in 50's/60's Netherlands) is constantly building stuff (e.g. nine boats so far). He's planning for one of his last projects to be coffins for him and my Mum. It's "DIY" but no disrespect at all. If anything it'll symbolise his life of hard work, self reliance, and enterprise.

[mashman]

Agree with you there.


I've told my Wife she can flush my ashes down the loo if she wants. Or not. Once I'm dead, it's got nothing to do with me.

My Father (a BSA and Harley rider in 50's/60's Netherlands) is constantly building stuff (e.g. nine boats so far). He's planning for one of his last projects to be coffins for him and my Mum. It's "DIY" but no disrespect at all. If anything it'll symbolise his life of hard work, self reliance, and enterprise.

heh... have said similar to Mrs M and she just ain't happy with that for some reason.

That gives me an idea for a funeral service, yes contrary to what was already said, but it'd be fun to be floated out to sea in a flammable coffin and have those who turn up shoot fire tipped arrows atcha.

[unstuck]

I would like to be spread all over the bush, preferably after I am dead.

[awa355]

Cheap as possible for me, just burn me etc... and spend the money saved on beer. Surely showing respect is turning up? not a debate about the quality of coffin.

A few years ago a work collegue died. His family had nothing so the funeral service was held at the house, his coffin was a cardboard one, and he was carried down the drive and placed into a Hi-ace van for the trip to the crematoriam. The whole thing went off well, no adverse comments.

Certainly do not need money to send a loved one off with dignity. The office lady at the Newstead cemetery told me that because of the toxicity of the ashes, ( destroys the grass ) they do not 'scatter' the ashes, but dig a shallow trough and spread the ashes into that.

I still cant decide whether I'm to be buried or toasted. The idea of making my own coffin is slowly growing.