Thread: Build your own coffin.

You can bury someone in a homemade coffin in SA because My father in law built his out of scrap bits of timber laying around his farm. He painted it battleship grey and listed all of the ports he had sailed into on the side (He was a merchant seaman). He took the coffin up to the funeral directors to make sure that it was legal? (Ie that he didnt fall out of it when He was lifted). It was approved by the funeral director and also He put it in his will that He be buried in it!. I know this actually happened because I was present at the funeral when he was buried in it.Cheers Shaun

I have so far kept out of this topic, but decided to add my bit.
In a previous life, (in the 1960'S), I was an undertaker and we made our own coffins. When a cremation was called for we used chrome plated plastic handles and these were not removed from the coffin. In fact our supplier used to supply a "cremation" kit. I also worked in a coffin factory in Brisbane, building coffins for twelve months.
We were never presented with a "home" made coffin. I have recently discussed all this with the undertaker in my home town and was advised that there is no Australian standard for coffins but an undertaker can refuse to use a "home" made coffin if they deem that it is was "inappropriate", "unsuitable" or "inadequate". Obviously there may be some variation in decisions made locally.
If any one is interested, I supply them the dimensions to make their own coffin, as well as a few hints and details. I have often considered building my own, but where does one store it without vermin etc. having a little nibble?
Jim

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

As a public service, here are the relevant State and Territory regulations for coffins in Australia. I know you were all dying to know this!!!!

snip

I wonder if the glues in ply, chipboard, MDF and the like comply with this bit (from Victoria)

that will not give rise to noxious emissions when burnt

or this bit from SA

... a material derived from timber that will not release organochlorines during incineration in a crematorium

Originally Posted by powderpost

................ but where does one store it without vermin etc. having a little nibble?
Jim

Use it as a coffee table of course - what a conversation starter

A few years ago I applied for a job as a coffin maker at a large funeral business,they gave me a tour of the workshop,and told me that they dont actually make the coffins,but that they come from China in flatpack form, and they assemble and finish them.

Cheers..... David.

I did my cabinet/furniture making apprenticeship at a casket manufacturers, and yes, it made me cringe. Solid heart Rimu, Mahogany, American oak, walnut...... what a waste. But the majority where made from timber foiled MDF, which where still expensive for what they where to be honest.
But we also made something called a liner which was a raw MDF insert which was inserted into a flash solid timber casket of the buyers choice and was used for the service and then removed and burnt, the timber casket was then used again for another service. I thought that was a much better Idea.