Planning for the end

rjent · Post by **rjent** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 2:46 pm

This is a little off topic, but as good a place as any to ask ....

I would like to make our coffins with the ShopSmith(s). We have room to store them after the fact. Does anyone have plans for making one? I have looked around and have found a few, but I would like options. When I buried my brother a month ago, his was a beautiful mahogany casket. I would like to do it if I can get/find some specs for doing it

Any help would be appreciated.

Dick

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 3:43 pm

rjent wrote:We have room to store them after the fact. Any help would be appreciated.
Dick

So after your placed in the coffin, you'll be STORED somewhere? Being of NO HELP here.

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 4:31 pm

Is it even legal to make your own coffin? I figured some industry would have that market locked up tighter than a drum.

rpd · Post by **rpd** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 5:31 pm

rjent wrote:This is a little off topic, but as good a place as any to ask ....

I would like to make our coffins with the ShopSmith(s). We have room to store them after the fact. Does anyone have plans for making one? I have looked around and have found a few, but I would like options. When I buried my brother a month ago, his was a beautiful mahogany casket. I would like to do it if I can get/find some specs for doing it

Any help would be appreciated.

Dick

This is a good place to start How To Build A Coffin
Also Rockler sells a plan Wood Casket Plan

I have seen (on the net) where the finished Casket can be fitted with shelves and use as a book case until needed.

rjent · Post by **rjent** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 5:34 pm

fredsheldon wrote:Is it even legal to make your own coffin? I figured some industry would have that market locked up tighter than a drum.

Watch me .....

Actually, I checked a few years ago with our local mortuary, and they said you can be buried in a cardboard box if you want. Sooooooo...

Besides, they bury people in the desert without any coffin at all all the time ....

rjent · Post by **rjent** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 5:48 pm

rpd wrote:This is a good place to start How To Build A Coffin
Also Rockler sells a plan Wood Casket Plan

I have seen (on the net) where the finished Casket can be fitted with shelves and use as a book case until needed.

I had found the first link before, the Rockler's site was new

Thanks rpd.

Dick

ChrisNeilan · Post by **ChrisNeilan** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:43 pm

skou wrote:Chris, you may be the exception to the rule, but my experiences are the same as Ed in Tampa.

MOST, (not you, Chris) funeral directors are as bad as used car salesmen. It's the 90% that give the rest (Chris) a bad reputation.

You MIGHT want to take this up with your fellow (Funeral Director) members.

steve

I'm a third generation funeral director. We do not sell. Let me repeat that, we do not sell. There are four other funeral homes in my area. They do not sell. Families get itemizations and price lists as dictated by the Federal Trade Commission. We review these lists and discuss with the families what they do and do not want. The choices are presented and financial responsibilities are discussed. We stress, and I believe my colleagues do as well, that it is not necessary to go deep into debt in order to have a meaningful service. Perhaps this is not the case in the retirement belt, but up here it is. Are there bad apples? Of course there are, just as in the church, the legal system and in realtors, or in any industry...But that is the exception (even for lawyers:D )

Story time... Two years ago we had the Newtown school shootings here in Connecticut. More tragedy than I've ever seen in our back yard. My business partner was then President of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association. He had the task of setting up a task force to help the only funeral home in Newtown to deal with handeling the arrangements for those students and teachers. Funeral directors from all over donated their time, casket companies donated, vault companies donated. It's not always about the money. There are many many good people in my industry. Try to take a walk in our shoes, how long could you?
I'm walking away now for a little while to cool down.

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 8:31 pm

I suspect most of the time it's the family that feels pressured to purchase a better looking casket than necessary for fear that they might come across as cheap to those attending the services. It's the 'how much was she/he worth' guilt trip that dictates most decisions.

skou · Post by **skou** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:06 pm

Chris, I'm deeply sorry to have ruffled feathers, especially yours.

I'm going by what I've seen out here in God's Waiting Room, Western edition.

HERE, the story is quite different than what you state. I wish it weren't true, but out here, Funeral businesses, and used car dealers rate about the same. (Which is still HIGHER than lawyers or politicians, incidentally.)

I'm publicly apologizing, and ask your understanding.

Thanks for being here, when ALL of us need you!

steve

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:36 pm

I've never had any problems with any funeral folks... Now my mother over-paid big time for my father's casket (thick all copper) but it was not because of the funeral folks. She was driven by what others might think not a sales pitch. Diana and I have often watched a British TV sit-com called "Keeping Up Appearances". If anyone watches it they will understand my saying that my mother had a bit of Hyacinth Bucket in her.

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