Caskets for sale

I make all of my caskets individually, mostly by hand and almost entirely from recycled materials. Because of this they all have slight imperfections. If you buy a coffin from me you will be supporting a real person as well as the ongoing improvement of the information on this website.

I sell my rectangular caskets either assembled or as flatpacks which you can put together yourself (detailed instructions are provided). If you are considering buying a flatpack I also sell a small kit for $150 which allows you to build a rectangular casket from plywood which any large hardware store will cut to size for you. Putting the kit together is hardly any different than assembling a flatpack, but it saves tremendously on shipping costs and will end up costing you less than $300 - surely one of the cheapest ways to buy a casket in NZ. See below for further details.

Flatpacks and assembled caskets can be picked up from Lower Hutt, shipped all over NZ or I may be able to deliver if you live near Wellington. Freight cost is generally $100 to a Peter Baker depot anywhere in the North Island, or $130 to any depot in the South Island, with an extra $30 for delivery to a residential address. I also charge extra for shipping assembled caskets as they are a devil to wrap. I will confirm the freight cost with you when you order. Unfortunately Peter Baker do not pick up or deliver on weekends.

Current range

Rectangular casket with external joinery

This casket is relatively lightweight at 25kg and in its most basic form is suitable only for direct cremation as it has no handles. Upgrading it with side rails will allow it to be carried by pallbearers and used for burial as well as cremation.

Price: $500 assembled, or $400 if sold as a flatpack

Upgrades: Side rails - $100 // Painted satin white - $100

My "DIY kit" allows you to build one of these caskets very cheaply using plywood which you can get cut to size at a hardware store. Please click here for more details.

Plywood casket with plain lines and rope handles

This casket is also relatively lightweight at 25kg and can be used for both burial and cremation. It is suitable for natural burial as it is made of untreated plywood and glued with PVA.

Price: $600 assembled, or $500 if sold as a flatpack

Upgrades: Painted satin white - $100

Roughsawn pine coffin with wooden handles

This coffin is relatively lightweight at 30 kg and can be used for both burial and cremation. I do sand the timber pretty well so there are no rough edges. It is suitable for natural burial as it is made of untreated plywood and glued with PVA.

Price: $650

Upgrades: Painted satin white - $100

I generally have caskets available in different sizes. The following is a guide to their internal dimensions - however there will be some variation due to the materials I am able to source: It is best to ring me to see what sizes I have in stock at the time.

Small: 175cm x 55cm x 28cm. This size is suitable for frail old ladies and smaller men up to 5'8" tall.
Standard: 190cm x 57cm x 30cm. This size is suitable for any person of average weight up to 6'2" tall.
Large: 200cm x 59cm x 32cm. This size is suitable for any person of average weight up to 6'5" tall.

Please bear in mind that the size of casket will be determined by the size of the person's stomach as well as their height and width. A particularly large or overweight male will definitely need a custom-made larger casket. I can make these up on request for a small additional charge. I can also provide interior decoration including pillows and linings in various fabrics - please call me to see what I have available, or for advice on how to do it yourself.

Gallery of previous work

A specially made casket will always reflect the interests, tastes and wishes of the person who has died better than something standardised. It has been an honour and privilege for me to make these caskets for the people who have needed them. They are, and always will be, special and completely unique. If you are interested in ordering something like this, please call me to discuss the options.

This was the first casket I ever made - for my Mum. I was especially proud of the lid and built-in handles.

At the funeral of my dear friend Sandra many people wrote beautiful farewell messages all over this casket in gold pen.

I made this one for a lovely woman who was my art tutor at the Learning Connexion. I love the colour and its spacious feeling and sense of peace.