Build your own coffin
Any person with reasonably good carpentry skills, a decent set of tools and a large enough working space should be able to make a perfectly good casket from plywood or timber. The word "casket" means any type of receptacle used to contain and transport a dead body - however a casket typically has four sides, while a traditional tapered coffin has six. MDF is a popular choice in the funeral industry due to its smooth surface, but it is very heavy. Plywood is lighter, stronger and usually easier to source - especially if you are going to use recycled pallets. Even though it's fairly simple joinery there is still quite a bit of work to it - however there is no better way to obtain a cheap casket. If you have the skills then watch a few YouTube videos and give it a go.
What standards apply to caskets in New Zealand?
In New Zealand there is no legislation which sets standards for the construction of coffins and caskets. So there is no legal certification process or any requirement for this under NZ law. However local councils, cemeteries and crematoria will have their own rules about what is and isn't alllowed. For example some councils will not allow cardboard coffins to be used; others will. Bear in mind that because crematoria use roller systems, a casket for cremation must always have a flat bottom with no feet or other protrusions. Also if you are planning to arrange a certified "natural" or "eco" burial you will have to use a casket or shroud board which meets their standards, outlined here.
Funeral homes will generally accept a home-made casket or coffin, but they may not allow it to be carried by pallbearers. Instead they will use a gurney or trolley to move it, and they may also charge a handling fee. Using your own casket may not make much difference to the price if you have signed up for a package.
For a slightly dated but still interesting video by a funeral director on things to consider when making your own casket, click here.
Shroud bearers
A shroud bearer is basically a tray with ends, shallow sides and handholds. Shroud bearers (also known as shrouding boards) are gaining in popularity in New Zealand, with many local councils, cemeteries and crematoria now allowing bodies to be buried or cremated on one. The body must be completely wrapped in a shroud (a fancy word for a sheet), and must be tied onto the board before it is carried. A shrouding board is probably the cheapest type of casket you can hope to make, although commercially obtained ones still cost a small fortune.
To watch a video of a home funeral which used a shroud bearer, which the family is happy to share publicly, please click here.
The "DIY kit" - an easy way to build your own coffin
With a DIY kit you can build your own rectangular casket or six-sided coffin out of two sheets of untreated non-structural plywood which you can get at any hardware store at a cost of around $60 a sheet.
The DIY kit contains all the battens, joiners and fixings you will need to assemble your coffin, and the following are provided electronically:
- Drawings and cutting plans for either a small, standard or large coffin.
- Detailed assembly instructions with photos.
To use this kit you need to have good carpentry skills and to be able to read plans and follow instructions. You will also need good tools and a decent workspace.
If you do buy a kit you can contact me at any time for advice during construction.
Price:
Rectangular casket kit (no handles) $150, or $275 for two
Rectangular casket kit (with rope handles) $175, or $325 for two
Six-sided coffin kit (no handles) $175, or $325 for two
Six-sided coffin kit (with rope handles) $200, or $375 for two
These prices exclude freight costs.
If you are planning ahead, or are part of a couple or group who want to make your own caskets, it actually makes sense to build two at once. This is because it takes two sheets of plywood (costing $120) to build one coffin with quite a lot of waste, while two kits can be made from three sheets of plywood (costing $180) - a much more efficient use of materials.
To order please contact me here:
