Coffin building experience/plans? *LINK*

No experience - but a recollection

Dave (Arlington, VA)

>Hi Coop -

I am sorry to hear of your friends death. My condolences.

On your coffin design question, I can't be of much help except that I recall noticing that the coffin for Pope John Paul II was dovetailed. I tried to find some pics on the net, but no luck. If this jointing methods interests you, perhaps others will know more details or be able to point you to a picture. I have read, however, that making nice dovetails in pine can some times be a challenge. I don't know if it would make a difference using Southern Yellow Pine....it's pretty hard.

Regards -

Dave

Re: Coffin building experience/plans?

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Motorcycles would be much safer if they didn't allow cars on the road.

There's a book out there, which I've read, but can't find the title now. I don't recall it saying much a competent woodworker won't know. You'll be offering your friend a truly sacred gift - your own labor to honor him.

Found some....

Dave (Arlington, VA)

>Hi Coop -

Found some pics. I also noticed that this was not the traditional shape (at least the traditional American shape) coffin. As a result, it may not meet your interests.

Regards -

Dave

Another angle....

Dave (Arlington, VA)

>I suppose that the angles on dovetails in a "traditional" coffin might be a bit tricky....at least for me.

Re: Coffin building experience/plans?

Todd Hughes

>I sort of collect antique coffins, guess I have 6 of them all childrens or infants and have seen many others. Have never seen a dovetailed coffen and do not think they were normaly made that way rather just screwed or nailed together. All that I have have at the shoulder area saw kerfs on the inside so that the wood can be bent in. I have one Europeon stlye coffin ,[which I was very excited to find] which has a peaked type lid.Imagine this made it more difficult to make, in colonia Jamestown they found gravesites which had nails down the center of the skeleton and couldn't figure it out untill they discovered this type of coffin.I have a childs pine coffin which has fancy grain painted finish like you see on some old time chests and furniture. I think this one was probably a "Rental" that they would lay you out in and after the funeral plant you in a plain one.A friend of mine her Dad started to make his own coffin but got to sick to finish so she had to finish it.Said it turned out OK...at least didn't get no complaints.

I bought a coffin once at an auction and as I was taking it back to the truck had a guy tell me in sort of disgust I guess, "Thats something I will never buy"...I told him thats where he's wrong it's just that he won't pick it out! ......Todd

Re: Coffin building experience/plans?

Ron Bauman

>Coop:

Check this:http://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?offerings_id=5016 Haven't read it, can't reccomend, no affiliation...Sorry about your friend. Keep in mind the box used for the Pope was carried on another platform. I always wondered how they made the joints for the bottom strong enough.

Re: Coffin building experience/plans?

Paul Brandley

>I'm sorry for your loss...A while back, Woodwork magazine had an article about a religious group that made and sold coffins. Maybe you could get some ideas from that. Good luck on your search.