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Why Not Join the Lively Woodworkers in Coffin Clubs?
From:
Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death, Funeral Expert Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death, Funeral Expert
For Immediate Release:
Dateline: Albuquerque, NM
Monday, February 27, 2017

 
Ben Laden's casket bookcase

Benjamin Laden and his casket bookcase

According to this story in The New York Times, D.I.Y. coffin clubs bring people together to build their own burial containers, which they playfully call “underground furniture.”

People aged from their 70s to their 90s get together weekly to do woodworking and make their own coffins, the six-sided boxes that are wider at the shoulders and narrower at the feet. A casket is a rectangular box.

The coffins can be used as aboveground furniture, such as book cases, coffee tables and as seating when covered with blankets and padding. Check out this photo of a casket bookcase made for my friend, Ben Laden.

In the story, Grace Terry, 77, a former nurse in Hawke’s Bay, on the North Island of New Zealand, said, “I’ve seen people come alive making their own coffins.” Once club members have made their own coffins, many will continue making caskets for those facing indigent burials.

Jeff Piehler in Patient

Dr. Jeffrey Piehler in Patient, A Surgeon’s Journey

Back in 2014, Dr. Jeffrey Piehler wrote an opinion piece in The New York Times about the life-affirming benefits of building his own coffin. He was a guest on my internet radio show and shared some wonderful insights. Read more and listen to the interview here.

His story was brilliantly told in a documentary, Patient, A Surgeon’s Journey. The film tells Dr. Piehler’s life story as he honestly faced his own mortality, prostate cancer, and end-of-life issues.

The film is available on DVD, video on demand, rental and for public screenings. Learn more at www.PatientTheMovie.com.

Building your own coffin is a positive way to face your own mortality and improve your woodworking skills at the same time.

Gail Rubin, CT, is author and host of the award-winning book and television series, A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die, Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips, and KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die.

Rubin is a Certified Thanatologist (that's a death educator) and a popular speaker who uses humor and films to get the end-of-life and funeral planning conversation started. She "knocked 'em dead" with her TEDx talk, A Good Goodbye. She provides continuing education credit classes for attorneys, doctors, nurses, social workers, hospice workers, financial planners, funeral directors and other professionals. She's a Certified Funeral Celebrant and funeral planning consultant who has been interviewed in national and local print, broadcast and online media.

Known as The Doyenne of Death®, she also hosts A Good Goodbye Internet radio show and produces Mortality Minute radio and online video spots.

Rubin is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association New Mexico Chapter. Her speaking profile is available at eSpeakers.com.

Gail Rubin has been interviewed about funeral planning issues in national and local broadcast, print and online media. Outlets include The Huffington Post, Money Magazine, Kiplinger, CBS Radio News, WGN-TV,  and local affiliates for NPR, PBS, FOX, ABC-TV, CBS-TV and NBC-TV.

Sign up for a free planning form and occasional informative newsletter at her website, AGoodGoodbye.com.
News Media Interview Contact
Name: Gail Rubin
Group: A Good Goodbye
Dateline: Albuquerque, NM United States
Direct Phone: 505-265-7215
Cell Phone: 505-363-7514
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