Every year, Americans bury enough metal in the ground to rebuild the Golden Gate Bridge, says Vashon Island coffin maker Marcus Daly. His simple, handcrafted wooden coffins are an economical and environmentally friendly burial alternative. But Daly believes a coffin’s most important feature is that it can be carried. Here’s why.
“Carrying the ones we love (in a casket) is very important for us and the way we deal with death. To know that we have played a part and that we have shouldered our burden. If we make (death) too convenience, we are depriving ourselves of a chance to get stronger.” — Marcus Daly (from “The Coffinmaker”)
Thank you to Caleb Wilde for sharing this video on Facebook.
The Coffinmaker from Dan McComb on Vimeo.
What an amazing video,… this piece should sum up for every death care professional what our role is,… Thanks, Ryan – for sharing this with everyone!
I buried one of these last month. I would invite this craftsman down to my funeral home to see why he needs to take into account what we all have in terms of equipment which helps us safely transfer the casket from one place to another. His design indicates that was not a factor. It was difficult for my coworkers to ensure the lady who selected this for herself was carefully cared for. She led so many services at our funeral home, we wanted to be good and sure we did right by her.
It’s still a casket, and not a coffin, given that it has four sides. But it tapers in such a way that a standard church truck will not work. I had to get one out of storage that didn’t open as much as the newer ones do to ensure the pallbearers weren’t going to have issues.
That, and you can’t have viewing with these. There is no hinge for the “lid”; only 8 philips screws. 😉
Hi Corey,
I welcome constructive criticism. I’ve worked with several funeral professionals over the years to modify my design for their church trucks while maintaining the character of the casket/coffin (ultimately, according to my dictionary, they’re synonymous), which is modeled after Blessed John Paul II’s. With their two piece lids, they’ve been used successfully throughout our Archdiocese and around the country for viewings as well as funerals. Future invitations are more likely to reach me if you contact me directly @ 206-463-6245 or marcus@mariancaskets.com. Thanks, Marcus