Buried treasure: DIY caskets add to Beaver Dam (Wisconsin) firm's bottom line

[Scuba]

Saving money, all the way to the end ...

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/buried-treasure-diy-caskets-add-to-beaver-dam-firms-bottom-line-b99223159z1-251622271.html

Beaver Dam — When Jonas Zahn's grandfather died, he wanted to honor him in a way most grandsons probably would not consider. Zahn wanted to build his grandpa's casket. While some might think that's morbid, to Zahn it seemed like the perfect way to memorialize the grandfather who idolized Clint Eastwood and John Wayne — with a plain pine box commonly called a "toe pincher" by cowboys.

"I volunteered to build a casket," Zahn said. "It appealed to me because I could do something for him." But there were no blueprints on the Internet, and Zahn wasn't sure how to construct a coffin. It took Zahn and his family about 80 hours to figure it out and construct his grandfather's final resting container for burial in Mayville a decade ago. It turned into a neat way for his family to reconnect over the shared act of performing a necessary task.

"We spent a lot of time together. It was a real moving experience," Zahn said. "I thought I should come up with a kit so others can do it." His brainstorm has turned into an unusual business — making do-it-yourself casket kits as well as a variety of coffins for conventional and natural burials.

Though most people choose a ready-built coffin, Zahn's business is tapping into the trend for green, or natural, burials with caskets that leave as small a carbon footprint as possible. Plus, a small but growing number of people want to personalize their loved one's casket with pictures, signatures, handprints and notes written in pen.

[pipoman]

1. Good for them. .

I still think that the cremation option is best for me. .

[NaturalHigh]

2. I probably would too...

if my family didn't so adamantly oppose it.

[pipoman]

5. I view it as a very personal decision

When my dad died unexpectedly in 2000 I was surprised to find out he and my mother had both decided to be cremated. After I saw the process and the $2k bill instead of the $8k bill for burial it made perfect sense. Since my mother and sister have both been cremated and it feels very natural. My son and I both got memorial tattoos for my mother, the artist mixed some of her ashes with the black ink. .very emotional for both of us. .

[South_Street]

6. It's your body...

Do what you like with it... It's literally the last thing that will ever happen to you.

If you do decide to go with what you want then make sure to get an executor outside of your family who will actually follow through on your wishes.

[Scuba]

3. Same here. Maybe I should invest in a pottery wheel.

[Earth_First]

4. Same here...

To be forever left in the Adirondacks.