A Simple Pine Box

[arizonian]

This is not the usual fabrication story. I was asked by my wife's brother to construct a pine box for his wife that died early Tuesday morning, Feb 16th, 2021. She had been bedridden for at least five years and the last two months she really went downhill. I built this with three days notice and delivered it to El Paso yesterday noon.

The box is all 1" sugarpine sourced from Hood Distribution except for the handles which are poplar. The hinges and latches are sourced from Lowes as there is no local casket supply in Tucson. The lining came from JoAnnes Fabric.

I had to leave all the screw holes in the outside of the lid as is because I ran out of time. The remainder of the screws are hidden inside the box or covered up by the trim. The last photo is somewhere about 1:30 am as I'm trying to get the last hinge and latch installed.

We are returning to Hatch, NM/El Paso on Tuesday for the graveside service/funeral.

[Whitetrash]

Wow, beautiful work that came from the heart. You and your Kin are in our prayers.

[mccutter]

Sorry for your loss, Bill...

Well done on the "casket" on such short notice. Is there any kind of covering on the inside?

[digr]

Sorry to hear that! Three days WOW it would take me three weeks. Hell of a nice job!!

Ted

[arizonian]

Thank You!

I meant to add the interior photos but got called to dinner. See attached.

[slip knot]

Nicely done. seems to be quite a task to take on at short notice. Are there plans for these or did you make it up yourself?

[jniolon]

Beautiful work, Bill...

I was a pall bearer for favorite uncle who had a wooden casket.. It took eight to carry him out and he wasn't a large man...that sucker was heavy.. condolences to your family

john

[midmosandblasting]

Beautiful . I had to pall bear a friend him and a oak casket went 648 pounds . It took 3 on a side a head and a foot person .

[arizonian]

There were no plans. What I found online was too ornate and $$$ to boot. I drew up my own plans on PAD (Pencil Aided Design).

I did not have time for head and foot handles or I would have put them in. I never weighed the casket but I could handle one end with the other end on the dolly, maybe 150 lbs max total. I bought 128 board feet, 1" planed down to 3/4" for the finished thickness. I left 15-20% or more for the fireplace.

Being bedridden, Cindy really put on weight at the end when her kidneys started shutting down and she was retaining water weight. I asked the mortician if he had ever had a failure where the casket collapsed and he assured me that this one looked substantial enough.

[camdigger]

Well done on the casket Bill. It can be difficult to do this kind of thing in this situation. Kudos.

Sorry for your loss.