From the Waikato Times, New Zealand:
A Hamilton high school night class offering people the chance to build their own coffin has been inundated with budding box builders looking to cut funeral costs.
Clyde Sutton, a Fraser High School relief teacher, said a surprising amount of community interest was behind the move to teach carpentry with what some might consider a potentially macabre example.
“Death can be a bit of a taboo subject but this class is a sign of the times and is much cheaper (than buying a coffin),” he said.
“It’s a way for people to look at their own mortality and have some decision in their death, rather than leaving it up to someone else.”
Fraser High adult and community education director, Peter Faulkner,initially laughed the idea of coffin-crafting class off as crazy. “There was enough enthusiasm out there though, so I started to take it more seriously,” he said.
Mr Faulkner said people used coffins for all sorts of things, such as coffee tables and bookshelves.
“It’s not only about saving some money but rather taking charge of that part of your life,” he said.
