Man Wins Prize for Building His Own Coffin

Grady Hunter will take his prize-winning entry in the North Carolina State Fair to the grave. The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that Hunter won a blue ribbon in this year's crafts and hobbies competition by making his own coffin.

'I'm tickled to death with it," Hunter told the newspaper.

Hunter, 75, wanted to improve on store-bought caskets. The case has hard-rock maple and Brazilian cherry. He also routed his signature into the wood.

You can read more at: http://tinyurl.com/eogn1.

Comments

[Caswell County Historical Association]

Dear Dick:

It appears that others, at least one, in North Carolina have built their own coffins. See the 1974 article that appeared in The State magazine (North Carolina):

http://ncccha.org/pdf/yanceyfamily/bartlettyanceyarticle1974.pdf

Please note that these two pages were posted to Caswell County Historical Association website with permission from Our State magazine. The publication changed its name a few years back from The State to Our State. The magazine retains all rights and further use of these pages is prohibited.

Best regards,

Rick Frederick
Archivist and Webmaster
Caswell County Historical Association
rick@ncccha.org

[Alexis Bakeeff]

Good on you, Grady and Rick! I've been threatening to do so for years but have yet to take action on the threat. My plan was to do a plain pine box, held together with screws and glue but now it will have to be bio-degradable. Anybody have any plans for such?

Alexis

[delichef]

I have seen several reports on this story, and not one had a photo to go along with it. How come?
The Deli Chef

[Clara]

I'm a "hobby" potter.
We just purchased a columbarium (yes, it's spelled correctly) so I am in the process of making containers for our ashes. If you want to do likewise get the correct measurement of the opening where the container will be placed. They are quite expensive when purchased through a Funeral Home.

[Clara]

I'm a "hobby" potter.
We just purchased a columbarium (yes, it's spelled correctly) so I am in the process of making containers for our ashes. If you want to do likewise get the correct measurement of the opening where the container will be placed. They are quite expensive when purchased through a Funeral Home.