Why coffins?
I recently had the opportunity to take on a few woodworking projects with a long time friend, and in many ways a mentor of mine, Larry E Sifford.
Larry has built hand crafted cedar coffins for years, and he asked me to help fulfill a few orders by trying my hand at building these in my own shop. I think he knew I was looking for something to do in addition to my musical pursuits, something to keep my hands busy when I’m not traveling.
For whatever reason, he thought of me and I’m sure glad he did.
We’ve since talked a lot about the insanity of the costs of the modern funeral “industry” and the need for people in our area of southwest Missouri to have an affordable yet dignified way to care for their loved ones when they pass over.
In many ways the modern funeral industry tries to hide death, tries to hide this part of the human condition, as if we can dress up death and lock it away in a concrete vault, to be avoided but never escaped.
But there’s something about these cedar coffins that is inherently human. They have imperfections. You can see the story of the tree in the visible grain.
A tree that grew from a seed and flourished on a mountainside until the time of harvest.
St Paul talks about death in this way, as a seed that is sown, awaiting the final day when those in Christ will spring forth in the power of His resurrection. Those who, as the Nicene Creed says, look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
In Christ, death is the doorway to life. He has canceled the debt against us, and openly triumphed over the grave and any spiritual powers that would keep us in bondage. He promises to keep to the very end those who call upon him in faith.
I wasn’t planning to preach the gospel when I started writing this post, but I realize the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only context in which I could agree to make these coffins.
The first one I made was for a long time friend, who after the funeral of her late husband, wanted to plan something different for herself in the future, for many of the same reasons I’ve mentioned.
After she picked up the coffin from my shop, I found myself hit with a wave of emotion, knowing that something I handcrafted would one day cradle the body of my friend, in the final act of mercy of a Christian burial. I can only face that reality through the hope I have in Jesus.
As a result of this creative process and working together, Larry Sifford asked me to take over his coffin operation, and continue to build and offer these humble yet beautiful coffins to those in need, to those who like us, seek to see the beauty in the natural and the larger story God is telling.
Larry has “passed the torch” and I’m both grateful and excited to see what can happen right here from my little workshop in the Ozarks.
Larry also, after giving his own coffin to a family in need, asked me to go ahead and craft another for him, to which I agreed, as long as he promises me he won’t need it for many years yet!
If you are making plans for the future or find yourself caring for a loved one, please reach out I would love to be able to serve you in this way.
