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Classic Coffin from Cowboy Coffin and Pine Box Company

A couple of years ago the Gazette ran an article about a custom coffin-maker in Red Lodge Montana which aroused my interest. A coffin is something most of us will need at some time or other in our lives, so it seemed logical to me to let others know what is available.

Rand Herzberg, former forest ranger and now sole proprietor of Cowboy Coffin and Pine Box Company, just 3 miles south of Red Lodge, calls the above pictured coffin “deluxe.” It costs $1195 though I suppose you could add some things that might jack up the price somewhat. For your basic 3/4 inch pine box with single piece lid and rope handles, it will cost $795.  And then if you live in Florida or some other faraway place the cost of shipping would have to be taken into account. He does personal deliveries within a 100 mile radius, which would include Billings.

I’ve always wondered why coffins have long had this traditional or “classic” shape?  I mean, it doesn’t seem to correspond to the human body, does it? And it makes the construction a lot more difficult, takes longer and more skill involved, hence the difference in price. So, if anyone knows, let me in on the secret, even if it is something obvious. I suppose, once upon a time, that shoulders were the widest part of the body, but for a rich and fat nation like the USA the mid-portion should be larger, right?

If $795 or $1195 seems like a lot for a coffin, then you should check out your local undertaker’s wares. And if it still seems like a lot, then maybe a family could go together on it. Just use it for display, then after the funeral, burn ‘em, but not the coffin of course, which can be used again and again. Just an idea.

Fine carpentry evident from this very nicely done corner of a coffin

Keep on going up Highway 212 toward Cooke City to look for the Cowboy Coffin and Pine Box Co. Check his website or give Rand a call at 446-2121 for directions. There is a Google map on the website.

Here is an example of some of Rand’s really nice carpentry to the right on one of his more basic rectangular coffins.

Neat little boxes for cremated remains are also available. Please see Herzberg’s very useful website.