In New Zealand, a businessman creates unique coffins

In New Zealand, entrepreneur Ross Hall has brought a fresh perspective to the traditional funeral industry by creating bespoke, unconventional coffins. His company, Dying Art, specializes in crafting unique coffins that go beyond the norm.

In New Zealand, entrepreneur Ross Hall has brought a fresh perspective to the traditional funeral industry by creating bespoke, unconventional coffins. His company, Dying Art, specializes in crafting unique coffins that go beyond the norm.

An Unconventional Idea

Hall's business idea came to him 15 years ago when he was preparing his will and contemplating his own mortality. "Some people are happy with a classic mahogany coffin, and that's fine. But if someone wants to stand out, I'm here to help," he says.

Hall creates coffins priced between 3,000 and 7,500 New Zealand dollars, depending on the complexity of the design. He notes that in recent years, people have begun to view death as a "celebration of life" rather than a somber event.

Creative Designs

One of Hall's most memorable projects was done at the request of his cousin, Phil MacLean, who passed away from colon cancer in February. In memory of MacLean, who loved donuts, Hall crafted a coffin shaped like a giant cream donut. "68-year-old MacLean was a big fan of donuts, and his favorite bakery sent 150 pastries to the funeral," Hall recounts.

Eco-Friendly Approach

The coffins Hall makes are biodegradable, aligning with modern environmental standards. However, for the donut-shaped coffin, he used polymer materials, so it was replaced with a standard coffin before cremation to meet safety requirements.

Future Plans

Hall plans to continue expanding his services, catering to diverse customer requests who want their farewell to be not only meaningful but also unique. His approach to coffin design demonstrates that even serious matters like death can be approached with creativity and individuality.