I just read that COSTCO is going to test-market coffins in several key markets! Isn’t this a bit over the top? I mean,how do you get these things home (if you don’t have a pickup truck). And, how doesone conduct a “do-it-yourself” funeral?
Suppose Grandpa croaks one night…do you run down and buy a coffin, drop Grandpa in and drive off to the local graveyard?
Yeah, funerals are expensive…but they generally only happen ONCE in your life, so why be cheap.
Of course, none of this is for me…when the time comes, I’m off to Arizona to be frozen! (Seeallof you suckers in 2305!). 
This is a joke right? I mean, you know that a funeral home could go pick it up, right? Ever buried someone? Coffins are insanely expensive. My cousin owns one of the largest funeral homes in 4 states, and even though we got it at cost, my mom’s casket still cost $7000 alone.
For fun, though since we only have Sam’s Club, I’d love to travel to a Costco and ask for a test drive. Then take a nap while my wife shops. Hell, if I’m gonna spend a couple billion years in it (till the Sun expands and swallows us) I want to make sure it’s nice and comfy.
It goes beyond just being expensive. The Funeral industry in the US are made of up liars, cheaters, and a bunch of thieving bastards. They take advantage of people who are at their worst, exploiting their grief, anguish, and even their love in order to make a buck.
Marc
And that is EXACTLY why you should plan your funeral before you die. It’s hard for grieving family members to shop around while the corpse rots.
Good information is available from the non-profit Funeral Consumers Alliance, a sister organization to FAMSA (Funeral and Memorial Societies of America) popularized by the work of Jessica Mitford (The American Way of Death).
A bit morbid but you can save your heirs a lot of money if you plan for your own funeral. If the undertaker will allow you to bring your own casket, and it’s cheaper, why not? If enough people buy caskets from Costco, then it will drive down the price that funeral homes offer them for. Supply and demand, or in this case, stiff competition.
Damnit, I searched for a few minutes, but can’t find a seller now. A few years ago a company offered a fully decorated Green Bay Packers casket that I desperately wanted for about $5000 at the time. Anyone know of which company this was/is? Any link if you know the company?
If I can ever secure one, I’ll die happy. 
One question: if you opt for the hot spot (cremation) do you even need a coffin? What’s the sense of burning up that beauftifil mahogany box with gold-plated handles? Can you just buy a packing crate and be done with it?
I’m so glad I opted for coldsleep…I be waking up in 2305, refreshed and rested, while you blokes are worm food!
I’m planning on having whomever is left that knows me when I die to just give my body to some kids in the neighborhood who think that they can do something pretty cool with it.
Sorry Cluricaun, but there are laws against improper disposal of corpses. I admire your support for the arts but I probably do not wanna see what a bunch of kids would consider a “cool” use of a cadaver…
Just because some people might have missed it:
Costco might be OK as an alternate source, but I think this is much cooler:
http://trappistcaskets.com/showroom.html
I like style #3, although since I’m tall I might need a custom.
Having just participated directly a couple of weeks ago in the last-minute selection of my grandfather’s casket, here’s something else to keep in mind, besides cost: Jewish funerals are required to be held as soon as possible after the death, among other reasons because embalming is prohibited, and well, I’m sure you can fill in the rest.
The funeral director only had 2 caskets in stock, and one of them was quite hideous (my mom, aunt, and I all took one glance and vetoed it). Given the time constraints, we couldn’t wait for anything else to be delivered, so luckily the #2 choice was acceptable to everyone and we just took the floor model. If you BYOC, at least you get to choose.
Federal law now requires funeral homes to accept caskets from other sources with a penalty or any fee:
According to the Funeral Rule:
* you have the right to choose the funeral goods and services you want (with some exceptions).
* the funeral provider must state this right in writing on the general price list.
* if state or local law requires you to buy any particular item, the funeral provider must disclose it on the price list, with a reference to the specific law.
* the funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere.
* a funeral provider that offers cremations must make alternative containers available.Federal law now requires funeral homes to accept caskets from other sources without a penalty or any fee:
[Moderator Hat ON]
Seems to be looking for opinions. Off to IMHO.
[Moderator Hat OFF]
I’d like to be cremated so it doesn’t matter to me, but I helped with the planning of my father’s funeral. He died completely unexpectedly and young, and hadn’t pre-planned anything except for the plot and headstone (though that was something, at least). My mom was understandably having a rough time dealing with the planning part at the funeral home, so I had to ask what items were required by state law, what the coffin price differences were, and so on.
If these Costco-sold coffins aren’t tacky, I’d be all for something like that - at least other people might be able to tell their loved ones “hey, get that for my funeral someday” and that’s one less thing to stress over.
You don’t really think that if you need something big brought to your house and you don’t have a pickup that you’re SOL, do you?
Even without a pickup, you could buy some lumber and nails and construct your own. Maybe Martha Stewart could do a show on how to spruce it up, too.
There is a really lovely book, despite its title, that I cannot recommend enough dealing with Dead People and Disposal.
Caring for your dead
If you want true sticker shock when you are not in grief, I recommend stopping by a funeral home after work, when there is a crowd of mourners for a less sales-pitch atmosphere, and ask for a green sheet or a GPS General Pricing Sheet.
By law ( at least in Michigan) they have to have their prices available for the consumer. Usually they have you over a barrel, grieving and thinking you have to bury your dead in three days and time is of the essense.
Not so.