DIY Casket Kit — Simple Assembly, Traditional Wood Joinery

New in 2026!  Simpler joinery, dovetail lid ribs, metal-free construction (optionally), concealed housing joints in corners.

Build a meaningful, handcrafted casket with a kit designed to make assembly straightforward and approachable. Each kit arrives with the major panels machined and ready to fit together, using concealed housing joints, a fitted floor, and floating dovetail lid supports to create a strong, clean-looking finished casket.

The short end panels fit into precisely machined housing joints in the long sides, helping the case align naturally during assembly. There are no bulky interior corner ribs to install. Simply dry-fit the parts, apply wood glue, and clamp the case while the glue cures. For an easier screw-assisted assembly, pre-marked pilot holes can be drilled through and temporarily secured with screws to pull the joints tightly together. Builders who prefer a metal-free casket can remove the screws after the glue cures and replace them with wooden dowels.

The two-piece lid uses floating dovetail ribs that slide into routed sockets beneath the lid. These ribs help keep the solid-wood lid panels flat while still allowing the wood to expand and contract naturally with changes in humidity. Small stop blocks keep the ribs captured without locking them in place.

The floor fits into the bottom of the assembled case and can be secured with glue and staples, screws, or wooden dowels. Pre-marked pilot holes also make it easier to locate optional lid-retention dowels and your chosen handle system.

Kit features include:

• Two long side panels: 78 in. x 14 x 3/4 in.
• Two short end panels: 21-1/2 in. x 14 x 3/4 in.
• One fitted floor panel: 77 in. x 22-1/8 in.
• Two lid halves: 39-1/4 x 24 x 3/4 in.
• Four floating dovetail lid ribs with stop blocks
• Concealed barefaced housing joints for easy case alignment
• Pre-marked assembly, lid-retention, and handle locations
• Hole patterns for either stationary casket handles or traditional rope handles
• Hardware for screw-assisted assembly
• Wooden dowels for builders who want to minimize or eliminate metal fasteners
• Detailed illustrated assembly instructions

You Will Need:

• #2 square driver bit, or Philips screw driver
• 4-8 oz. wood glue
• 1 piece of 120-grit sandpaper (optional)
• Handles (optional)
• Pillow and cushion set (optional)

The lid can be left removable or secured with wooden dowel pins, screws, nails, or another method of your choosing. The kit is intentionally flexible so families can finish and personalize the casket in whatever way feels appropriate—oil, stain, paint, carving, artwork, messages from family and friends, or simply left natural.

This is more than a woodworking project. Building a casket together can give family and friends an opportunity to participate personally in preparing for a funeral or memorial, creating something useful, meaningful, and uniquely connected to the person it was built for.

The redesigned assembly system is intended to keep that experience focused on building together rather than complicated woodworking.

Includes shipping to the continental United States!

Once you have finished building this basic casket box, add your own styling with a wood finish, casket handles, upholstery interior, and accessories. 

Julie, Customer Service - "We've shipped more than 800 casket kits to families all around the United States who have put them together with family and friends. We are so very grateful for all those of you who have called or written and shared photos of your experience of being more involved and the beautiful and creative things you have added to make this casket personal."

Finished Dimensions

Standard
Interior (in): 76-1/2 x 21-1/2 x 13-3/8
Exterior (in): 78-1/2 x 24 x 14-3/4

Optional Upgrades

• Upgrade the casket lid with a set of hinges, top supports, and latches with a Universal Hardware Kit.
• Upgrade the interior with an adjustable casket bed.
• Finish the exterior with a nice oil finish or real milk paint.
• Install a Mattress and Pillow Set.
• Install a Casket Box Liner.
• Add a theme with a casket overlay.

Customize your casket with handles

This plain pine box kit does not include handles. There are many different options to choose from. Popular options for this casket include thick cotton rope handles, bale handles, and swingbar handles.

Figure 1 - Use 20 feet of cotton rope for one continuous rope handle on all 4 sides. Drill 1-1/4 inch holes.

Figure 2 - The simple bale handles fasten on the outside with 4 wood screws.

Figure 3 -  Swingbar handles are available in many colors and come in two styles--bolt-thru as pictured here, and as arm-and-adapter style that fasten to the outside wall with 2 screws.