CNN Online Reports...
Retired carpenter pinches pennies by building his own coffin
EAST CANTON, Ohio (AP) -- Dick Alexander knows where he's going
when he dies: right into the coffin he's fashioned for himself.
Concerned about burdening his family with a casket's cost, Alexander
spent the last six months building his own. His poplar handiwork
cost $500, much less than the usual retail price. "I had
a lot of fun building it," said the 76-year-old retired carpenter.
"I did slip into it to see if it would fit. No problem."
Alexander is in generally good health, but is philosophical about
his advancing age.
"When you've had 65 to 70 years, that's it. Why worry about
it?" he said. "I've made my peace. I'm a strong Lutheran.
I've got no qualms about death. I'm ready when they are."
The coffin construction falls in step with such pluck. Alexander
said he doesn't make long-range plans, won't buy green bananas
and recently rejected a five-year extended warranty on a new TV.
"How about 90 days?" he told the clerk.