The Kawerau Coffin Club began quite humbly, over four years ago, with no resources or equipment, but a strong desire to craft their own ‘underground furniture’ and to help others at a time of emotional and financial stress.

Over time the membership grew, the tool kit expanded, and patterns were created for all sizes and shapes. New members were welcomed and there was always a cuppa and biscuit available when they came together two mornings a week to work on their projects.  There were many very creative caskets, each reflecting the personality of the maker, along with a standard pattern that the core members made for those who wanted a casket, but did not have the skills, inclination or time to make one for themselves or their loved ones.

The club members also made and supplied beautifully crafted angel caskets for stillbirths and infants, lined with satin and lace, and complete with a tiny gown to the maternity unit in Whakatane.

Committee members Basil Rosie, Lawrence Boynton, Graham and Robyn Goodall have made the call to close the club, due to a current lack of interest in the community to continue. Tools and timber have been shared within the community and with the Gisborne Coffin Club, which is in its infancy.

Over the time of operation any profits made from the sale of caskets have been shared with the Kawerau community, supporting St John Youth Cadets, Cottage Crafts, The Blokes Shed, The Kawerau Arts Society, Keep Kawerau Beautiful, The House of Hope Foodbank and the Animal Welfare Fund at the Kawerau SPCA .

After learning about the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, at a Friendship Club meeting, the committee members decided to gift the remaining funds to seed a Kawerau Community Endowment Fund, in the hope that others will add to their legacy and a robust fund can be built to provide ongoing benefits to the community they belong to, for the long term. Details can be found on the Foundation website:

The Kawerau Coffin Club began quite humbly, over four years ago, with no resources or equipment, but a strong desire to craft their own ‘underground furniture’ and to help others at a time of emotional and financial stress.

Over time the membership grew, the tool kit expanded, and patterns were created for all sizes and shapes. New members were welcomed and there was always a cuppa and biscuit available when they came together two mornings a week to work on their projects.  There were many very creative caskets, each reflecting the personality of the maker, along with a standard pattern that the core members made for those who wanted a casket, but did not have the skills, inclination or time to make one for themselves or their loved ones.

The club members also made and supplied beautifully crafted angel caskets for stillbirths and infants, lined with satin and lace, and complete with a tiny gown to the maternity unit in Whakatane.

Committee members Basil Rosie, Lawrence Boynton, Graham and Robyn Goodall have made the call to close the club, due to a current lack of interest in the community to continue. Tools and timber have been shared within the community and with the Gisborne Coffin Club, which is in its infancy.

Over the time of operation any profits made from the sale of caskets have been shared with the Kawerau community, supporting St John Youth Cadets, Cottage Crafts, The Blokes Shed, The Kawerau Arts Society, Keep Kawerau Beautiful, The House of Hope Foodbank and the Animal Welfare Fund at the Kawerau SPCA .

After learning about the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, at a Friendship Club meeting, the committee members decided to gift the remaining funds to seed a Kawerau Community Endowment Fund, in the hope that others will add to their legacy and a robust fund can be built to provide ongoing benefits to the community they belong to, for the long term. Details can be found on the Foundation website:

The Kawerau Coffin Club began quite humbly, over four years ago, with no resources or equipment, but a strong desire to craft their own ‘underground furniture’ and to help others at a time of emotional and financial stress.

Over time the membership grew, the tool kit expanded, and patterns were created for all sizes and shapes. New members were welcomed and there was always a cuppa and biscuit available when they came together two mornings a week to work on their projects.  There were many very creative caskets, each reflecting the personality of the maker, along with a standard pattern that the core members made for those who wanted a casket, but did not have the skills, inclination or time to make one for themselves or their loved ones.

The club members also made and supplied beautifully crafted angel caskets for stillbirths and infants, lined with satin and lace, and complete with a tiny gown to the maternity unit in Whakatane.

Committee members Basil Rosie, Lawrence Boynton, Graham and Robyn Goodall have made the call to close the club, due to a current lack of interest in the community to continue. Tools and timber have been shared within the community and with the Gisborne Coffin Club, which is in its infancy.

Over the time of operation any profits made from the sale of caskets have been shared with the Kawerau community, supporting St John Youth Cadets, Cottage Crafts, The Blokes Shed, The Kawerau Arts Society, Keep Kawerau Beautiful, The House of Hope Foodbank and the Animal Welfare Fund at the Kawerau SPCA .

After learning about the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, at a Friendship Club meeting, the committee members decided to gift the remaining funds to seed a Kawerau Community Endowment Fund, in the hope that others will add to their legacy and a robust fund can be built to provide ongoing benefits to the community they belong to, for the long term. Details can be found on the Foundation website:

The Kawerau Coffin Club began quite humbly, over four years ago, with no resources or equipment, but a strong desire to craft their own ‘underground furniture’ and to help others at a time of emotional and financial stress.

Over time the membership grew, the tool kit expanded, and patterns were created for all sizes and shapes. New members were welcomed and there was always a cuppa and biscuit available when they came together two mornings a week to work on their projects.  There were many very creative caskets, each reflecting the personality of the maker, along with a standard pattern that the core members made for those who wanted a casket, but did not have the skills, inclination or time to make one for themselves or their loved ones.

The club members also made and supplied beautifully crafted angel caskets for stillbirths and infants, lined with satin and lace, and complete with a tiny gown to the maternity unit in Whakatane.

Committee members Basil Rosie, Lawrence Boynton, Graham and Robyn Goodall have made the call to close the club, due to a current lack of interest in the community to continue. Tools and timber have been shared within the community and with the Gisborne Coffin Club, which is in its infancy.

Over the time of operation any profits made from the sale of caskets have been shared with the Kawerau community, supporting St John Youth Cadets, Cottage Crafts, The Blokes Shed, The Kawerau Arts Society, Keep Kawerau Beautiful, The House of Hope Foodbank and the Animal Welfare Fund at the Kawerau SPCA .

After learning about the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, at a Friendship Club meeting, the committee members decided to gift the remaining funds to seed a Kawerau Community Endowment Fund, in the hope that others will add to their legacy and a robust fund can be built to provide ongoing benefits to the community they belong to, for the long term. Details can be found on the Foundation website:

The Kawerau Coffin Club began quite humbly, over four years ago, with no resources or equipment, but a strong desire to craft their own ‘underground furniture’ and to help others at a time of emotional and financial stress.

Over time the membership grew, the tool kit expanded, and patterns were created for all sizes and shapes. New members were welcomed and there was always a cuppa and biscuit available when they came together two mornings a week to work on their projects.  There were many very creative caskets, each reflecting the personality of the maker, along with a standard pattern that the core members made for those who wanted a casket, but did not have the skills, inclination or time to make one for themselves or their loved ones.

The club members also made and supplied beautifully crafted angel caskets for stillbirths and infants, lined with satin and lace, and complete with a tiny gown to the maternity unit in Whakatane.

Committee members Basil Rosie, Lawrence Boynton, Graham and Robyn Goodall have made the call to close the club, due to a current lack of interest in the community to continue. Tools and timber have been shared within the community and with the Gisborne Coffin Club, which is in its infancy.

Over the time of operation any profits made from the sale of caskets have been shared with the Kawerau community, supporting St John Youth Cadets, Cottage Crafts, The Blokes Shed, The Kawerau Arts Society, Keep Kawerau Beautiful, The House of Hope Foodbank and the Animal Welfare Fund at the Kawerau SPCA .

After learning about the Eastern Bay Community Foundation, at a Friendship Club meeting, the committee members decided to gift the remaining funds to seed a Kawerau Community Endowment Fund, in the hope that others will add to their legacy and a robust fund can be built to provide ongoing benefits to the community they belong to, for the long term.