About four months prior to this event, my brother Teri had asked if his brothers would build his casket for him. Teri was dying from lung failure and knew his time with us would end soon. My oldest brother Tim and I said that we would do it. We procrastinated, I think, as a means of denial. We didnt want our brother to go, and starting this project would be a constant reminder of the inevitable. Needless to say, Teris condition worsened and he once again asked us to make it for him. We promised we would, so we began work on it that next day.
Having no idea where to begin, we turned to the Internet. To no surprise, we found several sites that provided us with detailed drawings and actual dimensions. We also found a site that had all of the hardware, handles, bedsprings, hinges, and locks, which could be purchased. I worked for a lumberyard at the time and brought home several moldings designs to consider as the trim.
My parents live in Florida during the winter. Their garage, however, was the only suitable place to build it. We obtained a key from our aunt Nina, and set up a makeshift worktable.
We had decided to make Teris casket out of oak and maple. Teri had suggested using the scrap melamine board he had in his garage. Melamine board is nothing more than particleboard with white vinyl laminates applied to it. We wanted something more natural looking and that would take a beautiful stain. We met his wishes half way and used the melamine board as the bottom of the casket. Things began very smoothly. We would work on it for 2 to 3 hours every other night or so. We were extremely aware of even the finest details, working toward perfection on every little aspect. This was, after all, my brothers final resting place.
There were three occasions where my brother had mustered up enough strength to come over and see the progress. To our delight, he was absolutely thrilled with the way it was turning out. The last night he came to see the progress was wonderful. He was full of energy, his son-in-law Darrell had come with him, and the four of us laughed and had a good time. No one expected the next turn of events.
The day started as any other Wednesday. Instead of my regular 8 oclock starting time it began at 10. I made my usual rounds, checking my mail, phone messages, and assignments, and then began waiting on customers. About 15 minutes had passed when I heard the familiar Troy, line 2 please. across the speakers. Its funny how things are in life. Never in a million years would I have expected the nature of what that phone call entailed. It was Tina, my wife.
Hunny she began, as do all of our conversations. I have something to tell you. I never sensed anything was wrong by her first word. But when she said she had something to tell me, thats when I could sense something terrible. I could not only hear it in her voice, but also swear I could feel it coming right through the phone. And the anticipation of what she was about to say was no less than watching a horror movie when the eerie music begins to get louder.
Your brother died this morning. she said with great difficulty and much hesitation. Everything around me vanished. I was alone. Everyone who was my friend now felt like complete strangers. I wanted and needed to be comforted by someone, anyone, who was close to me. My wife was there on the phone, but I could not hold her.
What seemed like hours were only minutes. Once the news hit home I regained enough of my composure to let my boss know I was going home, and would return to work that Monday. Judy, the cashier knew something was wrong (apparently obvious as the tears still swelled up in my eyes) and gave me a hug to help ease any pain. Joyce, our yard coordinator did the likewise and said she would handle all of my business affairs for me.
The ride home seemed like I was in an alien world. Nothing seemed familiar to me anymore. My feelings were spiraling around in my head like a hurricane. Just two days prior my brother had come out to the garage to see how his casket was coming along. He appeared to be in better health than what he had been in in a long time. Yet, he was gone. What happened? occupied every aspect of my thinking. Before I knew it, I was in my brother Tims driveway. He was already home.
I walked in and sat down. There was a sense of uncertainty among all of us. It was felt before even a word had been spoken. I had asked what they knew as to the details of his passing. All that was known at that time was that he had fallen out of bed, and in his weakened condition, it was what killed him.
Well, what do you think I asked Tim.
Do you think we can do it he replied in return. Having known exactly what the subject was I was enquiring about.
It would be a shame to stop now. Especially since Teri was so happy with what he saw. Knowing full well completing the task at hand seemed impossible.
When does the funeral home need it by? Tim had asked Linda, his wife. There was a sense of anticipation in his words that her answer would allow us enough time to finish.
5 oclock tomorrow at the latest. 18 hours. We were about a quarter of the way done and had what seemed like 20 hours into it already.
Think we can do it? I asked.
Let me grab a bite to eat real quick. Ill call Chad and Tyler to get them to help and Ill meet you out there. said Tim with some doubt still in his voice.
Ill let Tina know I wont be home until sometime tomorrow and try to get hold of Tracy too. Tracy, another of my brothers lived in Blissfield and had no phone.
When we returned to the garage there was something different. No, nothing was missing, nor out of place. There wasnt anything visually different, but different none the less. You felt it the moment you walked inside. It was a sense of peace. Close your eyes if you will and place yourself alone, deep inside of a forest at the crack of dawn. There is a sense of tranquility that you can feel, yet find hard to describe. That was what was felt that moment in time.
Even the casket itself was different. What was once stood as a symbol of love and granting of a final wish for my brother now towered over us like a monument. It was no longer just wood, nails and glue. It was in fact the first page of the final chapter in Teris life. It was now looked upon as having purpose. The realization of it being his final place of rest hit our hearts with a force immeasurable.
We began work around noon. We had 17 hours to have Teris casket completed. We reassessed the situation, deciding what areas we could cheat on to eliminate time. At that point, the base was put together and the lid was about a third of the way done. Shortly after two my nephews Chad, Tyler, and Greg, along with my brother Tracy and brother-in-law Tom had all arrived. We all chose a particular piece to work on and went to work. With all of us working together we were constant bumping into one anther and knocking things over.
By 7 oclock everyone else had left. Tim and I continued to work through the night. By 5 a.m., we had enough of the casket completed so that the inside could be started. We loaded it into my van and delivered it to Tims house where we set up shop in his living room. His wife Linda, my wife Tina, his neighbor Dinette, and daughter-in-law Toya, all began sewing the mattress, pillow, and lining. Tim and I returned to the garage to begin on the handles.
Everyone continued to work frantically throughout the day. Purse Funeral Home called every hour at first to check on our progress. After 3 p.m. the y began to call every half hour. We continued to assure them that we would have it to them by 5 oclock.
As promised, we dropped the casket off to Purse at 4:45 p.m. We had to carry the casket using old rags because the stain on the handles was still wet.
When we dropped the casket off, the directors at Purse were amazed. They said that they expected our home made casket to look like all the others. They asked us if we would be willing to make more! Hearing that from them sent a reassurance through us knowing we did well. And deep down, we knew that we superceded Teris expectations and that he would be more than pleased with his casket.
Having no idea where to begin, we turned to the Internet. To no surprise, we found several sites that provided us with detailed drawings and actual dimensions. We also found a site that had all of the hardware, handles, bedsprings, hinges, and locks, which could be purchased. I worked for a lumberyard at the time and brought home several moldings designs to consider as the trim.
My parents live in Florida during the winter. Their garage, however, was the only suitable place to build it. We obtained a key from our aunt Nina, and set up a makeshift worktable.
We had decided to make Teris casket out of oak and maple. Teri had suggested using the scrap melamine board he had in his garage. Melamine board is nothing more than particleboard with white vinyl laminates applied to it. We wanted something more natural looking and that would take a beautiful stain. We met his wishes half way and used the melamine board as the bottom of the casket. Things began very smoothly. We would work on it for 2 to 3 hours every other night or so. We were extremely aware of even the finest details, working toward perfection on every little aspect. This was, after all, my brothers final resting place.
There were three occasions where my brother had mustered up enough strength to come over and see the progress. To our delight, he was absolutely thrilled with the way it was turning out. The last night he came to see the progress was wonderful. He was full of energy, his son-in-law Darrell had come with him, and the four of us laughed and had a good time. No one expected the next turn of events.
The day started as any other Wednesday. Instead of my regular 8 oclock starting time it began at 10. I made my usual rounds, checking my mail, phone messages, and assignments, and then began waiting on customers. About 15 minutes had passed when I heard the familiar Troy, line 2 please. across the speakers. Its funny how things are in life. Never in a million years would I have expected the nature of what that phone call entailed. It was Tina, my wife.
Hunny she began, as do all of our conversations. I have something to tell you. I never sensed anything was wrong by her first word. But when she said she had something to tell me, thats when I could sense something terrible. I could not only hear it in her voice, but also swear I could feel it coming right through the phone. And the anticipation of what she was about to say was no less than watching a horror movie when the eerie music begins to get louder.
Your brother died this morning. she said with great difficulty and much hesitation. Everything around me vanished. I was alone. Everyone who was my friend now felt like complete strangers. I wanted and needed to be comforted by someone, anyone, who was close to me. My wife was there on the phone, but I could not hold her.
What seemed like hours were only minutes. Once the news hit home I regained enough of my composure to let my boss know I was going home, and would return to work that Monday. Judy, the cashier knew something was wrong (apparently obvious as the tears still swelled up in my eyes) and gave me a hug to help ease any pain. Joyce, our yard coordinator did the likewise and said she would handle all of my business affairs for me.
The ride home seemed like I was in an alien world. Nothing seemed familiar to me anymore. My feelings were spiraling around in my head like a hurricane. Just two days prior my brother had come out to the garage to see how his casket was coming along. He appeared to be in better health than what he had been in in a long time. Yet, he was gone. What happened? occupied every aspect of my thinking. Before I knew it, I was in my brother Tims driveway. He was already home.
I walked in and sat down. There was a sense of uncertainty among all of us. It was felt before even a word had been spoken. I had asked what they knew as to the details of his passing. All that was known at that time was that he had fallen out of bed, and in his weakened condition, it was what killed him.
Well, what do you think I asked Tim.
Do you think we can do it he replied in return. Having known exactly what the subject was I was enquiring about.
It would be a shame to stop now. Especially since Teri was so happy with what he saw. Knowing full well completing the task at hand seemed impossible.
When does the funeral home need it by? Tim had asked Linda, his wife. There was a sense of anticipation in his words that her answer would allow us enough time to finish.
5 oclock tomorrow at the latest. 18 hours. We were about a quarter of the way done and had what seemed like 20 hours into it already.
Think we can do it? I asked.
Let me grab a bite to eat real quick. Ill call Chad and Tyler to get them to help and Ill meet you out there. said Tim with some doubt still in his voice.
Ill let Tina know I wont be home until sometime tomorrow and try to get hold of Tracy too. Tracy, another of my brothers lived in Blissfield and had no phone.
When we returned to the garage there was something different. No, nothing was missing, nor out of place. There wasnt anything visually different, but different none the less. You felt it the moment you walked inside. It was a sense of peace. Close your eyes if you will and place yourself alone, deep inside of a forest at the crack of dawn. There is a sense of tranquility that you can feel, yet find hard to describe. That was what was felt that moment in time.
Even the casket itself was different. What was once stood as a symbol of love and granting of a final wish for my brother now towered over us like a monument. It was no longer just wood, nails and glue. It was in fact the first page of the final chapter in Teris life. It was now looked upon as having purpose. The realization of it being his final place of rest hit our hearts with a force immeasurable.
We began work around noon. We had 17 hours to have Teris casket completed. We reassessed the situation, deciding what areas we could cheat on to eliminate time. At that point, the base was put together and the lid was about a third of the way done. Shortly after two my nephews Chad, Tyler, and Greg, along with my brother Tracy and brother-in-law Tom had all arrived. We all chose a particular piece to work on and went to work. With all of us working together we were constant bumping into one anther and knocking things over.
By 7 oclock everyone else had left. Tim and I continued to work through the night. By 5 a.m., we had enough of the casket completed so that the inside could be started. We loaded it into my van and delivered it to Tims house where we set up shop in his living room. His wife Linda, my wife Tina, his neighbor Dinette, and daughter-in-law Toya, all began sewing the mattress, pillow, and lining. Tim and I returned to the garage to begin on the handles.
Everyone continued to work frantically throughout the day. Purse Funeral Home called every hour at first to check on our progress. After 3 p.m. the y began to call every half hour. We continued to assure them that we would have it to them by 5 oclock.
As promised, we dropped the casket off to Purse at 4:45 p.m. We had to carry the casket using old rags because the stain on the handles was still wet.
When we dropped the casket off, the directors at Purse were amazed. They said that they expected our home made casket to look like all the others. They asked us if we would be willing to make more! Hearing that from them sent a reassurance through us knowing we did well. And deep down, we knew that we superceded Teris expectations and that he would be more than pleased with his casket.
