What societal taboos do coffin clubs help overcome?

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Coffin Clubs Help Dissipate Societal Taboos Surrounding Death and Dying

Coffin clubs in New Zealand provide a unique environment for members, predominantly seniors, to openly confront and discuss the often-avoided subjects of death and dying. These groups facilitate a practical and communal approach to end-of-life planning, allowing individuals to actively engage with their mortality through activities like building and decorating their own coffins, thereby empowering them to take control of their final arrangements.
Overcoming the Stigma of Discussing Death

A significant societal taboo that coffin clubs address is the general reluctance and discomfort people experience when discussing death. By creating a dedicated space for weekly meetups, these clubs transform a once-taboo subject into a topic of open conversation. Members, such as Jim Thorne, a 75-year-old participant, note that friends can be initially taken aback by the concept, but the club's environment helps individuals overcome this hesitation. The club secretary, Helen Bromley, observes that members generally accept their mortality, finding comfort and agency in planning their final journey.
Practical Planning and Financial Preparedness

Coffin clubs empower members by encouraging them to proactively plan for both their passing and potential illness. This includes the physical act of constructing a coffin, a tangible step in end-of-life preparation. Furthermore, many members are motivated by a desire to alleviate the financial burden of rising funeral costs for their families. With funerals in New Zealand averaging around NZ$10,000 and coffins ranging from NZ$1,200 to NZ$4,000, the clubs offer a more affordable and personalised option. For a NZ$30 membership fee, the Hastings club provides members with a basic coffin, ready for decoration, at a fraction of the typical retail cost.
Fostering a Lighthearted Approach to Mortality

Contrary to what one might expect, the atmosphere within coffin clubs is far from morbid. Instead, these gatherings are characterised by camaraderie, banter, and a sense of humour, as evidenced by members like 79-year-old Kevin Heyward, who is crafting a coffin shaped like a vintage Austin Healey. The presence of jokes and lighthearted conversation during tea breaks, as noted by Helen Bromley, demonstrates a way to approach the difficult reality of death with a more positive and less fearful outlook. This playful engagement helps demystify the process and makes it more accessible.

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What societal taboos do coffin clubs help overcome?

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