I don't even know this guy, and I can't stand him!

Seems more like a conversation killer than a conversation starter. "Hey, Grandma! I thought you could use a new coffee table..." "

Now, I'll admit, after watching my grandmother slowly let herself succumb to lung cancer, I've developed a pretty callous and humorous attitude when it comes to death. (I figure, it's what she would have wanted.)
Don't know how I'd feel about keeping a coffin in my house as a design piece. Especially since the description isn't specific about whether or not there's a body in it while it's developing that wonderful patina he mentions in the second graphic.

anyone else really confused with the side note on the pictures? What is supposed to be in the home? the whole coffin?

What are pix 3 and 4?
The stake that you ram through the vampire's heart?

No thanks. I much prefer the living will, organ donor, body farm donation approach to my eventual remains. "Art" of a funerary nature is just morbid. Anyway, I'm sorry, this is just contrived.

This guy has WAY too much time on his hands.

His website explains the concept in depth and what each piece is. I actually quite like this, and understand his point completely. It's not morbid, it's about accepting death as a fact of life and becoming comfortable with it. Personally I don't think I'd ever purchase it and tell everyone my coffee table is one day going to be my coffin, but I like what he's trying to convey.

i think the piece is original and as outlandish as the designer. i would never ever purchase for my home, however if i saw this piece in a friend's home i see it being a conversation starter.

More important than the actual objects (which are beautiful in themselves), are the ideas they represent. Traditional funerary processes and paraphernalia are deeply in need of design intervention. I commend the endeavor. I also reject the idea that "good design" must only be simple to explain. And actually, these designs are quite simple, it is the concepts that they address which are, I would say inherently complex rather than "too complicated."

You've got to see the web site! The problem here is that the AT write up is incomplete.
Although initially I was aghast, seeing the full concept changed my mind. Its so cool in that it allows the body to face east, and that the open hole provides book (etc) storage. In addition, the AT post shows some of his innovative urns - designed for scattering ashes. Having recently lost my father (OK, nearly 4 years now), I can tell you that we need a new design aesthetic. I think this guy is bold!

Would I buy the casket for my house? Maybe.

I can appreciate this guy's ideas and the desire to "stir a conversation". However, I'm more of the organ donor-cremate-scatter persuasion.

Please don't keep me in an urn on the fireplace mantel.

well done charles

@ sherrybinNH
Contrived is a copout remark. All design, by definition, is contrived.

I read his thesis on the topic. It's actually a very interesting idea. Basically, the piece of furniture (the coffin. He also did a set of urns and burial markers) you are buried in is something you live with during life (which acquires the marks of life: scratches, marks, dents, whatever) and then holds your body until you return to earth. I don't think it's morbid. I'm not brave enough to put it in my house, but still it's a cool idea.

I have another solution to that, it's called cremation. No embalming fluid and next to no space to take up in cemeteries. People can scatter the ashes, keep them or lay people to rest depending on last wishes and preferences.

This may sound a little callous but it's also a huge money saver. Speaking as someone who lost someone suddenly and planned a funeral at a young age I just don't see the purpose to the coffin table unless of course you're a Munster or an Adams.

@leanemarie

Did you even bother to read the copy or look at more than one picture before you posted your comment? It seems like you wrote the Munster/Adams comment first and then the rest to pad your post, bravo!

As far as this project in concerned, I would recommend visiting his website first, as there is a great deal of information missing in this post. All of the pieces are very well researched and executed, and it's nice to see someone take on a serious issue, that is very personal to all of us. Well done.

The best designs are those whose subject matter make us uncomfortable. Very creative !

Art sparks conversation. Based on the many comments this piece has received, it is obvious that it has stirred quite a bit of emotion. As I see it, the designer is suggesting that we take a closer look at our attitudes toward death. It's a cycle of life that we run from but in our not so distant history the death ritual was often performed in the home. (In the living room even). Once we get passed the fear we've created around death, only then will we open up new dialogue. Art should make you think. It worked.

You really have to go to his website to appreciate this fully. I love the ideas here, and I really like the urns. As others have said above, it's about time that we see some new design choices for urns. The current options absolutely suck.

The coffin/table concept is really cool. The look of this particular design wouldn't be right for my current house, but I could see it working well in a more contemporary place. It looks good in the photo of "coffee table" use on the website.

Huh. Me, if I want to spark a conversation about death, I just pull out a Bertrand Russell book, not buy a coffin coffee table. Whatever the demographic for this would be, I'm so far out of it: I don't think I'll return after death, I don't use coffee tables and I won't go in a coffin.

I read his thesis. Maybe it's because I'm a funeral director's wife, but I get it. Good work, Mr. Constantine.

Concept art..gotta love it. I'm personally fond of the organ donation (note to self: stop drinking)/cremation/press-into-cubic-zirconia route. Which lucky relative will get to wear ME ?? And if I WERE going to buy a coffin, I think I'd go the African route, have you seen them? Carved to resemble or depict anything you want to convey you to the afterlife...crocodile, Rolls Royce, or whatnot. And brightly painted ! That's something I wouldn't mind displaying in my home until the time comes.

Go to the web site before you judge. I did a 180 in opinion, and his ideas make good sense. I would like to change my vote to 3 stars.

And personally, one more thing, I would love to get buried in a Hans Wegner Papa bear chair, why not this coffee table?

Phenomenal.

Designer death - sensational!

So, after you die........ your family has to get a new coffee table?

Perhaps the subject matter is beyond most people, or some of us simply don't care enough to look at things beyond a superficial level, but you are really doing yourself a disservice by not at least going to Mr. Constantine's site. Then after that, feel free to act like a punk and post something irrelevant, at least then you will be an informed buffoon.

This rocks.

A really fascinating anthropological study. At first I was confused by its appearance at AT instead of, say, in a gallery, because I just didn't get it as a coffee table. But it's really a beautiful piece, and if it didn't have the dual function of well, holding the dead, everyone posting here would be wishing it was in their living room.

I get it,but I don't like the idea of anything constantly reminding me of my eminent demise!

Chaz - interesting. I read most of your Thesis. I get the idea, but despite the grostesque procedures needed for embalming, it serves a very practical purpose - I.e. it gives out of town relatives a chance to pay their respects to the dearly departed. It certainly is an interesting thing to think about, and the idea of the home funereal is a much more intimate way to celebrate the lives of the dead.

Chas' design serves as a tangible reminder of what is a universal truth - death is inevitable. Instead of seeing it as a morbid obsession, I chose to view it as a vehicle to remind me to embrace and rejoice in the gift of life on a daily basis. None of us, despite our arrogance in thinking contrary, have any control over whether we will take our next breath.

This is where design and art intersect.

Although intended for a home, I see the piece in a museum.