Custom coffin maker with a small workshop

Independent funeral directors, families arranging a funeral themselves, and people planning ahead for their own funeral.

A set price per coffin, with extra for custom finishes, handles, lining and delivery. Regular supply to a few funeral directors helps keep orders steady.

• Woodworking or joinery
• Careful, respectful customer service
• Quoting and managing orders to deadlines

• Council zoning and noise or dust rules for your workshop, check with your local council
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Whether your state has funeral industry rules that affect suppliers, check with your state or territory regulator
• Workplace health and safety with machinery and dust
• Tight turnaround times, funerals can't wait, so plan your capacity
• Emotional strain of the work, and the need for sensitive communication

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your workshop space, machinery and materials. These are estimates only, so get quotes for equipment and timber before committing.

Check council zoning and noise or dust rules for your workshop, and consider public liability and product liability insurance. Check with your state or territory regulator whether funeral industry rules affect suppliers, and plan for workplace health and safety around machinery and dust.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on how many orders you take and the designs you offer. That is revenue, not profit. It typically takes at least around 15 hours a week.