About Us – Our History
The concept of Kiwi Coffin Club dates back to a U3A (University of Third Age) meeting in Rotorua in 2009/10, when someone floated the idea of making their own coffin. By 2010, a small group of like-minded locals had formed a club and were getting started from a carport and garage at a private home. Their aim was simple: to bring conversations about death into the open, and help people think about their end plans and the kind of send-off they’d like.
As the Club grew, it needed a name and a more formal structure, and in 2012 the Kiwi Coffin Club was born. With demand continuing to build, the Club later became a Charitable Trust in 2016, which meant it could accept donations and put proceeds back into the community. One of its earliest (and still ongoing) contributions was donating baby coffins to Rotorua Hospital’s neo-natal department, and this support has since expanded to several other hospitals.
Additional donations today now include Love Soup Rotorua, Big Brother, Big Sister Rotorua and pet coffins. After relocating to 5 Ti Street in 2018 and transforming a warehouse into a purpose-built space, the Club now creates coffins and caskets professionally from start to finish under one roof. With generous community support and a dedicated team of incredible volunteers, the Kiwi Coffin Club is proud to offer beautifully finished coffins and caskets at affordable prices.
How Our Club Works
Choose your coffin or casket
You can choose a fully finished coffin or casket straight off the shelf and have it delivered.
Or
You can choose a basic (bare) coffin that fully meets burial regulations, to use as is, or put your own special finishing touches to it, or those of your loved one.
Or
Order a hand-crafted custom designed coffin that reflects you and your personality.
Or
Join our Club and come along and have a friendly chat, a cup of tea and enjoy our company.
Any donations (including wedding dresses) will be gratefully received.
Shape
Coffins can be standard shape or casket oblong shape.
Construction
Construction can be solid timber, plywood or MDF (most common and cost-effective option.)
Whatever option you choose, the quality will always be to a high standard.
Build time
As we are a volunteer organisation, generally you will need to allow 2-4 weeks for a standard non-urgent coffin. This means then the whole process of building the coffin, painting the coffin, lining the coffin and fitting the hardware can take place with ample time.
If you need a coffin urgently, let us know, as we have stock on hand partially completed, ready to finish off with your colour and lining requirements.
We also cater for your precious wee babes, children and teens who go too soon.
Storage
If needed, we can also store your coffin if you are a person who likes to be prepared. There is a small monthly fee that applies for this service.
How we do it for less
As a Charitable Trust, we have volunteers who generously donate their time and skills to provide a great service with pleasure and great enjoyment. We also have special suppliers that help us keep costs down.
All our beautiful baby coffins are made with the utmost care and love and are donated. Don’t hesitate to call us if you find yourself sadly requiring a baby coffin. Ph 07 3495494.
We also donate to several local charities including Love Soup and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Contact us or drop in to discuss options
Organisations We Donate To
Auckland City Hospital, Auckland DHB
Waitamata DHB Neonatal Unit
Whakatane Hospital Maternity Unit
Rotorua Public Hospital Chaplaincy
Rotorua Public Hospital Neonatal Unit
SANDS
Big Brothers, Big Sisters