Opening an 1800's Cast Iron Coffin

On Christmas day my friends and I from our hearse club, Graveyard Maffia, opened an 1800's cast iron coffin.
Article mentioned:
www.atlasobscura.com/articles...

[@tomcusack884]

Are glass caskets ever going to become popular? Remains to be seen.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

That's hilarious! It's deserving of far more than 1 comment and 5 likes!

[@willdwyer6782]

I see what you did there.

[@mattb1951]

Hello anyone home wakey wakey

[@Point221b]

Excellent! Pure class!

[@dlt215]

Actually they are used in Jamaica.

[@PurityVendetta]

As someone who restores vintage machinery, mainly but not exclusively motorcycles I have to say... There's always one super stubborn screw, bolt or nut! My heart was in my mouth as the old guy was hitting it with the hammer as cast iron is so, so brittle. I was relieved when the heat was applied as it's the only way to loosen a rusted screw. What an amazing antique. I'd love to come across something like that!

[@hollyerinn]

we found it when we bought my hearse from a funeral home that was closing. keep an eye out in your area for similar closings, most folks that own the old homes are looking to sell off old pieces and would gladly give you a tour. we actually got a few really cool pieces from them when they closed.

[@PurityVendetta]

@@hollyerinn I think there may be a lot more of these closures in the US due to the shear size of your country. We also have a business buying and selling industrial tools and machinery and have picked up some nice things from time to time. Some TV programmes here in the UK have made people think everything is very valuable. I'm doing a little job for a friend at the moment restoring a 100 year old cast iron electric fan. That coffin is just such a rare oddity, it's fab!!! 😊 I have to wonder if they exploded as the corpse decomposed. I think weird stuff like that 🤭

[@hollyerinn]

I'd definitely have to agree with you on that, there's at least 3 funeral homes within 4 blocks on my street. And that's just in the tiny town I'm living in. I'm sure the industry is rather different in the UK. I would love to see the fan you're working on, that sounds really cool!! The coffins definitely did explode! From the research I did, depending on if they filled them with gas, or how the body decomposed, there were several cases of them blowing up...which is just insane. I can't imagine the horror of being near one when that happened, or what it would have done to the grounds had it been buried. I think that's a big reason as to why they stopped using them.

[@benewgillian6823]

Looks more like copper to me , cast iron would be super heavy to lift .. Although i could be wrong ..

[@hollyerinn]

@@benewgillian6823 it's incredibly heavy! Despite it's size, it take 3 adults to carry it comfortably.

[@kiracattan4624]

A suggestion for this: Restore it to it's original look and donate it to a museum or something like that. As there aren't that many many coffins like this, it would probably be an interesting exhibition piece. Also, next time you do another thing like this, let your viewers know that it hasn't been used. Would clear up a lot of people with Torches and Pitchforks. :D

[@hollyerinn]

I think my dad plans to at the very least coat it with a clear coat to stop the further deterioration. But he has no plans to sell it or gift it to any museum.

[@jammzy2959]

Exactly

[@thephilpott2194]

Cast iron is fairly stable, as long as it's not somewhere damp it'll be fine insofar as the metal is concerned. Clearcoat will impart a shine which probably isn't what you would want. It's a bit of a work of art, that coffin. @@hollyerinn

[@kenernestnation]

Just released air from the 1800s

[@markanthony9975]

Just the way they sound, I don't think they're scientists and what a missed opportunity

[@TacDyne]

The glass was floppy and loose. It wasn't sealed airtight.

[@MsBizzyGurl]

Ew

[@martyhargroder2481]

Oh no

[@timothyashworth7161]

A construction crew came upon a similar casket in San Francisco while digging a few years back. A 3 yr. old girl from the 1850's was eventually identified, after being reburied. I believe she died from cholera. Great video, so glad I discovered your channel

[@MrVi-qs3md]

Did she look normal or was the remains just skeleton

[@timothyashworth7161]

@@MrVi-qs3md From what I've read, she was amazingly well preserved. I didn't see a photo.

[@arthurspontiacfieroblog]

you don't mean Rosalia Lombardo? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosalia_Lombardo

[@timothyashworth7161]

@@arthurspontiacfieroblog No, that wasn't the child's name.

[@mr.crowley5177]

Edith Howard Cook is the name of the baby girl.

[@gaddyify]

The whole Victorian era is spooky.

[@Lilcountrylilhood]

Wonderful find.That painted wood grain is so beautiful.Thank you for sharing.

[@Not_You_2]

This appears to be a salesman's sample.

[@RowanWarren78]

Or for a child

[@caroltenge5147]

Was the salesman inside?

[@filipematias5127]

Should BE restored and preserved

[@chantalwalcott4671]

In my country in the Caribbean, 33 years ago the same structure of iron cast structure was used to build coffins, the glass everything, only the materials as wood and cloth.

[@cynthiacooper8288]

I’m new, I’m enjoying this! Not so much to see a body because I’ve lost all my birth family, but to learn about the person because if there is a body, she or he is someone’s ancestor, maybe even me because I love genealogy! You all are great, thank so much for your kindness and respect in all ways! Now I’m going to finish watching this video

[@kriscook2423]

How wonderful someone put the cover and the broken handle in there! You can see the original color and what the handle originally looked like brand new. This would've been something I'd love to find and Christmas or not I'd have enjoyed and appreciated everything about it. Thanks for sharing.

[@hollyerinn]

That's what we were thinking. It's almost like it was a bit of a time capsule with the cover being in there. The difference in wear that showed the time between the two was incredible! Thanks for watching, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@broandsisparanormalies9686]

Such a beautiful antique!

[@loricarter2394]

This is super interesting!! Thank you so much for this!! Love from Tennessee ❤️❤️

[@2333jc]

That was a coffin used for people who died of yellow fever and other things, i would not opened with out the proper negative air chamber and gear. You really lucky

[@Thinkoutsidethebox15]

They said it was never used.

[@kman2783]

Lol, you obviously didn't listen very well, it wasn't used dude! More than likely it was a salesman model. 😎

[@willdwyer6782]

Without a host, variola viruses remain viable for 2 to 3 weeks at room temperature. Even if this coffin was used for the body of someone who died of smallpox, there wouldn't be anything contagious inside it.

[@fnersch3367]

I would never use power tools to open an antique like this.

[@fomorians]

ikr? especially one as apparently rare as this

[@stevenrodriguez9655]

Yeah I winced as soon as it transitioned from her talking to the power drill! A little lubricant and a lot of patience with a hand tool. Yikes.

[@kartboarder22g17]

@Mike Owczarzak totally agree they didn't use too powerful of an impact either. Your not gonna damage cast iron.

[@johndunn4228]

Next time they rob a grave try some WD-40

[@sugamai]

@@johndunn4228 but they did

[@owlseye32713]

Did none of the people complaining about opening the coffin notice that it was a windowed coffin? They could see that it was empty by looking in, and they bought it from a funeral home knowing that it was empty used for display model.

[@katherinegilmour181]

I'd said that above your comment as it seems probable. Glad you mentioned the window- I didn't even notice that.

[@madamvaudelune3298]

The glass looks so dull though..and any contents might well have fallen apart orbjust crumbled to dust. Hard to tell; a coffin that old might well have been used at one time as good records are hard to keepbin times of yellow fever, typhoid, influenza, worse pandemics than we have now for sure.

[@RghtBrnd]

@@1973ThunderBirds wear headphones.

[@RghtBrnd]

@@1973ThunderBirds not talking about drowning anything out. Headphones so you don't wake your child with your loud laptop.

[@anderseriksen8726]

Ok, here I am watching someone struggling to loosen a screw from a coffin⚰️I'm on the weird side of youtube again🤣Time to go to bed🛌😴

[@hollyerinn]

hahaha I will gladly take that as a compliment.

[@steveoconnor7069]

Amazingly well preserved.

[@donnaruscher5713]

The original finish was very nice. This was surely a different way to spend Christmas. Thanks for sharing!

[@kiskasweetybelle4503]

This is very educational. I myself just heard of these types of coffins and found little about them. So Having a glimpse into the past by seeing a real one was so fascinating.

[@hollyerinn]

We're glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheWaywardpilgrim]

@@hollyerinn very surprised to see a lining. Always assumed they were bare on the inside. Nice also, to see that someone was smart enough to save that broken handle.

[@hollyerinn]

@@TheWaywardpilgrim ​ that's what we were thinking! When my dad and I first moved it, we heard the rattle inside and were pleasantly surprised to find out that it was the missing handle! I think they're going to try and repair it eventually.

[@melissacoulter3996]

These are typically Fisk coffins. They sometimes have the glass at the top and the bottom. From videos I’ve seen on “Faces of the Forgotten” channel, the bodies look like it was yesterday even being buried over 100 years ago! Flowers look a day old, hair and skin look like it was just yesterday! It’s pretty amazing.

[@mehchocolate1257]

@@hollyerinn isn't this illegal

[@lindawalters1836]

I love old stuff. The older the better! Glad I stumbled on your site.

[@melissasmith3134]

Very fascinating! Thanks for sharing! It's beautiful!

[@blazethealaskanmalamute4633]

Love the ride! I learned how to drive in a 1968 Cadillac Hearse, silver on the outside, red leather in the front & red velvet in the back. We would take it camping cause a twin bed fits perfectly in the back!

[@hollyerinn]

thank you!! that sounds like a gorgeous car! my friends have Cadillac hearse, they're a married couple, it's fun to see them out together with them. I've been planning on taking mine out for a trip eventually once it gets a little warmer. my dad, who also has a hearse, got me a blow-up mattress that fits perfectly in the back.

[@blazethealaskanmalamute4633]

@@hollyerinn the coffin opening was awesome too! I love antique stuff! Thanks for sharing!

[@johncarll2471]

Imagine all the dead people ben in there creepy no way ud catch me sleeping in there .from john from maine penobscot county

[@blazethealaskanmalamute4633]

@@johncarll2471 🤣 well as a young child that grew up in “the bush” aka small villages in Alaska, I didn’t think about it in a morbid way! It was a camping vehicle 😉

[@adelerodriguez2432]

The owner of a funeral home gave a friend of his an unwanted removal car. It was an 86 Caprice Classic Chevy wagon. The friend's daughter was about 10 and refused to ride in it for months!

[@trappedsouth212]

This is a salesman coffin. Small enough to be transported and demonstrated. Probably why it is still above ground.

[@hollyerinn]

Interesting! Can you tell me any more about that? I've never heard of that.

[@geargrinder6248]

@@hollyerinn They were used by salesmen as samples to show the product to morticians, very much like how many funeral homes now will have a corner of several caskets on display to show trim and finishes etc. Back then most wakes and body preparation was done in the deceaseds home. So rather than hauling a full sized coffin around these were used to show product choices and once a coffin was chosen the full size one would be brought to the home.

[@hollyerinn]

@@geargrinder6248 neat! I'll definitely have to look into that!!

[@marielaveau5321]

That's probably true! Lots of products were made in miniature for that very reason. Stoves, and furniture, things like that. 👍

[@trappedsouth212]

Any larger items were always made in miniature. I have seen all types of furniture that were salesmen samples, in miniature. I have seen miniature kitchen appliances as samples also. I don't believe any undertaker would have kept this in stock after paying for it and not used it. This is definitely a very very rare museum piece. In the 19th century many items both metal and lesser woods were hand painted to look like exotic wood. Usually Rosewood. Some very talented faux finishers back in them days.

[@mygrammieis]

Thank you for showing us this ..I. deaf so I'm not sure what you said but the older guy and also younger man seemed to show respect for the ancient Iron coffin sample..hope they spend some money on getting it restored

[@eileenstehr7680]

What a Christmas gift! Truley Fascinating! Thankyou for Sharing!!!

[@davidwood2387]

In Millbury Massachusetts there is a museum on the 2 nd floor of old coffins and all the tools they used .at a funeral home .

[@FacesoftheForgotten]

Fascinating. Always have been intrigued with those Fisk coffins. Would be interesting to see that up close. Nice production!

[@maritadalen7252]

Thank you for sharing the link. This is beautiful.

[@SOADfreakable]

It´s you! I like you!

[@omfug8593]

I want to build one for myself, the thought of rotting away frightens me

[@silentforest7147]

If I am not mistaken, they found that exact type in San Francisco a few years ago- it was in the news around 2016 or so. They were doing renovations of some sort and discovered it.

[@FacesoftheForgotten]

@@silentforest7147 - this is true, a little blonde haired girl. Almost perfectly preserved, surreal

[@juliegogola4647]

I had seen on Tv, that a "cast iron casket" had been found/dug up in a NEW YORK, when a new building was going to be built on that plot of land. At first, after the casket had been opened up, it had been a mystery as to WHO had been in the casket and WHY that Lady had been buried in the EXPENSIVE at the time "Cast iron casket". The Lady that was buried in that cast iron casket was a pretty YOUNG "African American" Lady. And, she had been employed by the company that made the "cast iron caskets', so, they had made sure that she had been buried in one the "cast iron caskets". And as I recall, she had died of an illness that NOT included any "suspicious" causes. BUT, what I REALLY recall is just HOW preserved her body was. IN fact, her corpse had been so well preserved that when her "cast iron casket" was first opened, they'd wondered IF she had only been dead a decade or 2, so, once the cops had found out who she was and when she had died, they'd been shocked. BUT, in the end, it was NOT a case of murder where somebody had killed her, and had buried her body in a surprise place. As I watch THIS video, I am sure that it is NOT about that coffin that was found in the ground in NY City, as they were digging a foundation for a new shyscraper in NY City. This gal seems to be referring to a whole OTHER coffin. I am going to watch this video to find out more about it.

[@olgaochoa5892]

The lady in red"was found in a casket like this , when some workers were digging up back yard, the said she was young and very pretty, but they still didnt know her story.

[@chant2day]

The young African American woman found in NY died from smallpox. She was so well preserved they originally thought she was recently dead . She was found in Elmhurst which originally was Newtown where many newly freed African Americans lived. They figured out who she was through the census, reconstructed her face and she was given a meaningful funeral and returned by African Methodist Church.

[@adelerodriguez2432]

The lady had smallpox, and the authorities sent samples to the CDC to make sure it wasn't still active. It wasn't.

[@kaisakev4468]

Absolutely beautiful!!!!! Great piece of history that should be seen by everyone

[@patriley5136]

Is that all it looks like extra small child or an infant coffin.

[@Nesty9]

on everything with screws theres always one that wont come out easy

[@bradenanderson5087]

That's because nobody uses a star pattern like they should 🤷‍♂️

[@carolinenorman8862]

This belongs in a place where the world can see it . Beautifully made .

[@lydiahubbell6278]

It is, it's on KZbin.

[@scottrichards9674]

Those were really big in the victorian era.

[@1catbrains]

Penetrating oil first , crack screws loose by hand then use impact driver . All those original screws are buggered up now

[@PeetzaPieAmore]

I was thinking the same. Especially after banging on them with a hammer. Heat would have been the more plausible solution from the beginning...

[@thepull-outking5123]

You’ve got that right. “Penetrating”, not “Cutting” oil(one is for ‘penetrating’ things like rust and corrosion, and the other is for ‘cutting’ [screw]threads).

[@ginnymiller2448]

Finally I found my tribe! You people are awesome! I am mechanical and also morbidly curious. This video was fascinating to watch. I laughed with y'all numerous times, then realized I haven't laughed all day. This just made my evening. You have a new fan, liked and subscribed. Keep up the good work!

[@hollyerinn]

thanks so much Ginny! I'm so happy our weirdness made you laugh and brightened your day!!! Glad to have you part of the fam

[@julierauthshaw8556]

I actually saw another video about the Fiske coffin; the family had buried their beloved black maid and nanny in it after she passed from a badly contagious disease.the window was for viewing the deceased prior to burial, and not have the mourners exposed to the possibility of contagion.

[@PHlophe]

Jules, so such thing as beloved Black maid during slavery. she was property. Humanizing slave owners is the real mockery here. We need to accept that horrors of that holocaust . There was no love AT ALL.

[@crazydiamond4565]

@@PHlophe You have drank the Kool aide. Stop trying to start a race argument here. There's enough of that on tv EVERYDAY!🥺🙄

[@ethelrosesalto7542]

Yes Already watch that video too exactly what you have said julie rauth shaw👍... it also tell that the casket is also expensive during that time...at KSC/Knowledge, science, culture Everyday vlog...

[@TheWaywardpilgrim]

@@PHlophe - your ignorance is showing - stick to talking espresso.

[@PHlophe]

@@TheWaywardpilgrim er.. this isn't gone with the wind, sweety . NO such thang as love when by Law you are a property and you WILL be passed down like heirloom. that is .

[@alisongriffin337]

OMG....I’ve just found your channel, I was completely hooked. Definitely pressed the subscribe button.

[@hollyerinn]

Hooray, thank you! Glad to have you around ❤

[@laurenceoconnor6499]

@@hollyerinn I used to live in Allegheny County 19 years ago.

[@gregorymartin6488]

In the mid/late 19th Century cast iron was seen as a wonder material to make just about anything, much the same way as aluminum and chrome was a 100 years later. Iron was used to make middle price range black mantle clocks which was cheaper than black slate or marble and better quality than one made of black painted wood...

[@paxrail]

This is obviously some sort of cremation coffin that can be used again and again. The glass window is so the face can be seen for the service before cremation. The wood cover could be replaced after the service for privacy until the burn and then is likely removed before the burn and goes with the coffin each time it is used. This is a perfect arrangement for someone small who may have been mauled or otherwise torn up that caused the death.

[@GypsieT17]

I would have thought it was to heavy to carry 😕 restoration on this would be nice, wonder if it was well seasoned back in the day 😁 Should have used viniger on the screws!! Beautiful 💕

[@amyjojinkerson6745]

now that's one hell of a Christmas gift

[@patricklamshear1806]

Modern grave robbers in action. 💀💀💀💀

[@loribarker1376]

Just like the one's that are taking the mummies for display.

[@Dallas_K]

Not quite. This was clearly a model that would have been used for selling these back then. Nobody was ever in it.

[@shileyabar3204]

That's why they say you can't take it with you joker

[@madcityobserver6294]

This video brings back memories of Geraldo Rivera's anticlimactic TV broadcast of the opening of mobster Al Capone's treasure vault.

[@katherinegilmour181]

After all I've read on body decomposition after death, I now am realizing cremation isn't such a bad idea. Unbelievable horror, except the process of decomposition... is the truth. It's maddening to think about it. Whah...

[@DavidSmith-sb2ix]

Lead coffins were used long before the 1800s. Metal tombstones were also popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There are some in a cemetery a few blocks from my house.

[@adelerodriguez2432]

Never heard of a metal tombstone before!

[@lt.ripley1590]

The anticipation was something else. It's like you're almost there! Great stuff, they are so creepy. I love VIctoriana but I have a lot of it around me living in the UK. Some of my worst nightmares were about Victorian times. Creepy and Gothic and steam punk before steam punk. I'm an old punk and love this type of thing but I still find it nightmare inducing the Fisk coffin. Clever in a way and would have helped contain disease and reduce the amount of space etc. but there is something almost torture chamber to them. They belong in Medieval times really. Great video.

[@rafxxii]

Interesting video. Thank you for sharing!

[@MysticalMe131]

Just watched your video. And This was The Best Ever.

[@Babette1986]

I think that these types of coffins had their day, they're interesting. I'm glad this one was empty.

[@billstathakos]

I like how 1 wears a mask down to what 2 microns and the other is free wheeling it.

[@craigm2484]

Hey straight away subbed looks very interesting so Thank you.

[@kennysherrill6542]

A very interesting artifact, you have a very unique piece there and I hope you can display it where others can study it. I do Restorations on many old things and I'm glad you got some oil on those bolts, if had of destroyed them you can't go to the hard ware store for more. Find someone who can restore the handle, it can be welded by someone who knows their stuff. Faces of the Forgotten sent me here so I may check out your channel more.👍👍👍👍👍🇺🇸❤

[@jimdavenport4484]

Cast iron is very difficult if not impossible to weld because of the high carbon content

[@nickiealley1995]

It's a beautiful piece. Probably a show piece they couldn't sale because of broken parts.

[@arob312]

This is historically amazing and its a very unique peice and anyone loving the macabre and oddities of the world will love this well done

[@tammystoa3946]

"Bats of a feather"..☠🥰🕸

[@spongebobsqueeze]

That is an absolutely beautiful coffin. Surprisingly like the makers of everything else, there is no pride in workmanship any more.

[@hollyerinn]

agreed!!!

[@1961crosley]

That’s an amazing find! I’m jealous!!

[@donnakawana]

Wow now that's amazing that will clean up really nicely. U even have the pattern for the fabric inside... Really cool!!

[@paulonorato7501]

Now you can buy it for $ 16,000.

[@donnakawana]

If I had 16,000. First I'd stare at it in total disbelief.... Then I'd thank god for my good fortune... Then I'd find a place for me an my son to live cuz we r homeless... Good luck I'm sure there are ppl who will spend $$..

[@christinewhitfeld7939]

I am so glad this coffin was empty because the lack of any shred of respect being shown during the opening was appalling.

[@brandielee7971]

It very likely wouldn't have been for sale if there were human remains inside.

[@ElCid48]

@@brandielee7971 Well, you never know. We're living in very strange times.

[@raymondcaruso507]

Totally agree.

[@patrickolaughlin6027]

If you notice there is glass on the top that they could wipe clean to see what's inside. They already knew there wasn't a body inside.

[@b.mayo97]

Maybe they knew

[@kimberlybates6261]

Hope you are going to restore it. My friend told me back in the day only wealthier families could afford coffins of metal.

[@hollyerinn]

my dad plans to and we'll be making more videos on it in the future :)

[@Kitty-mb4hy]

@@hollyerinn That's cool! You have a new subscriber now 🙂

[@kennethflores93]

In Queens NY a woman was was interred in a iron coffin was unearthed when the local utilities were digging and doing repairs. This was about 2 years ago and from what was said she passed due to small pox and the crazier part was she was in such an extreme preserved state that she appeared to be buried recently rather than the 1870s

[@user-od6tx9ny3o]

There's an old cemetery, very near me, that my father tended to back in the 1950's. The place is located near a very steep hill that runs to the river. Dad said that he remember a flood that started washing away some on the hill and how he saw some caskets floating but some went straight down in because they were the iron type. He said that he and some other workers tried to reach out with long hooked poles, into the river, to grab/drag some of the caskets back but the caskets just crumbled away. I bet if I magnet fished there today I'd probably hit on one of those iron Fisk caskets.

[@hollyerinn]

that's intense!! woah!

[@juliegogola4647]

MY first impression of the coffin was "how TINY it is". And then, it looks like it has a clear glass "window" on the top of it, BUT, nobody seems to have mentioned it at all. They are just spraying some "white Lithium" onto the body of the casket where the metal bolts had been, likely to help open up the casket. At the end of the video, we see that this coffin is empty, an has never been used before. THEN they show a cast iron COVER that fits OVER the glass window of the coffin. It is an interesting video.

[@caroleroseburgh1344]

I was truly hoping that there was not skeletal remains in there ‼️😂😆🤭.👍🏿

[@alleycat616]

And here I was hoping there was because I’m a creep 😆

[@floridaman4596]

id still like to know where the remains went

[@mikaelahauser9415]

@@alleycat616 literally same lmfao

[@ETGamez3]

this is so amezing :D I am tbh jelly that you got such a beautiful unused coffin and so old as well. Beautiful thank you for sharing

[@hollyerinn]

thanks for watching!! :)

[@ETGamez3]

@@hollyerinn you are most welcome ^_^

[@Wootangtw]

Wow… awesome… thanks for the video guys…

[@fadoodle9151]

This is the ultimate Unboxing video

[@suwanneekid2616]

You can dig them up and they are preserved.That little girl in California is the main one.Also look into Clark dome vaults.

[@andreacombs9242]

The 2yr old in San Francisco. They found living relatives of hers

[@OHOWUNEEDIT]

@@andreacombs9242 Huh. Where?

[@andreacombs9242]

@@OHOWUNEEDIT there was a little girl found under a basement of a house in San Francisco. Apparen saqtly her coffin somehow was left behind when an entire cemetery was moved. She died in late 1800's. She was found perfectly preserved in one of these iron coffins

[@andreacombs9242]

@@OHOWUNEEDIT I'm from Sacramento it was big news about 6yrs ago??

[@OHOWUNEEDIT]

@@andreacombs9242 holy moly. I did hear something about a girls coffin being found. I did not know they found family. Thanks

[@saraho5846]

So excited while watching this! Always loosen rusty bolts by hand first. PB blaster it, loosen a little then tighten a little back and forth by hand. I’d never use an impact on old rusty bolts not till you break it loose first. Also tapping with hammer after applying pb blaster helps. If none of that works torch it! ♥️

[@jro7741]

That is a beautiful Fisk Casket. 💙

[@MrMiniman43]

this guy has got no respect what so ever, the way he mocks the dead {6:34/20:01}

[@sweetcheeks89]

If you work with the dead and not a investigator you have to be light hearted about it. Otherwise you could not handle it. It would stay with you and destroy you. Go watch crime scene cleaners.

[@Greymalkin-]

@@sweetcheeks89 except that these people are extremely unprofessional as well as disrespectful.

[@mauzki-]

tbf most morticans have this sense of humour

[@sweetcheeks89]

@@Greymalkin- professional about what exactly?? They bought an empty casket. That they know is empty because there is a little window on the front of it. Not to mention you would feel something in it moving around when carrying it. They are inside their property and thought they would share the video of opening it. People get offended about everything these days. You know who doesn't get offended? Dead people. Like Elsa said. Let it go.

[@Greymalkin-]

@@sweetcheeks89 I wasn't offended. As a historian I just object to the ham-fisted way they tried to open the damn thing like they haven't heard of penetrating oil. No, they just whack at it until it was like watching the Dawn of Man scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey. As custodians of an interesting and fairly rare object in good condition, they should try to preserve it as best they can.

[@theyellyone9852]

I saw several of these in a stone mausoleum in the Laurel Grove cemetery in Savannah. The door of the crypt moved so I pushed it open out of curiosity and saw coffins along the walls and more stacked in the center, so the place was full. There was a baby coffin with the glass window and through it you could see dried flowers and a skull with a baby bonnet and blonde hair. There were windows on some of the coffins on the side shelves where you could see the skulls. A year or two later I took some friends there to show them and upon opening the door, (the name on it was "Groover") there was a skull sitting on top of the baby coffin where someone had pilfered through the coffins and taken out a skull and propped it up. That was very creepy. I took I picture that I have somewhere.

[@ghastlyhaynes]

Would like to see that

[@DaiSenshiMounir]

Bump

[@ucitymetalhead]

That's really interesting.

[@melissacoulter3996]

It’s really odd that there were skulls and bones meaning the bodies had decomposed because with the Fisk coffins they didn’t actually decompose because they were air tight. Sounds like maybe these had been opened or something before you saw them since it doesn’t make sense that all the ones you saw in there were bones. Typically when viewing them, you can research it and read how even the flowers still look like they were put in that day. The people have rosy cheeks and their clothes look new even though these were 100 years old.

[@sisterspooky]

@@melissacoulter3996 - I think it depended on the undertaker, TBH. Air tight doesn’t _stop_ decomposition, it just makes for interesting remains. The bacteria in the gut, unchecked by the immune system, goes wild and the body starts breaking down the tissues. You’d need an anti microbial substance to _stop_ decomposition (in the classic sense). The airtight containers have been known to rupture due to the gasses being released during decomposition. That’s why they’ve now given them ‘gaskets’ to release those gasses. Most everything in the funeral industry is a gimmick. They’ve had some people interred in those Fisk coffins that have not decomposed as a normal body would, but they’re the exception. The rest of them? Nature _will_ take its due course.

[@samanthamatuszak1201]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

Infant and child mortality was very high in the Victorian era, I read somewhere it was a 50% chance of living or dying within the first year. Death didn't discriminate about poverty or wealth - everyone was exposed to all kinds of diseases that are extinct or curable today.

[@hollyerinn]

very true.

[@withoutlimitsbudgets]

The first time I’ve ever heard about the Fisk coffin was when they brought a little girl up in California that had accidentally been forgotten in a cemetery where they moved bodies from that cemetery to another one she was a very young girl from I believe it was the 1860s or 1870s when they had the I believe it was a flood when a dam had broken. When they brought the little girls body back to the surface she was in a Fisk coffin she had blonde curly hair and she looked like she was a sleeping baby her body looked to be in nearly perfect condition. These coffins are amazing for the fact is they are so irritated that the progression of deterioration of the body is so super slow. If they bring these types of coffins back there won’t be any more issues with coffins having bodily fluid leakage or other leakages they won’t be a need to have any kind of burp tape system to the coffin or drainage tubes and things like that. Many times you hear horror stories of peoples coffins exploding or rupturing or whatever and or leaking when you’re either in the ground or in a mausoleum things like that. I would love to have a Fisk coffin when I pass away and have it in a mausoleum hopefully I’ll be able to have this option in the future

[@jamesseaman2950]

That little girl was identified as Edith Cook. A fascinating story. I believe a construction crew found her buried under the floor of a family's garage and the family was forced to keep her in the backyard for a few weeks because of legal red tape. The girl couldn't be legally reburied because she had already been legally buried.

[@withoutlimitsbudgets]

@@jamesseaman2950 thank you for this information. Do you know if she was ever reburied at a cemetery or were they able to find more parents are very dumb and reburied her?

[@withoutlimitsbudgets]

@@jamesseaman2950 thank you so much using that name I looked her up and was able to read all about her. This is absolutely amazing! I am so glad they were able to find a descendent from her and were able to give Edith Cooke her name! I read all about her family just now, and I also read about the history and why she passed away! I appreciate you letting me know this information.

[@LAVirgo67]

A little girl was found almost intact after 100 years in San Francisco and she was buried in a similar coffin. Her coffin was discovered after a homeowner was having work done on their foundation.

[@newzcutter]

I remember that case. They said she looked very well preserved.

[@stephenm8100]

Victorian era and before. If a family had a big property it was a common practice to bury family members at home in the yard. In my old neighborhood there was a street with a lot of old Victorian houses and some of them have graves in the backyard.

[@newzcutter]

@@stephenm8100 Interesting and fascinating!

[@blaiseducdaumont1280]

@@stephenm8100 "bury"

[@adelerodriguez2432]

Some of my cousins were burying garbage in the backyard and dug up human bones by mistake in the 40's or 50's. Someone said a hand had a ring on the ring finger. The police told them to stop digging.

[@doodoomcdoo3994]

Cool, thank you for sharing. 👍

[@hilltopmachineworks2131]

Very cool. As a metal worker I can appreciate the craftsmanship that went into making that.

[@negan6299]

Ummm it’s cast lol. I mean I guess casting iron may have been more difficult in it’s time but today, casting iron is one of the simplest forms of metal work.

[@deefitzgerald2906]

As CREPPY this is ....It was fun to watch you guy’s opening it.....

[@lastwolflord]

Held up pretty well. Wonder how many centuries could go by before it really started to fall apart. Assuming it's not buried in a desert of course. Would last a extremely long time if it was.

[@Swoop187OG187]

What's wrong with people, who buys a coffin anyway? if there's a body in there wouldn't that be kinda morbid and presumably illegal? smh

[@aliekatsmom]

A child coffin. Such a beautiful finish 🙏

[@jasonbrown7258]

Never fails it's always that one last Bolt....

[@Jc-m1a1]

need panther piss aka atf, marvel mystery oil and acetone works great

[@taxidude]

Why people use power tools on old fixtures is beyond me!! I hear the bolts stripping! Hand tools and a little heat to loosen first! OMG, now he's hammering the thread!

[@paxrail]

It was hard to watch these amateurs abusing the bolts.

[@yogibeer9319]

At first I thought it was the Tall Man pulling up to get me at the beginning! 👻 Awesome Video!

[@hollyerinn]

definitely not tall man, just a 5'3" short little woman in a hearse lol but thank you, glad you enjoyed it!!

[@michellethornton4297]

Omg lol I wouldn't like to meet the tall man

[@Rebel9668]

How tall is he? I'm 6'8" myself....but I don't drive a hearse.

[@TiaMargarita]

PHANTASM! One of my fav. Horror B movie!

[@robblack316]

"BOY!!!!!!!"

[@BillyAlabama]

Do you have to season the coffin before using it, like you have to do with cast iron skillets?

[@Allbbrz]

LOL, good one !

[@ogquiria3469]

Not funny @Billy In Alabama

[@S730SD]

There hasn't been any user feedback suggesting that. :)

[@thepull-outking5123]

🤔...🤣

[@MossieLeZurche]

😭😂😂

[@Gargamel19]

i miss my old hearse to be totally honest with you here hahaha it was just like the one you have!!! lol. i used to have an S n S victoria!!

[@TBaker-dx1vc]

I hope you restore this!

[@hollyerinn]

My dad definitely has plans to. Hopefully we'll be able to film some of it.

[@tr7198]

Its a salesman sampler. You showed potential customers if interested . It wasnt popular but available under special order. Then they sealed it up so they wouldn't lose the screws and keep it all together. It was simply forgotten about when newer models came in.

[@ZAV1944]

I believe this is a later model of the Fisk style burial case, the first ones were cast in a way that resembled a shrouded corpse and had a more mummy like appearance.

[@TJS3]

Jeez, that noise is going to wake the dead!

[@hollyerinn]

imagine being there in person! lol!

[@gaynorhorsefield8986]

That was very interesting and exciting. I was waiting with baited breath to see what was inside.. A little disappointing but brilliant. Thanks for that.

[@openthedoor6339]

Same

[@livinglife8333]

I think those coffins were beautiful and unique.

[@shirleyhurd5146]

These should make a comeback. I would like one.

[@hollyerinn]

i just wish more things were stylish like this nowadays. folks put so much more effort into the construction and style of things back then!

[@nancymills1884]

As ‘deathling’ who hung around a Victorian funeral home, so much is fascinating about Victorian funerals. I was going to mention a touch of W-D 40 before beginning would be a good idea since this was in a basement. Also a blast of heat can cause the rust to loosen. Just in case you need to do this again.

[@richsmith7769]

WD-40 is a good degreaser, but horrible as a lubricant. 'lubricates' for a short time, but removes potentially protective Ohio from metal surfaces. Did tests at GM, and defense contractor to verify. A good penetrating oil would be better.

[@honeybee4380]

My grandma died when I was eight I'm 10 now and I'm still sad about it

[@hollyerinn]

I'm sorry to hear that, dear. My gram died when I was 7, so I can relate. It took me a really long time to not feel sad. It's difficult to lose someone, you've just got to keep going and appreciate the family that you still have and hold onto the memories of her that bring you joy.

[@honeybee4380]

@@hollyerinn well I can't relate to you really cuz I never met my other grandma as much as I do my other I live farther away from my other Grandma so I never got to see her that much the only chance I got to see her was when I was 2 years old

[@yoogiu]

@@honeybee4380 I’m very sorry for your loss. I understand how painful it can be, your grandma loves you very very much and will forever be with you. She wouldn’t want you to feel sad, hug your family and tell them you love them.

[@paulgrimm7842]

He’s still near you

[@judythompson479]

My grandma's still alive and she's damn well today in her 70s. I'm 12 years old in the year 2021.

[@sonyasmith2853]

Very cool!

[@notsure5702]

Amazing!!!

[@billbright1755]

They made no bones about it. Those came with an iron clad guarantee. And with the window you could check in from time to time on the dearly departed.

[@johngalt8279]

Actually, with that window, the dearly departed could check on you.

[@BBQNBLUES]

Girl.... Get some hubcaps on that Beautiful Hearse !

[@hollyerinn]

they were just in the back, my dad took them off for some reason i can't remember. but i still have all four, don't worry!

[@cajun2197]

No casket or coffin can prevent putifaction as it starts within the body itself, not needing outside sources. They still sell caskets today claiming to be well sealed to so protect the decedent but it's an unnecessary and expensive choice. Not to mention a sealed casket can actually explode due to a buildup of trapped gases from decomp. Not a wise choice.

[@tommypike8542]

Super cool video! Interesting!