We were approached by Robert Morphet from Joseph A Hey & Son Ltd to see if we could test a very unusual item…….a coffin. Having discussed their proposal we divised a method by which we could load test and certify the coffin to 25 Stone and record the datum's followed by a destruction test. The loadings were applied under the same conditions as if a large body was laid in the chapel of rest for up to three days.

The coffin was loaded to 25 Stone and Datum's recorded over a four day Period, the Datum's moved +/- 3mm with no permanent set. We then increased the load to 30 Stone at the customers request.
Over the next four days the movement was again adjusted another +/- 2mm with no permanent set. We then loaded the coffin to destruction which was 130.6 Stone giving a FOS 5:1 which would result in a SWL 26 Stone. Reports and photo's were given to the customer who was highly delighted with the results.

The coffin was made of recycled paper made in a honeycomb structure with a veneer to give an authentic finish. The customer can arrange reports on request. The work was carried out by Mick Gill at our Mexborough workshop.