Help Me Build the Hummeldorf Coffin Company

A hands-on beginning for a more humane future in death care

Hi, my name is Miranda Hummeldorf. I’m a licensed embalmer and funeral director, a mother, an artist, and someone who works with death every single day.

I’m starting Hummeldorf Coffin Company out of my backyard workshop and shed — not as an endpoint, but as the foundation of something bigger.

This is the base level.

The place where meaningful death care begins: with hands, honesty, and intention.

Why coffins — and why now

After years in funeral service, I’ve seen how disconnected death care can feel. Families are often rushed, given limited options, and expected to make deeply personal decisions in systems that feel cold and transactional.

I want to do this differently.

A coffin isn’t just a product.

It’s a final container for a human life.

By focusing on all-wood designs, I’m creating coffins that respectfully serve a wide range of beliefs and practices, including:

• Jewish burial traditions

• Green and natural burial

• Cremation

• And families seeking something simple, honest, and non-industrial

All-wood construction allows for dignity without excess, tradition without rigidity, and flexibility without compromise — making these coffins appropriate for many faiths, cultures, and personal values.

Facing death by participating in it

One of the most powerful ways to remove fear from death is to face it.

That’s why this project goes beyond selling coffins.

I plan to offer:

• Coffin-building workshops, where individuals and families can build their own coffin or one for someone they love

• Coffin kits for those who want to build at home, in their own time, in their own way

• Open-ended creative freedom — paint it, write on it, leave it plain, make it yours

Building a coffin is not morbid.

It’s grounding.

It’s honest.

It allows people to engage with the reality of death in a way that is empowering rather than frightening.

A beginning, not the end

Hummeldorf Coffin Company is the starting point for expanding death-care options that are more human, more transparent, and more compassionate.

This is how change happens — not all at once, but by starting small, working with your hands, and doing the work with care.

Why I need help

I’m building this from the ground up — literally. Funds raised will go toward:

• Lumber, hardware, and sustainable materials

• Tools and equipment for my workshop

• Safety upgrades and workspace setup

• Permits, licensing, and basic business expenses

• Initial inventory for coffins and coffin kits

There’s no corporation behind this. No funeral conglomerate. Just one mortician choosing to start where she can and build outward.

Why this matters

Every person dies.

Very few are allowed to truly engage with that reality before it happens.

I believe death care should invite participation, not avoidance.

Craftsmanship, not mass production.

Humanity, not fear.

If you believe in expanding choices, honoring the dead with intention, or supporting someone working to change death care from the inside — I’d be deeply grateful for your support.

Thank you for helping me build something meaningful, one piece at a time.

With love and intention,

Miranda

Why $18,000? Where the Funds Will Go

Hummeldorf Coffin Company is being built intentionally and responsibly, starting at a small, hands-on scale. The $18,000 goal allows me to safely and legally establish the foundation of the company, create initial inventory, and begin offering coffins, coffin kits, and workshops.

Materials & Production – $5,000

• All-wood lumber for coffin builds

• Sustainable materials suitable for Jewish burial, green burial, and cremation

• Hardware, fasteners, and finishing materials

• Initial materials for coffin kits

This ensures I can produce multiple coffins and kits without cutting corners or compromising dignity.

Tools & Workshop Equipment – $4,000

• Essential woodworking tools

• Jigs, clamps, saws, and hand tools

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Tool upgrades to allow consistent, safe production

This allows me to work efficiently, safely, and independently from day one.

Workshop & Safety Setup – $2,000

• Upgrading my backyard shed into a functional workshop

• Electrical, lighting, ventilation, and safety improvements

• Storage solutions for materials and finished pieces

A safe workspace is essential — not just for me, but for future workshops.

Legal, Permits & Business Setup – $2,000

• Required permits and licensing

• Insurance coverage

• Business registration and compliance costs

This ensures everything is done correctly, ethically, and above board.

️ Branding & Basic Infrastructure – $1,500

• Simple website and domain

• Branding basics (logo, stamps, packaging)

• Informational materials for families and funeral homes

The goal is clarity and professionalism — not excess.

⚙️ Cushion, Fees & First Inventory Support – $3,500

• GoFundMe platform fees

• Taxes and processing costs

• Contingency buffer for supply fluctuations

• Support for initial inventory expansion

This keeps the project stable and sustainable during launch.

Total: $18,000

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This Is the Beginning — Not the Finish Line

Hummeldorf Coffin Company is the starting point for expanding death-care options that are more human, transparent, and accessible.

As the company grows, my long-term vision includes:

Expanded Participation in Death Care

• Regular coffin-building workshops

• Sliding-scale options so cost is not a barrier

• Community-based education around death and dying

Integrating Technology Thoughtfully

Technology in death care doesn’t have to replace humanity — it can support it.

Future goals include:

• Digital planning tools that help families understand options without pressure

• Transparent pricing and educational platforms

• Remote participation for families who can’t be physically present

• Improved documentation and accessibility for underserved or distant families

⚰️ Funeral Service Innovation

Beyond coffins, I envision exploring:

• Creative, family-led memorial options

• Environmentally conscious death-care solutions

• Open-source tools and resources for families navigating loss

• New models that prioritize care over consumption

All innovation will be guided by one principle: humanity first.

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Why This Matters

Death care doesn’t need to be cold, confusing, or inaccessible.

By starting small — with wood, tools, and hands — I’m laying the groundwork for something that can grow responsibly and ethically over time.

If you’re supporting this fundraiser, you’re not just helping build coffins.

You’re helping push death care forward.

Thank you for being part of the beginning.