Coffins & Caskets
A coffin is one of the most versatile props in a yard haunt. It can stand alone, hold a skeleton or corpse, serve as a candy distribution point, or house a pop-up scare mechanism. The traditional hexagonal "toe-pincher" coffin shape is recognizable and relatively simple to build from plywood or even foam board.
Plywood Coffin Build
Materials
- One sheet of 1/2" plywood (4x8 feet)
- Wood screws (1.25" and 2")
- Wood glue
- Hinges (2) for the lid
- Exterior latex paint
- Optional: trim molding, handles
Dimensions
Standard toe-pincher coffin dimensions that fit on a single sheet of plywood:
- Length: 72 inches
- Width at shoulders: 24 inches
- Width at head: 12 inches
- Width at foot: 10 inches
- Depth (sides): 12 inches
Cut two identical hexagonal shapes for the top and bottom, then cut side strips. Assemble with glue and screws. The joint at the shoulder angle is the trickiest part — pre-drill to avoid splitting.
Finishing
Paint with flat black or dark brown exterior latex. Weather it with dry-brushed gray and brown to look old. Add trim molding and cheap cabinet handles for a finished look. Line the interior with red or purple fabric from a thrift store for maximum visual impact when the lid is open.
Foam Board Coffin
For a lightweight alternative (good for wall mounting or carrying), build from rigid foam insulation using the same dimensions. Use the foam carving method. Join panels with foam-safe adhesive and wooden dowels through the joints for reinforcement. Paint to look like wood grain using a dry brush technique (see painting guide).
Pop-Up Coffin
A coffin with a lid that opens and a figure that rises out is a top-tier scare. This requires a pneumatic cylinder or a motor-driven mechanism inside, connected to a trigger. The lid opens on hinges, the figure rises, holds for a moment, then retracts. This is an advanced build but the payoff is huge.