‘You Only Die Once’
By Kelly Jasper
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HARRISONBURG — Under the dust mask, Dan Smucker frowned. “Not smooth enough,” Smucker said as he peeled the fabric from his mouth and flipped the off switch of his power sander.
He set the mask to rest atop his forehead and ran a palm over the walnut planks of wood.
“I’ve only got one chance to get this right,” he said. “You only die once.”
It may seem a little morbid at first. After all, there Smucker stood, hunched over two sawhorses, power tools in hand, building his own coffin.
He’s 89, almost 90, and says he’s bound to need a casket sometime soon. Why, the Harrisonburg man reasoned, couldn’t he make one himself?
Several days a week, Smucker comes to a small, tin-roofed hobby shop just south of the auto-body business, Dan’s Body Service, he opened nearly 50 years ago.
Smucker started the project just a few weeks ago and isn’t sure how long it’ll take to finish. He’s in no rush, though. Already, the casket — which he estimates will cost about $200 — measures more than 6 feet long and 18 inches deep.
It’s an odd sight, Smucker admits. He’s gotten mixed reactions from friends and family, but says he still isn’t sure what the big deal is.
“People buy life insurance. People buy plots,” he said. “One of the most important things about living is planning to die.”
Posted: July 12th, 2007 under work.
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