DIY Build a Dog Casket

It's always tragic to lose a dog. Coping with the loss of such a beloved member of your family can be very painful and always takes time. One way to help the grieving process is to have some sort of burial ceremony for your departed pet. Making a special casket for your dog can make this ceremony all the more meaningful.

  1. Gathering Materials

    • There are many materials you could use for your dog's casket, but the easiest and most durable is hardwood veneered plywood. Using this type of wood eliminates the need for operations such as milling and edge-gluing, which require significantly more sophisticated tools. Choose between the many species of veneered plywood offered at your local hardware store, which may include oak, ash, cherry, maple or birch. While you're there, buy some matching veneer edging tape. This will come in a roll that must be cut to length and then glued on.

      You'll also need a circular saw (or, ideally, a table saw), some plug-covered screws for the corner joinery, and a wood-finishing product.

    Cutting the Pieces

    • You'll need to take measurements of your dog before cutting the wood. The inside width should be four inches longer than your pet's height, head to paw; the length should be about six inches longer than your dog's, snout to tail. Two feet should do for the height for most dogs; customize this if your dog is unusually large or small.

      Make a few practice cuts with your saw before beginning the project. Draw the measurements on your sheets of plywood, and cut the six pieces you'll need: two lengths (length by height), two ends (width by height) and the top and bottom (length by width).

      Join the corners together with the screws, and seal all edges with veneer tape. Once you've applied the glue to the tape, let it set for at least 24 hours.

    Decorating and Finishing

    • Consider applying some moldings to the finished casket to give it a unique, visually interesting appearance. Also consider engraving a special message or design with incised carving. Create your design on your computer, print it out, and attach it with rubber cement to the area where you want to it to appear. Then, carve right through the pattern using a chip-carving knife.

      When finished, apply wood finish, then wipe off the excess after 10 minutes. Let this dry for 24 hours before putting the casket in the earth.