THE NEW WICKER REMOVAL CASKET

The Meek Funeral Home from across the street just donated a beautiful, rare "wicker removal casket" to the hotel.  It now is on display in the Poe Room.

One of these was recently on sale on Ebay.  This is the photo from their sale, and their funny description:

"This is an Original 1890's Wicker Removal Basket, or Casket, Coffin. This was used to remove someone from their place of death and taken to the funeral home in, or where ever the place of body preparation was to be done. Sometimes people were viewed in this basket before being put in a permanent coffin. In most cases these were not used to bury people in. This one is marked on the bottom, Durfee Embalming Co. Grand Rapids Michigan. Measures about 6'-7" long, 24" to 22" wide, and 16" tall. Very Clean and Sturdy for its age, just a few broken places in the wicker, has its original hardware. The top will come completely off. The bottom veneer shows some seperation, and the bottom is missing one brace. This is a very unitique item, that could be used as a coffee table, or a great storage chest for blankets and linens."