Firm comes up with morbid way to keep funeral costs down

 The coffin has a viewing hatch and decorative tassel [Photo: Courtesy]

A Japanese company has come up with an ingenious if a tad morbid, way to keep funeral costs down - a build-your-own funeral kit.

The thrifty kit, eerily reminiscent of an Airfix model, contains everything you need to go six feet under with ease, and costs roughly £256 (shipping costs not included).

Though the kit does have some additional costs, such as ground rental and burial costs, the idea could, in theory, save grieving relatives thousands.

Though you may have to have a living person handy to assemble your coffin, and the company are quite clear that you should NOT attempt at home burials or cremations (even if you do love a bargain).

 A do-it-yourself kit funeral kit produced by a Nagano-based company is now on sale in Japan [Photo: Courtesy]

You also need to have a mortician handy for the embalming, and someone with experience in cosmetic preparation, as being handy with a Naked Palette doesn't exactly qualify you for that.

A do-it-yourself kit funeral kit produced by a Nagano-based company is now on sale in Japan.

Shinohara Norifumi, the CEO of Tsubasa Public Utility Co, who manufacture the kits said: "This manual contains information on how to carry the body, how to lay it down, and when actually cremating, how to make an appointment, how to pay, how to do it at the crematory, those things are explained."

He demonstrated how everything worked, with the slightly alarming vigour of a student building an IKEA Billy Bookcase.

 Norifumi, demonstrates how the kit folds together [Photo: Ruptly]

Gesturing to the large wooden pieces (that appeared to be some sort of plywood) Norifumi explained how the sides of the coffin simply 'pop up' to create a sturdy frame.

The person building the coffin then merely needs to slide each of the end panels in place.

There is even the option for an open casket ceremony as the coffin comes with a viewing hatch of sorts, adorned with two small decorative tassels.

Then it is up to the builder to fit the mattress within the base, and a small comforter blanket and head pillow can be placed inside.

The coffin is suitable for a traditional burial and also comes with an optional urn if the deceased has opted for cremation.

 The coffin comes fitted with trim and contains a head pillow and duvet [Photo: Courtesy]

The DIY handbook also contains instructions on ceremonial rites, that can help put the soul of the departed to rest.

Norifumi added that: "Funerals are very expensive and are a big burden in Japan. The average funeral cost in Japan is about 1.5 million ($13,746; €12,275) yen recently, and if you use such DIY set, it can be done for less than 30,000 yen ($275; €256)."