A growing demand

PEOSTA, Iowa -- Some monks make cheesecakes to supplement their income. Others breed German shepherds or market Tex-Mex food. But the 36 monks at the New Melleray Abbey are marketing a more novel item: Trappist Caskets. And business is flourishing.

The monastery in northeast Iowa is surrounded by a 4,000-acre farm, a small orchard and private forest that supplies the lumber. Down a narrow drive, away from the main building, the monks and three lay workers assemble and store pine, oak and black walnut coffins.

Secluded in their hand-chiseled, 150-year-old stone building, the monks hope to build 300 caskets this year and double that in 2002.

Sam Mulgrew, who manages operations for the nation's only coffin-making monks, said the caskets are an expression of their philosophy and are meeting a growing demand.

"Spiritually, it was a good fit for them," he said.

Brother William Burns, 58, said casket-building ties in with the monastic principle about death.

"You live your life, not in fear of death, but knowing that death is part of everyone's experience," he said. "In American society death is avoided. We try to make it go away. As monastics, we face the reality of death and overcome the fear of it and understand it."

The monks have been building caskets for their own members for 150 years but the commercial venture is only two years old. Nonetheless, the marketing methods show modern savvy. Caskets can be shipped overnight anywhere in the country and -- although most are sold on an as-needed basis -- the monks are expanding their business.

Mulgrew, 38, began making caskets six years ago after moving to a farm on the Maquoketa River, about 30 miles south of the monastery.

With no woodworking experience, Mulgrew bought some plans, tools and turned a barn into a wood shop. Two years ago, he brought his idea to the monastery. They bought him out and hired Mulgrew to oversee the business.

Today, the monks, who trade in their robes for work clothes, have trouble keeping up with sales. Daily work shifts are planned around several hours of prayer and private meditation.

The monks aim only to generate enough income to cover the costs of materials and labor of the lay employees, and provide a little extra to supplement their needs, Mulgrew said. The coffins sell for up to $1,500 but many, such as infant caskets, are donated.

"When I meet people, they are so moved by the work we're doing, and they are surprised by it, it really touches them," Burns said. "I feel rather fulfilled by doing something that other people find a spiritual benefit from."