From LEGO Blocks To Star Trek Ships: The Most Epic Custom Coffins Ever – Including A Massive Cream Donut.

When hundreds of mourners gathered for Phil McLean’s funeral in New Zealand, they weren’t expecting to burst into laughter. But that’s exactly what happened when pallbearers walked in carrying a coffin shaped like a massive cream donut — and honestly, we couldn’t think of a sweeter way to go.

The Story Behind The Donut


Phil McLean wasn’t just your average donut lover. He was a legitimate cream donut connoisseur who traveled across New Zealand with his wife Debra in their motorhome, sampling and comparing donuts in every small town they visited.

His perfect donut? Crunchy on the outside, airy in the middle, and absolutely stuffed with fresh cream.

When Phil was diagnosed with bowel cancer, he decided his final farewell should reflect his passion for pastries.

Working with his wife and cousin Ross Hall, he planned what might be the world’s first donut-shaped coffin.

But the tribute didn’t stop there — the family had 150 actual cream donuts delivered to the funeral from Phil’s favorite bakery, located more than 100 miles away.

The Man Behind The Magic


Meet Ross Hall, the creative genius who made Phil’s donut dreams come true.

Hall runs a company called Dying Art in Auckland, where he’s revolutionizing the funeral industry one outrageous coffin at a time.

“There are people who are happy with a brown mahogany box and that’s great,” says Hall. “But if they want to shout it out, I’m here to do it for them.”

Hall’s portfolio reads like a creative fever dream. We’re talking:

  • A fully detailed sailboat complete with metal railings and pulleys
  • A fire truck
  • A chocolate bar
  • Lego blocks
  • A Matrix-inspired masterpiece
  • Glittering coffins covered in fake jewels
  • Custom designs featuring people’s favorite beaches and vacation spots

These conversation-starting coffins don’t come cheap — prices range from 3,000 to 7,500 New Zealand dollars ($2,100 to $5,400).

But for families looking to celebrate life rather than mourn death, they’re worth every penny.

For Phil’s widow Debra, the donut coffin transformed a day of mourning into a celebration of her husband’s life and humor.

“It overshadowed the sadness and the hard times in the last few weeks,” she shared. “The final memory in everyone’s mind was of that donut, and Phil’s sense of humor.”

As for Hall, he’s already planning his own final statement. He’s told his kids he wants to be buried in a clear coffin wearing nothing but a leopard-pattern G-string.

“The kids say they’re not going,” he laughs. Somehow, we don’t think he’s kidding.