‘Repurposed’ coffins? Mississippi salvage store’s Halloween sale ignites social media

A Mississippi salvage store has decided to sell second-hand coffins in the weeks leading up to Halloween, and social media has just about lost its mind at the idea.

Salvage World in Hattiesburg unveiled the idea in an Oct. 11 Facebook post, which racked up nearly 3,000 reactions and comments in two days.

Many of the responses have included strange questions.

Store officials, sensing an opportunity, have offered equally strange answers — including offers to dig free graves with a purchase.

“You never know what you are going to find at Salvage World!” the company posted. “Kick your Halloween up a notch with a genuine coffin. We have very creepy coffins, caskets and pine boxes waiting for you.”

Prices range from $100 for pine boxes to $295 for coffins, including one that’s pink.

Prices aside, many people have asked one question over and over.

Well, make that two questions: “How does one come across a used casket to put up for sale? Where are the bodies that were in there before?” Shulonda Newsome-Chaffee asked.

Some speculated they were repossessed, but Salvation World assured potential buyers it was nothing so grisly.

They’re technically not “used” coffins. It’s more a matter of “repurposing,” the company said.

“They have never been buried. ... They were rented so maybe many owners,” Salvage World explained.

Although the store pitched the coffins as Halloween decorations, it was noted they might also make good planters, storage boxes and even coffee tables.

That led some to accuse the store of being morbid and perhaps crossing a line.

“There’s definitely a fine line between super freaking awesome and creepy,” the store responded.

“We do get a little freaked out when we close them at night and come back in to the lids being opened.”

This story was originally published October 13, 2022 at 3:46 PM with the headline "‘Repurposed’ coffins? Mississippi salvage store’s Halloween sale ignites social media."