Cheer for your favorite team AFTER you are dead...

ooh, ooh, ooh, mommy I want one.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...=/ap/20021119/ap_on_sp_co_ne/missouri_coffins

By AARON KESSLER

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - For fans whose enthusiasm for the home team refuses to die, even after they do, the University of Missouri-Columbia has the solution.



Those looking to extend school spirit beyond the grave can now purchase an officially licensed Missouri coffin.


Linda Gilbert, program director for licensing at Missouri, said the university has licensed Collegiate Memorials of Macon, Ga., to produce the coffins.


Available in various woods and metal, the coffins feature the Missouri insignia sewn into the velvet interior and cost from $1,590 to $2,390.


Collegiate Memorials President Scott Walston said no Missouri coffins have been sold. But Walston said the company is not yet marketing in Missouri.


"We're getting ready to," Walston said. "Missouri approved us in November of 2001, and it takes about a year or two to get set up with a distributor."


However, he said Missouri coffins can be bought directly through Collegiate Memorials.


The company pays a royalty of 7.5 percent to the university, according to Walston. This means the university will make between $120 and $180 on each casket sold, depending on the model. Missouri is also charging the company a $250 annual licensing fee.


"It's one more way to support your school," Walston said.


Collegiate Memorials is not alone in producing college-themed coffins. The Texas-based company White Light makes what it calls "art caskets," which feature elaborate designs painted on the exterior.


Catherine Welpton, office manager at White Light, said the company sells about 50 collegiate coffins annually but doesn't now offer a Missouri version.

In addition, Gilbert said, she has heard of even more spirited funeral products.

"I have heard some schools have caskets that can play the fight song," she said.

Missouri only licenses Collegiate Memorials' version, and Walston said his company's designs are "very traditional."

"We don't do anything outlandish," he said.

In addition to coffins, the company also makes cremation urns, which feature such model names as "The Glory," "The Legacy," and "The Victory." So far, Missouri has only contracted for coffins, Walston said.

He also challenged those who might view college-themed funeral products as bizarre or in bad taste.

"Some people want to give a negative connotation to it, but our customers don't see it that way," Walston said. "It's not about sports, it's not about male or female. It's about people taking pride in their education, and recognizing it helped them achieve in life."

Collegiate Memorials sold its first coffin to University of Nebraska in May 2001. While the company now sells to more than 40 schools across the country, Walston said Nebraska remains his biggest market.

"We've sold about 50 caskets (to them) in the last 12 months," he said.

As far as who actually does the buying, Walston said relatives of alumni are the largest single group.

"The majority of sales are children buying it for their parents," he said.

And do the children discuss it with mom or dad beforehand?

"Not really," Walston said.