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In the News

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

After Hurricane Katrina wiped out a large portion of St. Joseph Abbey’s profits, the monks decided to go into the coffin-making business to support themselves. Immediately came a cease-and-desist order: In Louisiana, only licensed funeral directors can sell “funeral merchandise.” So after much prayer and two failed attempts to get the law changed, the monks went to federal court.

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Employee Joe Jarrell works on the construction of coffins at St. Joseph Abbey in Covington, La. Since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress coffins. But Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling coffins. After much prayer and two failed attempts to get the Louisiana legislature to change the law, the monks went to federal court.

Sean Gardner / For The Washington Post

Brother Elias Eichorn, the “iron monk” who recently completed the Boston Marathon and is training for a triathlon, sands down handles used to carry coffins.

Brother Elias Eichorn, the “iron monk” who recently completed the Boston Marathon and is training for a triathlon, sands down handles used to carry coffins.

Sean Gardner / For The Washington Post

Sawdust dust covers a crucifix in the Woodworks building at St. Joseph Abbey as Brother Emmanuel Labrise, a fairly recent arrival from Pennsylvania, cuts pieces of wood for a coffin.

Sawdust dust covers a crucifix in the Woodworks building at St. Joseph Abbey as Brother Emmanuel Labrise, a fairly recent arrival from Pennsylvania, cuts pieces of wood for a coffin.

Sean Gardner / For The Washington Post

Brother Emmanuel Labrise lines a coffin with foam. There are two versions, a monastic style with metal handles that sells for $1,500 and a traditional version with wooden rail handles for $2,000.

Brother Emmanuel Labrise lines a coffin with foam. There are two versions, a monastic style with metal handles that sells for $1,500 and a traditional version with wooden rail handles for $2,000.

Sean Gardner / For The Washington Post

Brother Emmanuel Labrise prepares a coffin for lining. Each is blessed and, an in attempt to create the abbey’s own signature, marked with a medal of St. Benedict.

Brother Emmanuel Labrise prepares a coffin for lining. Each is blessed and, an in attempt to create the abbey’s own signature, marked with a medal of St. Benedict.

Sean Gardner / For The Washington Post

The monks of St. Joseph, part of the Order of St. Benedictine, must support themselves. <em>Ora et labora — </em>“prayer and work” — is the order’s motto. Money comes from contributions, the seminary that trains priests, a retreat center and various small enterprises such as a gift shop that features abbey-made Monk Soap

The monks of St. Joseph, part of the Order of St. Benedictine, must support themselves. Ora et labora — “prayer and work” — is the order’s motto. Money comes from contributions, the seminary that trains priests, a retreat center and various small enterprises such as a gift shop that features abbey-made Monk Soap

Sean Gardner / For The Washington Post

Father Jude Israel walks through his class as students take exams at St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College. The monks make some money from the seminary, but the abbey lost a large portion of its income in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina destroyed part of the pine timberlands whose harvest had been profitable.

Father Jude Israel walks through his class as students take exams at St. Joseph Abbey and Seminary College. The monks make some money from the seminary, but the abbey lost a large portion of its income in 2005, when Hurricane Katrina destroyed part of the pine timberlands whose harvest had been profitable.

Sean Gardner / For The Washington Post

Father Ambrose Wathem organizes library books at St. Joseph Abbey.

Father Ambrose Wathem organizes library books at St. Joseph Abbey.

Sean Gardner / For The Washington Post

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