Austrian gets world record for 707,335 coffins

[May 05, 2009]  SALZBURG, Austria (AP) -- An Austrian carpenter has found a macabre way of getting into the Guinness Book of Records: Over a 30-year career, he's built 707,335 coffins.

Officials in Austria's Salzburg province say Herbert Weber has been honored for constructing more caskets than any other known carpenter.

Weber says he started making coffins in May 1978 at Moser Holzindustrie, a woodworking company in Bischofshofen.

Officials said Tuesday they plan to present the 50-year-old carpenter with a certificate from London-based Guinness World Records Ltd.

They've chosen a fitting backdrop: Weber will be feted at the International Funeral Home and Cemetery Trade Fair, which opens Saturday in Salzburg.

[Associated Press]

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