The Coffin Door of New England

Old houses often feature architectural elements with evocative names, and one such feature is the "coffin door." Most commonly associated with 18th- and early 19th-century homes in New England, this exterior door is typically positioned at the corner of a side wall, leading directly into the parlor rather than through an entrance hall. Also referred to as a death door, end door, corner door, or funeral door, it reflects past traditions and practical design considerations.

Although the term "coffin door" only emerged in 20th-century architectural descriptions, its connection to funeral customs likely dates back much further. Before funeral homes became widespread, the deceased were typically laid out in the parlor for visitation. The coffin door may have offered a practical means of removing the casket from the house without navigating narrow hallways or maneuvering through the main entrance. While it remains uncertain whether these doors were specifically designed for this purpose, the name has persisted over time.

A few homes in Wilbraham still retain this distinctive architectural feature. Notable examples include the Ensign Abel Bliss House, built in 1745, located at 182 Mountain Road; the Captain Gideon Kibbe House, built circa 1810, at 568 Main Street; and the Warner House, dating back to the 1760s, at 859 Stony Hill Road. These homes serve as enduring testaments to early New England craftsmanship and the traditions that shaped domestic life in Wilbraham.

In grander homes where wakes and funerals were common, a dedicated funeral door in the foyer or hallway provided an additional entrance, allowing for the discreet movement of caskets. This feature underscores the parlor’s historical role as not just a space for hospitality and social gatherings, but also as the solemn heart of mourning rituals.

In 18th-century homes, the parlor (or parlour) was regarded as the most prestigious room in the house, serving as a reflection of the family's wealth and social standing. Guests entering through the front door would often wait in this elegantly furnished space to be received by the master of the house. Families took great pride in displaying their finest furnishings, artwork, and textiles in the parlor, aiming to impress visitors with their taste and affluence.

Levi Bliss’s house played a significant role in both celebration and tragedy. On April 29, 1799, it served as the site of a formal gathering to honor Gordon Bliss’s achievements. The front parlor hosted a tea party for young women, three of whom, along with three young men, drowned in Nine Mile Pond just an hour later. In a heartbreaking turn of events, the same parlor was used just days later for a wake mourning the loss of three Bliss children.

During the Victorian and Gilded Ages, the parlor evolved into an even grander space, adorned with highly ornate decorations and dramatically higher ceilings than the standard seven-foot height of earlier homes. It became the setting for significant social events, from lively receptions and elegant gatherings to somber occasions such as wakes and funerals.

Captain Gideon Kibbe House, built circa 1810 (Old Meeting House Museum)

Warner House, dating back to the 1760s (Register of the Ancestors of Samuel Warner and his Descendants)

Ensign Abel Bliss House, built in 1745 (Massachusetts Historical Commission)