Replica of Lincoln's coffin on display at funeral home

A replica of President Abraham Lincoln's original coffin will be on display today and Wednesday in Dyersburg Funeral Home, 420 U.S. Highway 51 Bypass.

An unusual Presidents Day exhibit will be set up today and Wednesday at Dyersburg Funeral Home, 420 U.S. Highway 51 Bypass.

A replica of President Abraham Lincoln's coffin - one of the most elaborate coffins of its time - will be available for viewing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

The coffin was constructed of solid walnut, lined with lead and completely covered in expensive black cloth. It is 6 feet, 6 inches long and is decorated with sterling silver handles and studs. The center of the original lid showcases a shield outlined in sterling silver studs and a sterling silver plate bearing the inscription: "Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States, Born: February 12, 1809; Died: April 15, 1865." The replica does not bear the nameplate.

An Illinois museum asked the Batesville Casket Company to create a replica of Lincoln's coffin for an exhibit in 1984. Batesville obtained records of the exact dimensions and materials used in the original coffin in 1993. Five such replicas now exist. One is on display in the museum, and four more travel the nation. The traveling coffins are usually displayed in funeral homes, but may also be shown in historical museums and during Lincoln-related events. The coffins are popular, with a waiting list that stretches through 2011, according to a press release from the Batesville Casket Company. The most-requested months are February (for Lincoln's birthday and Presidents Day) and April (the anniversary of Lincoln's death).

Traveling coffins may sound odd, but Lincoln's original coffin was well traveled before it finally rested in peace. The president's funeral procession and public viewings lasted until May 4, 1865, when he was buried for the first time in Springfield, Ill. He was disinterred and buried four more times, the last occurring on Sept. 26, 1901.

A brochure describing the funeral procession and burials reported two public viewings were held in Washington after Lincoln's death. The first, on April 18, 1865, was in the White House. The second took place the following day in the Capitol.

Lincoln's funeral train departed for Springfield, Ill., on April 21, 1865. "The funeral train would travel the route that Lincoln had made as president-elect. The only changes to the route were the omission of Cincinnati and Pittsburgh and the addition of Chicago. President Lincoln's son William "Willie" Lincoln, who died in 1862, was disinterred and placed on the funeral train to be buried with his father in Springfield.

"Large funeral processions were held at each major stop along the funeral route, as the coffin was transported from the train to the place of public viewing. Cleveland, Ohio, was the only city to hold its public viewing outdoors, as they did not have a building large enough to accommodate the large crowds of mourners. Finally, on May 3, 1865, the funeral train reached its final destination of Springfield."

On May 4, 1865, President Lincoln and his son were placed in a temporary vault at Oak Ridge Cemetery. The Lincoln tomb was not completed until 1874.

"In 1876, when a counterfeiting ring's top engraver was imprisoned, his gang decided to break into the tomb and steal the body," the brochure said. "They planned to hold it for a ransom of $200,000 in gold and the freedom of the engraver. As the body was being removed from the tomb, the plot was foiled when lawmen made their move.

"In 1900, President Lincoln's son, Robert, was afraid that more attempts to steal the president's body would be made. He decided that the new burial chamber was inadequate and plans were made to permanently protect the president from any future attempts to enter the grave. It was during this time of construction that the coffin of President Lincoln was opened. A select few had the opportunity to view the body of President Lincoln one last time. The reasoning for this was to ensure that previous attempts to steal the body of President Lincoln were not successful. It was determined that the body in the coffin was indeed that of the president. His appearance had not changed much since that of his original burial in 1865. The new monument wouldn't be completed until 1901, so again, President Lincoln's coffin was placed in a temporary grave with his son's coffin."

The president and his son were permanently buried on Sept. 26, 1901, in a cage 10 feet deep and encased in 4,000 pounds of concrete.

"It could be said that Abraham Lincoln's death triggered the beginning of the modern day funeral service," the brochure said. "President Lincoln was the first public figure to be embalmed and put on view for almost three weeks. The embalming technique used on President Lincoln was primarily used on soldiers who died during the Civil War and needed to be transported home for burial. Being able to view the body of extended periods of time without being iced was the precursor for modern day funeral services. People at that time thought embalming was a barbaric violation of the body, but Lincoln's funeral had changed that perception. President Lincoln's public viewing introduced the population to the benefits of embalming. Mourners were able to see the late president for 20 days and embalming made it possible."