Iron Coffin Cases (see 128, vol. iii. p. 20).— I saw two of these cases in Aberfoyle Churchyard about two years ago. Probably they are still there. J. M*G.
The iron coffin cases referred to in your last are, in Fife at least, generally called Mortsafes. They are used thus, two thick planks are put in the bottom of the grave, underneath and at right angles to where the coffin will be, four strong iron rods, hinged near the upper ends are screwed into the planks, two on each side. The coffin is then lowered, the cage like mortsafe put over it, and the hinged rods, the tops of which interlace bent over' and padlocked, the keys being given to the nearest relation.
The grave is then filled up.
When the mortsafe is removed, the rods are unlocked and unscrewed, the planks being left in situ.
They were, I believe, first used about the time of the resurrectionists Burke and Hare, and others, and are now, I think, quite gone out of use.