Got a request for a realistic replica of a casket cake for a funeral director's 50th bday. They want the casket lid open and want a crushed red velvet casket lining. I have gotten one suggestion for the red velvet lining from a different forum, but would love to hear any ideas you all might have! Also how to make the lid stand wide open??

You can make the lid out of pastillage, that dries very hard and fairly light. Make a template of how large a casket you need and cut the lid accordingly. Let it dry for a couple of days

1 packet gelatin, soften with 3 tablespoons water, add 2 tablespoon lemon juice and warm after 10 minutes until dissolved in a double boiler. Add one generous tablespoon of Glucose, stir well till combined properly. In a bowl, where you have sieved 500 gr powdered icing sugar make a well and pour in the liquid ingredients. Combine with wooden spoon until you can hardly stir, empty bowl onto well powdered tabletop and start kneading in as much icing sugar, until the dough is fairly stiff. You can substitute some of the icing sugar with cornstarch. wrap tightly in at least 2 layers of clingwrap and let it rest for a couple of hours (overnight is better) Pinch off small bits and knead untill it regains some elasticity, roll out and cut. Careful it does surface dry quite fast. If it is too dry, just slightly wet your hands and knead

when lid is dry you can prop it up with a lollipop stick or just rest it along the cake. use flowers to hide the sticks