Is this the most creative hearse ever? Meet Engine 710’s Defender funeral car

Ever seen a Jaguar XJ hearse and wondered if there’s a less cliché, more exciting solution to dealing with the inevitable? This Defender 110 station wagon might strike a chord if so.

It’s been built by Edinburgh-based Land Rover specialists Engine 710 as a custom-made vehicle for William Purves, whose funeral director had a large role to play in its creation. The result is a 110 which uses parts from a 130 and given many, many accessories to prepare it for funeral service. A go-anywhere-but-there funeral service, clearly.

Those include a lower deck to allow coffins and tributary items to be better displayed, and a revision to all the doors (and hinges) to provide easier access in and around the car. 710 has also thrown in new LED lighting and pull-out drawers which contain a bespoke set of umbrellas. Shame that there are no wellies provided since graveyards can get a bit… murky.

Alongside a complete rework of the interior - with only the front two seats remaining -  there’s plenty of wood veneer spotted around the equally wood coffin table, while a double sunroof has been attached above to provide more lighting. 

No word as yet on powertrain choice (of which there are many for the old Landy) or whether off-road shoes will be provided, but we’re remaining hopeful for now.