Rouwservice Nederland, market leader for coffins and hearses in the Netherlands, is in such bad shape that it cannot afford to pay the salaries of its 150 employees. The only hope is a quick takeover, the Telegraaf reported on Thursday.

Informed sources revealed on Wednesday that the employees of RSN and its coffin-maker stablemate Bogra had received no salary for the month of May when the annual holiday payment (vakantiegeld) is also due.

The situation is dire, said Frank van Splunter, operational director of the funeral company. ‘We hope to be able to pay our employees this week if a potential takeover transpires,’ he added.

Enkhuizen-based RSN and Bogra operate five branches and are among the largest suppliers of coffins and hearses to the Dutch funeral industry.

Funeral insurer Dela is the group’s largest client and buys some 30,000 coffins a year. Dela said it is aware of the problem and has a stockpile of coffins to see them through the next few weeks.