Back in January, I hosted a get-together of Honda and Acura owners in the Phoenix area. In total, there were 30 vehicles in attendance. The breakout included 22 Acuras, eight Hondas, and a variety of models that included the TLX, TSX, Integra, Legend, TL, NSX, Accord, del Sol, RL, EL, CL, CR-Z, RSX, Civic, and Odyssey (visible at bottom right in the image below).
There was something unique about that “Ody.” It had been customized as a hearse, and it drew more of a crowd than almost anything else at the meetup.
We recently read about some hearses in a story Diego put together, so I figured I would get up close and personal with my friend Devan’s new 2026 Odyssey. It was recently customized by American Coach Sales in Cleveland, Ohio. The company has been in the business since 1969 and specializes in vehicles for the funeral industry. The most common type of minivan used in the business, Devan told me, is the Chrysler Pacifica.
Devan’s van started out as a run-of-the-mill pearl white 2026 Honda Odyssey EX-L. Powertrain-wise, it remains unchanged from its factory specifications; under the hood is a J35 3.5-liter VTEC V-6 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The exterior received a few subtle (but important) updates like strobe lights in the grille, flag holders on either side of the hood, and chrome accents. If you don’t look too closely, it could pass for just about any other family-hauler.
The cargo area is where things get interesting. The second and third rows of seating have been removed to make room for a custom wood floor with rollers. Luckily, the fifth-generation Odyssey has one of the most spacious and flexible cargo areas in its class, boasting nearly 160 cubic feet behind the front seats. The platform works well for this type of application.
The Odyssey showed fewer than 900 miles on the odometer when I met up with Devan for this brief tour, and he told me that his company will likely keep the van in service for upwards of a decade. Knowing Honda’s reputation for long-term longevity, no doubt the minivan will be an extremely cost-effective addition to his funeral home’s fleet.
My friends and family members had clever reactions to the idea. My brother said, “I’d like one more hit of VTEC before I hit the dirt.” Another suggested that Honda market the funeral-home Odyssey package as the “Final Edition.”
Honda Odyssey: When your last trip still requires cupholders.
What are your thoughts on this unique ride? As a Honda enthusiast, I dig it.
