What is the meaning of coffin? The term coffin has been used since the 16th century, and is used to describe a container that holds a dead body before burial. The word coffin is interchangeable nowadays with the word casket, although there are some subtle differences between the two. A traditional coffin will have six or eight sides; a casket will have only four.
The word coffin is derived from the Greek. It is derived from the word kophinos that means basket. A coffin may also be called a pall under some circumstance. A pall refers to the cloth used to cover a coffin whilst it is transporting the deceased.
Coffins and caskets can be extremely expensive, depending on their adornments, and the material used to make them. It is not unheard of for people to spend up to $50,000 on a coffin. The price will rise not only because of the material used. Expensive coffins will contain interior fabrics such as pure silk, and the workmanship required to make a coffin will also push up the end price. Some people will choose for their coffin to be inscribed with their name or the name of the deceased. Messages from family members may be engraved on wooden or metal coffins and caskets.
Coffins may also be decorated with artwork or jewels, and luxury coffins will include internal pockets where personal items will be held. The more detail used in manufacturing the coffin, the higher the overall price. A coffin with a glass cover as opposed to a wooden, metal or fiberglass cover will also push up the price of the casket. Glass-topped coffins enable permanent viewing of the body.
In recent times, coffins have become more eco-friendly. Materials for making an eco-coffin include bamboo or banana leaves. Bamboo leaf coffins originated from China. Coffin sales have been in decline since the turn of the 21st century for several reasons. Asides the economic decline and recession that have been felt around the world many people now seek a more environmentally friendly alternative to be being buried in a coffin. Cremation is more popular, although now considered to be harmful to the environment. Many people are opting to be buried with a simple funeral shroud.
External details of a coffin can include crosses, symbols, handles, and intricate designs. These are known as coffin fittings. The material used to decorate the inside of the coffin is however known as the coffin trimming.
If you choose to be buried in a coffin, it can be a large proportion of the money you spend on your funeral. Although you can cut back costs by opting for cardboard coffins or recycled materials, the best way to keep your funeral costs down is by taking out funeral insurance available from a local funeral planner. Funeral insurance will cover all aspects of your burial service, your coffin, and all other details of your funeral.