Just like human beings, coffins come in all shapes and sizes.
In most cases, a coffin is present for a funeral service and becomes the focal point of the funeral ceremony. Therefore, it can say a lot about the person who is inside.
Did they always say, “Just send me out in a cardboard box”? Then a cardboard casket might be the perfect choice. Were they more traditional and expected a certain style? Did they have a love of woodworking or would have appreciated more of a hand-crafted looking coffin? What about a woven wicker casket, that is environmentally friendly and Fair Trade made? There is so much to think about.
At Picaluna we are fortunate to have the support of a number of excellent coffin and casket suppliers, who provide everything from hard wood, to MDF with a veneer, from woven caskets to cardboard caskets and coffins.
Firstly, do you know the difference between a Coffin and a Casket?
A Coffin – generally has six sides. It is wider at the shoulders and tapered at the feet. We see them made of cardboard, solid wood or MDF with a veneer.
A Casket – generally has four sides and is more of a rectangle shape. These can be woven, rounded on the corners, made of raw timber, solid timber, white cardboard (Daisy Box), raw cardboard too. So much to think about.
Coffin costs range from $135 for a simple cardboard Cremation coffin, through to thousands of dollars for metal coffins and caskets.
Coffin decorating
One of the most powerful tributes to a loved-one is when those close to them, gather together to decorate a coffin in their honour. Many families have said, that once they breakthrough the discomfort of approaching the coffin, they find the act of painting and decorating the coffin in preparation for the funeral, to be a very healing process.
Over the past five and a half years at Picaluna Funerals, our Funeral directors and celebrants have been privileged to watch families transform their grief through this final act of love at the end of life.
So, for a bit of funeral inspiration, let us share with you a few ideas that may assist you and your family at this challenging time. Whether it be at a Home vigil, or at the Funeral service as part of the ceremony, the act of community and family decorating the coffin can be such a healing process.
Painting
At Picaluna Funerals we love seeing the heart-felt, colourful, creative and memorable designs of a painted coffin. This can be a simple as using the foundation of a white veneer coffin and painting it a significant colour. Through to creating stencils and designs of colour-blocking. To paintings of special symbols or depictions of moments in a person’s life.
Usually the painting of a coffin takes time and preparation. Talk with your Picaluna Funeral Director about time frames and the best way of fitting in with your funeral date and giving enough time for priming, painting, drying, delivery and return.
