A coffin is called a kind of rectangle-shaped box that is used to place a person who has died inside it and that also serves to transport and bury that person. In general, the coffin is made from different types of wood and can be decorated with different objects to give it a much more attractive and luxurious finish. In ancient times this same word was used to describe a stretcher that was used to move the corpses to the place where they will be buried. In the same way, during the festivities of the triumphal pomps, the coffin was also a stretcher but in this case it carried objects of great value.
In many cultures around the world the coffin is one of the most representative and important elements, during the funeral acts of a person, in addition it is important to note that in many regions they are known by other terms such as sarcophagus, urn, receptacle, etc.
According to experts, the origin of the coffins is due to the need of human beings to try to preserve the corpses of those people who have died, therefore it was sought to prevent the onslaught of climate and time from affecting them and decomposing, in addition From this it is said that the symbolism of the coffins is to pay tribute to the deceased. In the beginning, the coffins consisted of containers made of clay where the body was placed in a fetal position, then over the years the shape and materials with which they were made were modified, until reaching what is known today, which is made of wood in the shape of a rectangle.
One of the main characteristics that can be highlighted of the coffins are the different details that are carved into the wood and that generally are related to some religion of which the deceased person was a supporter. At present it is possible to find various types of caskets, among which those made with metals, cardboard, glass and even paper stand out, as well as there are special ecological caskets to be cremated.
