Coffins made to represent the deceased lifestyle

Would you bury your loved one in a chilli pepper, Mercedes Benz, houses or aeroplanes designed coffin apart from the usual box design that we know about?

Well seems like in some regions this is now what is carrying the day.

A man in Accra and Kumasi cities in Ghana West Africa is redesigning the coffins from the usual box design to other models including, chilli pepper, Mercedes Benz, houses, aeroplanes, among other designs depending on  the occupation, passion or status of the deceased.

With all the designs being applied the casket is not as cheap as people may think it is selling as much as $1, 000 (Ksh100, 000).

The coffin shops are named after Seth Kane Kwei, who a section of Ghanaians say founded fantasy caskets in the country.

According to BBC, With Ghana being one of the world’s largest cocoa producers, families in rural areas, who earn an average of $3 (Ksh300) a day, collect and save their hard-earned money to bury the deceased in custom-made cocoa pods.

One Eric Adjetey, who has been in the business of making coffins for over 50 years revealed that the chilli pepper carries a symbolic meaning that goes well beyond the life of a farmer.

In addition he said, Mr Adjetey, the red colour and spiciness represents the personality of that person.“He was hot and temperamental, a person you don’t want to mess around with,” Mr Adjetey told the “BBC”.

He further continues to say, Coffins in the style of a Mercedes Benz are popular.

According to Steve Ansah, the benz is quite popular as it represents the person’s high social status.

Though they are called “art fantasy coffins” by non-citizens, most Ghanaians know the caskets as “Abeduu Adekai”, which means “proverb boxes” due to the symbolic meaning behind each design.

Aeroplanes are normally for a children, it symbolizes his successful journey to the afterlife.

A coffin designed to resemble a house is for a landlord, who was widely appreciated by his community for building and renting out his homes.

“Generally, it’s the responsibility of loved ones and family members to buy the coffin for the deceased. But they also have to pay for the ceremony, including buying food and drink, and clothing for the deceased.”

“The ceremony happens from Thursday to Monday. On Thursday the family gets the coffin; on Friday the body is brought from the mortuary; on Saturday the funeral takes places, while on Sunday people go to church. On Monday family members count the money that was invested and donated,” Mr Adjetey says.