# Where does the archetypical coffin shape come from? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2008, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096 "2008-08-24T13:53:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096/41 "2012-09-22T20:38:29Z")
This thread actually has me thinking about how I’d like to be buried. I never really cared, as I’ll be dead. But after some consideration, I suppose I’d like to be buried in a no-fuss, traditional coffin shaped box. Matte black. Or, if I decide to go cremation, a coffin shaped urn. Matte black. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096/42 "2012-09-22T20:40:44Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > People mostly get fat in their midsections. So maybe we need coffins with the “ears” farther down; like halfway. And wider. Hmm. It might require a full redesign. However, I think the [plans already exist.](http://static.traderscity.com/board/userpix63/34243-Musical-Instrument-Case-Cello-Case-1.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096/43 "2012-09-22T20:44:02Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > All the ones I’ve seen have been rectangular like this: > > [http://www.murphyfuneralservices.com/files/capitol\_cherry.jpg](http://www.murphyfuneralservices.com/files/capitol_cherry.jpg) > > So it must be they go with caskets and not coffins. Is it wrong that my first thought on clicking that link was “That looks kind of comfy”? ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096/44 "2012-09-22T20:51:51Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Is it wrong that my first thought on clicking that link was “That looks kind of comfy”? It looks comfy, but it’s all just drapey fabric. There’s virtually no padding. ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096/45 "2012-09-22T21:06:22Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > zombie or no > > people got fat and needed rectangular. I was involved in an exhumation and reburial of a Civil War soldier. There wasn’t much left of him, other than a skull and spine and a few bits. A volunteer built a new traditional style pine toe-pincher for him, but it was child size, no more than 30" long. No need to waste material, just like in the old days. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2012, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096/46 "2012-09-23T12:07:15Z")
Heh, of all my threads to get resurrected… At least this one shambles out of a proper box! Thanks for the effort, though, **cocomom**. ---
**Author:** ![navpooh\_it\_s\_a\_long\_story](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e0b2c6/32.png) [@navpooh\_it\_s\_a\_long\_story](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/navpooh_it_s_a_long_story)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096/47 "2012-10-22T18:27:01Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > \ > > Coffins were distinctively shaped boxes that were used only for burying the dead. Even the name itself made people think of death. Caskets OTOH are a more neutral rectangular shape. At the time, the word casket was also less emotionally loaded than the word coffin, though that has changed with use. I agree with your last statement; when someone says “casket” now I cringe and get the heebeejeebees. Seeing one open with a body in it freaks me out and approaching it makes my knees shake (even happened when we buried a friend of mine) and the sight of a closed one - occupied or not - literally makes me back up a few steps. But when someone says “coffin” I think of the six-sided toe-pincher and for some odd reason I get a feeling of peace and comfort. I dunno…but I DO know thath I plan to build a TP for my own burial. I do NOT want to be buried in a rectangular box, be it of cold, stamped sheet metal OR of wood - it’s just not in my comfort zone (not that I’ll know at that point…) ---
**Author:** ![navpooh\_it\_s\_a\_long\_story](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e0b2c6/32.png) [@navpooh\_it\_s\_a\_long\_story](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/navpooh_it_s_a_long_story)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096/48 "2012-10-22T18:30:08Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > That’s true. Also, most US caskets are metal, not wood. In Europe, they’re almost all wood. Our local maker of wooden caskets is C.J. Boots Casket Company. > [http://www.cjbootscaskets.com/](http://www.cjbootscaskets.com/) > > Their motto is “Don’t leave this world without your Boots!” Oh brother… ---
**Author:** ![navpooh\_it\_s\_a\_long\_story](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e0b2c6/32.png) [@navpooh\_it\_s\_a\_long\_story](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/navpooh_it_s_a_long_story)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096/49 "2012-10-22T18:31:35Z")
> [@JimmyFlair](#): > > This reminds me of one of those “Man, I’d really like to know the story behind THAT” moments… > Twenty something years ago I was on a school trip on a boat. We left Vancouver and sailed around the Gulf Islands, learning about nature, etc. Shortly after leaving Vancouver, we got to the point where the muddy Fraser River water meets the relatively clear ocean water. A friend an I were leaning on the railing, taking in the scenery when we notice something in the water. It was what appeared to be a coffin lid in exactly the shape you describe. It was definitely not plywood cut to shape, but boards nailed together. The water was pretty choppy, so we couldn’t tell if it was just a lid or the top of a floating whole coffin. Where did it come from?😕 You weren’t anywhere near Dawson’s Creek, were you?🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-archetypical-coffin-shape-come-from/461096.md?page=2)