Putting personal items into a coffin with a person who has died is something that happens in many places around the world and in many different times in history. It is not just a random thing people do. It is a practice that comes from deep feelings, beliefs, and traditions. People place things like clothes, jewelry, photos, letters, toys, tools, books, or even food and money into the coffin because they want to honor the person, help them in what comes next, or keep a connection with them. This act is part of how humans deal with death, grief, and the idea of what happens after someone dies.
In many cultures, death is not seen as the end of a person’s journey. It is seen as a change, a move from this life to another place or state. That other place might be called heaven, the spirit world, the afterlife, or something else, depending on the religion or belief system. Because of this, people believe that the person who died still needs or can use certain things in that next place. So they put items in the coffin that they think will be useful, comforting, or meaningful to the person in that new world.
For example, in ancient Egypt, people buried the dead with many objects. They placed food, drink, furniture, jewelry, weapons, and even small statues called shabtis that were supposed to work for the person in the afterlife [3]. The Egyptians believed that the soul would continue to exist and would need these things to live well in the next world. Their coffins were often richly decorated and filled with items that reflected the person’s status, profession, and daily life. The gilded wooden coffin recovered by Egypt in a recent case shows how much care was taken in making and equipping coffins for the dead, with decorations and symbols tied to religious beliefs and funerary rituals [3].
In other parts of the world, similar ideas exist. In some Native American traditions, people were buried with items that represented their life, such as tools, weapons, or personal belongings, so they could use them in the spirit world [4]. In some African cultures, people are buried with things they valued in life, like clothing, beads, or even money, to show respect and to help them in the afterlife. In parts of East Asia, it is common to burn paper replicas of money, houses, cars, and other goods so the spirit can have them in the afterlife, but real personal items are also sometimes placed in or near the coffin [2].
Even in modern Western funerals, people often put personal items in the coffin. A child might be buried with a favorite stuffed animal or blanket. A soldier might be buried with his medals or uniform. A musician might be buried with a favorite instrument or a CD of their music. A person who loved reading might be buried with a favorite book. These items are not just random objects. They are symbols of who the person was, what they loved, and what mattered to them.
From a psychological point of view, placing personal items in the coffin helps the living cope with the loss. Grief is a very strong and complex emotion. When someone dies, the people left behind often feel helpless, sad, and disconnected. By choosing and placing items in the coffin, they feel like they are still doing something for the person they love. It gives them a sense of control and purpose in a situation where so much feels out of control. It is a way of saying goodbye, of showing love, and of keeping the person’s memory alive.
Studies in psychology and thanatology, which is the study of death and dying, show that rituals around death help people process grief and adjust to life after loss [4]. Funerals, wakes, and burial practices are all part of these rituals. Putting personal items in the coffin is one small part of that larger ritual. It allows mourners to express their feelings in a concrete way. Instead of just feeling sad, they can do something active, like writing a letter to the person and placing it in the coffin, or choosing a special piece of clothing for them to wear.
For children and young people, this practice can be especially important. A child who has lost a parent or sibling might not fully understand death, but they can understand the idea of giving something to the person. Giving a drawing, a toy, or a note helps the child feel connected and involved. It can also help them start to understand that the person is gone but still remembered and loved.
In some religious traditions, there are specific rules or customs about what can or should be placed in the coffin. In Christianity, for example, it is common to place a Bible, a rosary, or a cross in the coffin, especially if the person was very religious. These items are seen as spiritual aids that can help the soul in the afterlife. In Judaism, burial customs are very simple and focus on equality in death, so personal items are usually limited, but some families still place a note or a small object that has special meaning. In Islam, the body is washed and wrapped in a simple shroud, and extra items in the coffin are generally not allowed, but some families might place a small note or prayer in the shroud or near the body in a respectful way.
In medical and scientific terms, once a person dies, the body stops functioning. The heart stops beating, the brain stops working, and the body begins to decompose. From a biological point of view, the person cannot see, hear, feel, or use any objects placed in the coffin. Medical science is clear that consciousness and sensory perception end with death, and that the body no longer has needs in the way it did when alive [4]. However, the act of placing items in the coffin is not really about the physical body. It is about the person’s identity, memory, and the beliefs of the living.
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who work with dying patients and their families often see how important these personal items are. They understand that even though the body is no longer alive, the emotional and spiritual needs of the family are very real. Many hospitals and hospices encourage families to bring in personal items, like photos, blankets, or music, to be with the person in their final hours. This helps create a peaceful and familiar environment and supports the family’s sense of connection.
When a person is dying in a hospital or care home, staff may help the family place meaningful items with the person before and after death. This can include clothing from home, religious objects, or small keepsakes. These practices are supported by guidelines in palliative care, which focus on treating the whole person, including their emotional, social, and spiritual needs, not just their physical symptoms [4]. Organizations like the World Health Organization and national health services recognize that end of life care should respect cultural and personal values, including how people want to say goodbye and what they want to place with the body.
In some cultures, the items placed in the coffin are chosen based on the person’s role in life. A farmer might be buried with a small tool or a piece of land, a teacher with a book or a diploma, a cook with a favorite recipe or kitchen utensil. These items are not meant to be practical in a literal sense, but symbolic. They represent the person’s work, their skills
