Ghanaian Fantasy Coffins

The one commonality between all cultures is the unfortunate reality of death. No matter where you are in the world, you are going to experience the death of a loved one. Many cultures have different ways of honoring their dead, and today we are going to explore a unique burial practice used in Ghana.

What are Fantasy Coffins?

The coffins used in some Ghanaian burial practices have many names: fantasy coffins, figurative coffins, abebuu adekai (meaning “proverb boxes” in Ga), or Fantastic Afterlife Vehicles (FAV). These are all words that mean the same thing: a vibrant and unique way to honor someone who has died. This tradition in Ghana transforms the somber act of burial into a celebration of life using custom-made coffins that reflect the personality, status, profession, or aspirations of the deceased.听

What are the Origins of the Fantasy Coffin?

This tradition originated in the Ga community near Accra as a part of their burial practices. A very generalized reason is that the Ga people believe that life continues as it was when the spirit enters the next life. They also believe that the symbolism and artwork of the coffin will show their status with their ancestors, who have a strong hand in guiding their living relatives.听

According to legend, Seth Kane Kwei is the young carpenter thought to be the inventor of fantasy coffins. He attended a funeral where the deceased was buried in a cocoa pod. He had built the pod himself, and it was originally supposed to be a , but unfortunately the chief died suddenly. He was then buried in the pod.

Shortly after the death of this chief, Kane Kwei鈥檚 own grandmother died. He thought back to the unique way that the chief had been buried in the cocoa pod, so he decided to make an airplane-shaped coffin to honor his grandmother鈥檚 fascination with them.

Despite Kane Kwei passing away in 1992, his legacy of custom coffins for the deceased lives on. His original workshop still operates today, and many of his former apprentices own their own workshops.

How are Fantasy Coffins Made?

Since fantasy coffins are made by regular Ghanaian carpenters, these special coffins are made to order. Understandably, there is much preparation that goes into these creations, so they can take up to 2 weeks to finish.听

The measurements have to be just right so that the body has some room inside the coffin. Then the coffin is carefully constructed into whatever shape is desired for the deceased. They are sandpapered down to avoid any sharp edges and splinters. Finally, the coffins are sprayed or painted as the finishing touches. Some coffins are also decorated with extras such as stone, glass, beads, or anything else that the artisan desires.

What Kind of Coffins are Made?

Fantasy coffins take the form of objects that symbolize the individual鈥檚 life. For example, a fisherman might be buried in a coffin shaped like a fish, while a teacher might rest in a book-shaped coffin.听

Others might choose designs representing their dreams, such as airplanes or luxury cars, symbolizing a journey to the afterlife. Some are shaped as animals, representing the totem of the clan. If a stool or sword is featured, the descendant was someone of high status or a religious figure.

According to Eric Kpakpo Adotey, coffin carver at in La, Greater Accra, Ghana, the only limit relates to requesting a lion, eagle, or elephant. These animals often represent a chief, so unless you鈥檙e a chief, you would not be allowed to be buried in such a shape.

Final Thoughts

Fantasy coffins are more than just burial vessels鈥攖hey are works of art that tell stories, honor their ancestors, celebrate individuality, and provide a colorful lens through which to view the universal experience of death.听

If learning about the numerous burial practices around the world fascinates you, and you have an interest in mortuary sciences in general, you may want to consider a career in mortuary science. We would love to welcome you into our 91色情片 community!

Onward and Upward: Congratulations December 2024 Graduates!

One of our biggest honors is watching our students walk at graduation and take the next steps into their career. We gather together and celebrate one another’s achievements while reflecting back on memories together.

So, hats off to our December 2024 graduates! Enjoy a glimpse of this special occassion below.

For those interested in downloading individual images from graduation, you can do so by following

As prospective students consider their educational paths, firsthand experiences can be invaluable. Students may have expectations that don鈥檛 quite line up with reality. Now that we鈥檙e a month into the fall term, we gathered insights from seven new students at the 91色情片 (91色情片) about their journey so far. Read what Madi, Paige, Taylor, Zack, Morgan, Courtney, and Abbey had to say about their expectations, experiences, and the unique atmosphere at 91色情片.

How Touring Can Impact Expectations

Before making the decision to enroll, all seven respondents participated in tours of the school, just as all new students do. The overwhelming consensus was that 91色情片 represented itself well during these visits. Students noticed the staff was passionate and depicted what to expect from the program in an honest and authentic way. Many of the students felt the tours provided a clear picture of what to expect from the school, and they could already tell that it would be a supportive environment.

One of the respondents of the form, Abbey, had this to say: 鈥淕etting the tour from someone who knew the building so well and getting to see students in the actual learning environment helped to give a good idea and accurate representation of what life at 91色情片 is like.鈥�

Another student, Courtney, said, 鈥淚鈥檝e been on college tours before and they never went too much in depth like 91色情片. I could tell everyone is passionate about what they do, and they want you to succeed.鈥�

Academic Expectations: Ready for the Challenge

As they prepared for their first day, students had varying expectations about the academic workload. Many of the students who responded to our questions said that they were concerned that they would have an intense and difficult workload.听

In reality, the way the student鈥檚 felt about the workload is split. Some students think that it is much easier than they expected, but others find it to be much harder. Morgan was somewhere in the middle saying, 鈥淪ome days I find the studying and assignments incredibly challenging and some days I find myself getting through everything with ease.鈥澨�

Building Connections: Peers and Community

Entering a new academic environment can be daunting, but students shared their experiences of finding a supportive community at 91色情片. All seven of the students who participated in the first term interview stated that they felt accepted as they are, with Courtney saying, 鈥淓veryone has been really welcoming, and I feel like I have found my people.鈥澨�

All seven of the students also said that they noticed similarities between themselves and other students, and because of these similarities have even made some friends. Morgan said, 鈥淭his is a tough field. I think we are all leaning on each other a little as we embark on this.鈥�

Engaging with Instructors and Staff

The expectations students had regarding instructors were also met with positive outcomes. Many students thought their instructors would be tough and serious, and while some felt that there are still more serious instructors, others are more relaxed than they expected.听

Abbey enjoys the science courses, noting Ms. Cush鈥檚 specifically. 鈥淪ome of the instructors are more on the serious side, but others like to joke throughout the lesson and engage in a little bit of a more relatable way.鈥澨�

Zack gave a rundown of his thoughts, noting that Mr. Ricci seems to be a bit more serious and Dr. Lease’s Gerontology class seems more centralized on open discussion. 鈥淗e will often go over a topic and then we will spend time sharing our thoughts as a class. I think both of the teaching styles contrast beautifully. For one portion of my day, I am able to sit quietly while I listen and take notes. For the other portion, we’re encouraged to pick our brains and talk about the lesson.鈥�

The supportive staff at 91色情片 goes beyond educational instructors. The admission advisor, Ms. Cecilia, and administrative coordinator, Mrs. Sproull also received praise from students.听

鈥淢s. Cecilia is incredibly helpful, as is Mrs. Sproull. They both go above and beyond to ensure that you adjust well and if you don鈥檛, they are there with open arms to talk to you and figure out what works best for you,鈥� said Paige.

Zack also praised the administrative staff saying, 鈥�I would like to say that all of the staff on the administrative team do a fantastic job. They are all very easy to talk to, and always encourage students to interact. It wouldn’t be 91色情片 without the administrative team.鈥�

A Vibrant School Atmosphere

Students also praised 91色情片鈥� overall vibe. They really appreciated how welcoming of an environment there was. A few students also loved how the building of the school itself has such a rich history.听

In contrast with students loving the age of the building, Madi said, 鈥淭he lunchroom on the second floor gives off cold and sad vibes.鈥� Fortunately, the school is expecting many renovations in the future, adding on to what they鈥檝e already updated, such as their latest remodeling of the . While 91色情片 loves to embrace their rich history, they also recognize that continuous growth and improvement is vital in the industry. The institute always strives to incorporate the latest technology and continues to update their facilities.

Despite this, though, students notice the welcoming and supportive environment. Morgan said that the overall vibe was fairly relaxed. 鈥淓veryone here seems to know what we are in for (this can be a tough field) but I don’t feel stressed when I arrive. I think because we are all familiar with what will be expected, we try our best to keep a lightness to the day to day. It certainly helps seeing 谤别驳耻濒补谤濒测.鈥�

Abbey responded by saying she felt 100% accepted as she is. 鈥淚 think us being here all together shows we must have similar core values, and I have seen other students and spoken with other students who have similar interests as me which helps coming to school be easy and holds back the dread.鈥�

Regarding the school鈥檚 supportive environment, Zack said, 鈥淪taff and students are both very accepting of differences. As a trans man, I was very nervous to start fresh in a new place. However, no one made me feel different or ostracized. Everyone is very respectful about my identity as well as others.鈥�

Looking Ahead: Life in the Funeral Service

Looking forward, students expressed eagerness for hands-on learning experiences in upcoming terms, particularly in classes focused on embalming and restorative arts. Zack mentioned being excited for Restorative Art and embalming clinicals specifically.

Most of the students are eager to make a difference in the lives of families in various ways. Paige stated about her future in funeral service, 鈥淚 am most excited to make arrangements. I love to decorate so helping families pick what suits them best and helping that dream come alive is going to be amazing.鈥澨�

Advice for Future Students

For those who are considering attending 91色情片, students offered some valuable advice. They encouraged potential applicants to ask questions, be prepared for a challenging academic experience, and embrace the supportive community that 91色情片 provides. Many noted that while the journey might be arduous, the rewards of the funeral service career make it worth it in the end.

Taylor provided some simple yet effective advice to anyone interested in 91色情片: 鈥淏e prepared to study a ton and be busy!鈥澨�

Final Thoughts

The insights shared by the new students at 91色情片 paint a picture of nurturing and engaging educational environment. 91色情片 aims to make their school not only educational, but also embrace a fun environment. It houses two beloved animals, Sydney, the service dog, and Jessica, the 91色情片 office hamster.

If you鈥檙e considering a path in funeral service, 91色情片 might just be the right choice for you.

P.S. Ms. Cecilia says thank you for the ego boost and adds, 鈥淵ou all deserve A鈥檚. I鈥檒l tell Mr. Entenmann.鈥�

I鈥檇 like to take a moment to reflect on one of the things that makes The 91色情片 different. Every educational institute can build feelings of camaraderie and friendship. But 91色情片 is more than that. We are a community.听

The desire to join funeral service is uncommon. It is not easy, and it requires a person with a servant鈥檚 heart to succeed. We see things that most people don鈥檛 understand, we guide people in mourning and grief, and do our tasks with reverence, respect, love, and compassion.听 In that, we build bonds with our students, instructors, colleagues, and anyone else who overlaps into our professional lives.听

The educational journey is a challenge. We ask a lot of you. We will push you. There will be times when it feels overwhelming. But in the end, we will shape you into the best version of yourself so you are ready to go out into the world and thrive in one of the oldest and most respected professions on earth. We will be here for you in your ups and downs. To quote one of our students, Carlene Danzy (Class DE 1058), 鈥淚f you reach out, 91色情片 reaches back.鈥澨�

To be clear, admission to 91色情片 is competitive due to our small class sizes. We are a small school, you will get to know each of us and we will get to know you. Once you enter our student base, you have done so because we have faith in you. It starts in the admissions office where your interactions, passion, drive, potential, and so many other things give the admissions advisor a sense of faith in you. You鈥檙e brought before a committee who looks at everything presented and decides they also have faith in you. You enter classes, the faculty gets to really know you whether you’re online or on campus, and they will push you because they, too, have faith in you. And with that, you are part of a community of uncommon people doing uncommon things in service to humanity.听

We found ourselves particularly touched by an email sent to Dean Burns. Marissa Miller is a graduate of class DE 1057. She worked hard, performed every embalming and practicum requirement, completed RA lab, passed her comprehensive exams, and is now a part of our 8000+ alumni base. Marissa was unable to attend the graduation ceremony due to illness, but she earned the right to wear that cap and gown. Well, you can read the rest yourself.

Hi Dean Burns,

This is Marissa Miller, one of your graduates from this last graduation who couldn’t come because she was as sick as a dog.

I just wanted to tell you thanks for working with Jerry to get my gown and cap to me. Jerry ended up throwing me a surprise graduation in a park. I had no idea he was planning it, and he surprised me by pulling my cap and gown out of the trunk of his car, along with a graduation carpet he had bought off Amazon. We held our own graduation in the park with him, me, my mom, and her neighbor who was a photographer.

While I wish I could have been at 91色情片 to walk because I was really looking forward to it, I still was able to have a wonderful graduation all thanks to you.

Being in school at 91色情片 was an eye-opener for me. I had already gotten a Bachelor’s degree from Kent, but never felt like I had to truly work for it. In a way, sort of like I didn’t truly deserve it.

听With this degree, I did have to work for it. It took hours of studying, determination, and effort on my part to get it, especially with the science classes. I had no idea how much better I would feel about myself after accomplishing something this difficult. I learned I was capable of so much more than I ever realized.

Anyways, sorry for the lengthy email. In short, walking at graduation, even at home in a park, was very important to me. I feel changed as a person in the best way, and am so happy to have found my niche. I love my job as a funeral director here at Behm’s, and I also thoroughly enjoy embalming.

Thanks for everything, Dean Burns. This has been a beautiful experience for me in more ways than one. You, and the entirety of 91色情片, are wonderful.

I hope you and all the rest of the staff have a lovely day.

Sincerely,

Marissa Miller

Marissa, you earned this. We are proud of you. We have faith in you. You will do good things.听

As a funeral professional, networking and professional development are crucial to career growth. It allows those who work in the funeral industry the opportunity to grow in their current job, as well as the potential for different career opportunities in the future. Let鈥檚 deep dive into the reasons why networking within the funeral industry is so important.听

Connecting With Other Professionals

No matter what your career path is, connecting with other professionals can be beneficial to your growth as a professional. Learning about other people鈥檚 experiences in the funeral industry can teach you a lot, especially in the earlier days of your career.听

When you encounter something new in your career as a funeral professional, it can be beneficial to ask other professionals that you know how they handled that new situation.

Receiving Professional Support

When working in the funeral service industry, it can be a lot to handle. Those who work in the funeral service industry carry a heavier burden than people expect, as they provide emotional support to the families of the deceased.听

It also allows funeral professionals to build a community and provide shared experiences with one another.

Funeral Professionals and Their Community

Funeral professionals can often be a key part of their community, as they can provide volunteering and public service, as well as other support to any diverse communities around them. Being so involved in the community is a great way to show the importance of the funeral service industry.

The Benefits of Professional Development

Professional development refers to keeping up with any certification and training that are required as a funeral professional. These certifications are often required to practice in Pennsylvania, so keeping up with certifications is necessary for that purpose, but also just for the purpose of staying up-to-date on developing technology.

Not only will it be necessary to keep up with training and certifications, but it can also be useful to take part in online courses even after you have graduated from mortuary school. Some beneficial courses involve those about culture and race, such as confronting racism in the funeral industry and caring for black hair.

You can also continue your education with 91色情片 to stay up-to-date on the funeral industry post graduation.

Final Thoughts

If you want to be a successional funeral professional, networking and professional development are practically necessary. Both networking and professional development help you learn more in a variety of ways, from supporting diverse groups to keeping up with changing technology in the industry.

If you are interested in mortuary science education, or furthering your education as a funeral professional, we would love to have you. Learn more about our programs today.

As most industries have evolved over time, the mortuary science industry has had its own changes over the years. However, the history of technology and education in mortuary science has not evolved as rapidly as in other industries. Let鈥檚 take a look at the evolution of mortuary science and how industry bridges tradition with innovation.

Mortuary Science and Technology

The internet and other technology is now a key part in both the funeral industry and mortuary science education, but that doesn鈥檛 mean traditional physical paperwork isn鈥檛 utilized. Many funeral homes still have physical records on file, but that may change in the future as technology evolves. There are also a variety of ways to help families and improve efficiency using internet archives and databases. One can help locate graves of a family鈥檚 ancestors, find precise information for a death certificate, or find the perfect poem for a prayer card. Many funeral service professionals also utilize social media as a way of connecting with each other to share ideas, ask advice, learn new methods for embalming, as well as sharing in the bonded community of funeral service.听

Funeral Traditions

Funeral service has a unique way of evolving and not evolving all at once. Funeral traditions vary greatly by culture, region, religion, and familial tradition. Some are somber, some are loud, some are hands on, and some are essentially scripted. But as more of the American population becomes 鈥渦nchurched,鈥� or finding themselves without a lifelong link to a particular church, many are opting for a 鈥渃elebration of life鈥� after losing a loved one.听

At 91色情片, we offer Certified Celebrant Training to help funeral service professionals learn how to best design a service that is meant to be impactful and personal. As we become a society more focused on personalization, we try to tie these old traditions in with new ones. For example, in the 18th and 19th century, funeral biscuits or candies were handed out to mourners at funerals. While not every funeral specifically has something like cookies or candies, some funerals will hand out a token to guests that they associate with the deceased. Be it a recipe on the prayer cards, a butterfly charm, or even sparklers, Certified Celebrants are finding all kinds of beautiful and unique ways to truly celebrate the life that was lived.

Mortuary Science Education

During the Civil War is when embalming really became a common practice. This is because many soldiers did not want to be buried on enemy soil, and without preservation their bodies would not have made it back home. Therefore, it was crucial to train aspiring embalmers in a formal setting.听

In 1882, Joseph Henry Clarke opened up the Clarke School of Embalming, which began the trend of other mortuary education schools opening all over America. While technology has become a fairly large part of mortuary science education, embalming is obviously still a hands-on, in person craft鈥搚ou cannot learn the delicate and intricate process just by watching videos.听

With the increasing popularity of cremation, cremation certification is also part of schooling. In the past, crematories were very simple with only a couple of buttons and a temperature gauge. But nowadays, retorts can be run by intelligent computer programs that diagnose and remedy problems during the cremation process.

As new methods of disposition emerge, such as green burial, composting, and alkaline hydrolysis, it is important for funeral service professionals to be educated and receptive to the needs of each family they serve. While these methods are not common today, who knows where we will be in 20 years? Without the ability to adapt to the changing trends and the technology associated with them, one would be doing their community a huge disservice.听

Final Thoughts

The mortuary science industry has stayed the same in fascinating ways, yet has also changed as technology, equipment, embalming methods, and social awareness grow. If you find that you are fascinated by funeral service and want to learn more about getting yourself in the industry, you can learn more here!

Like all industries, the mortuary science industry has had its own evolution of technology and trends. At 91色情片, we are proud to say that we stay up-to-date with these trends for our embalming and restorative art programs so our students can work with the latest technology.

Let鈥檚 take a look at the trends and changes the industry has gone through over the years, and what to expect in the coming years.

The Birth of Embalming

During the Civil War, both soldiers and their families wanted to ensure that they were buried on their home soil with a proper funeral. In most cases, these bodies had a long and hot train ride to their homes, so this is when they discovered that embalming the bodies was the best solution.听

Despite the invention of embalming occurring during the Civil War, it wasn鈥檛 practiced on the general population. This was until Abraham Lincoln鈥檚 death in 1865. The president was popular among the people, so his body was taken on a two-week long funeral procession from Washington, D.C., to Springfield Illinois, which was his final resting place.听

Many Americans had never seen an embalmed body until this time, and the fact that he was preserved so well really left its mark. From there, embalming of the dead became a common practice.

Environmentally Friendly Alternatives

As our society becomes more environmentally conscious, we are looking for ways to bring sustainability to the funeral industry. Some of these sustainability options include:

• 鈥淕reen鈥� burials, meaning all materials used for the burial are nontoxic and biodegradable
• Mixing the deceased鈥檚 ashes with a tree
• Use of embalming fluids made without formaldehyde
• , in which heated alkaline fluid is used to break down the body rather as opposed to the usual cremation process
• Human composting, in which bodily remains are turned into soil in a very unique process from the usual composting we are used to

These sustainable alternatives may not be for everyone, and in fact, human composting is only legal in California, Colorado, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.听

Other states are working to legalize human composting, which means it is likely that we will see a trend in this kind of burial, as well as other sustainable alternatives.听

The Impact of Technology

In the digital age, every industry has been impacted by technology, and the mortuary science field is no exception. Much of the utilization of technology has come in the form of data entry. Funeral homes use technology for case entry, creation of contract, and other computer administration.听

Technology also became extremely useful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many loved ones of the deceased couldn鈥檛 come to services in person, leading to an increase in remote streaming of funeral services. This has been useful even outside of the former pandemic protocols, as mourners from across the country can see the services of their loved one.

Technology Utilization in the Future

With the increase of streamed funeral services, it has some companies wondering how else technology can be used in the future. One such company is , which allows people to protect their physical and digital assets in one plan. Another company is called , which allows users to begin planning financially for their death at any time.

These two companies are just an example of what tech companies could provide for the mortuary science industry in the future. We might even see an increase of purchasing caskets and other funeral-related products online.

Final Thoughts

Surprisingly, the mortuary science industry stayed the same for a long time, but it seems that with the help of technology, the industry will face many changes in the future.

Sitting in class and listening to a professor and being hands-on in a lab are obviously great ways to receive an education. But having a connection with an industry professional can enhance your education in ways that you may not be able to achieve anywhere else. Let鈥檚 take a look at the benefits of professional networking.

Hear Helpful Advice

When having a connection with someone who actually works in the industry, you鈥檒l often receive plenty of helpful advice and insights that you might not have heard in the classroom. Plus, everyone has different experiences in their career, so it is beneficial to hear from multiple people what the job is like for them.

Learning as much as you can through professionals can be great to apply during your labs and assignments. It can also help you hone in on what your focus and main passion in mortuary sciences is.

Reinforce Love for the Industry

Seeing someone else have love for the industry that you also love can add to your own personal passion. For example, if a student observing in a funeral home sees the positive impact their funeral services had on a grieving family, the student might feel more pride than usual towards their industry of choice.

Build Self Confidence

Let鈥檚 face it: networking in your industry can be an intimidating experience, especially when you do it for the first time. The more a student reaches out to professionals to build connections with, the more their self confidence will grow.

People can tell when someone is confident with their place in the industry, which often will make you stand out among the rest of your peers.

Potential Career Opportunities

While you should never network just for the sake of potential career opportunities, it is definitely something to be conscious of while networking. Any funeral professional you connect with, even if they can鈥檛 provide an opportunity themselves, may themselves be connected to someone who can provide you with your dream opportunity.

Stay Updated on the Industry

While your professors are likely to also be up-to-date on the funeral and mortuary science industry, it鈥檚 still incredibly beneficial to seek out that information on your own. This is especially true once you pinpoint exactly what you want to do with your mortuary science degree. One way to begin this research on the industry is with the .

Develop Strong Friendships

Networking is beneficial for your professional relationships, but it can also be great for your personal relationships, too. It only makes sense that when you鈥檙e spending time with those who share the same passion and career as you that lifelong bonds could form.听

It could be extremely beneficial to have a person who is both a professional mentor and a friend in the situations where you get overwhelmed with school. A close friend who also works in the field can be there to remind you to power through because it鈥檚 worth it.

Final Thoughts

At 91色情片, we recognize how beneficial a connection with a mortuary science professional is, which is why a Funeral Service Practicum is such an important part of the curriculum.听

Industry professional connections can provide a student with so much more information than they would receive exclusively in the classroom. They get insights they may not get anywhere else, advice from someone with their own experience in the field, and much more.