While I'm not Catholic I do mourn the death of the Pope, I  had great admiration and deepest respect for  the man. That said, I didn't watch the funeral proceeding, other thatn to see glimpses mentioned in the news. I couldn't help but be struck by the extraordinarily simple and yet very beautiful coffin he was buried in. There was some marvelous craftsmanship in the making of that coffin. I couldn't help but wonder if that was sitting in the wings, or some number of craftsman went to work the moment of his death. However it came about, those dovetails and that inlay in the top, as well as the overall design is certainly a striking piece of work.

Edited April 27, 20251 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

I thought the same about the craftsmanship. My guess the coffin was pretty much completed before needed. The news over the past several days noted the Pope was very specific about the simplicity for his coffin. I suspect he may have even seen it prior if only to be assured his wishes would be honored.

I'm not catholic either,..or any other brand but yes that's a fine coffin. Simplicity with craftmanship noted and appreciated on my end. Matter of fact it coulda came off the workbench thread,..somebody see if it's got SN on the bottom 

 

An extra note: I love the architecture of a vast variety of church styles. From the small country churches that dot the landscape in rural America to the centuries old stone stuff in Europe. I think they are all intriguing. 

I loved that too Fred. At his request, as simple as it can be. Even his burial tomb is insignificant as you look at it.

 

For a few years now I've told my own family I want to build my own coffin, pine box and dovetailed lined with cotton linen, that's it.

I also noticed the Pope was taken to his burial location in the back of the Pope mobile, very modest, this is what he wanted, to be slid into the back of a pickup truck and taken to his resting place.

Again, another request I made of my family, when I do go, just slide me and my pine box into the back of my 68 Ford PU and take me to the cemetery, I really do love the minimalism of it all.

 

If it's good enough for the Pope, it's good enough for me.

 

I found this on another forum: (I didn't find it as interesting as i thought it would be)

 

Edited April 28, 20251 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr