13 Strange Burial Traditions from Around the World

4. Fantasy Coffins

In Ghana, many people choose to be buried in abebuu adekai – fantastical coffins that are commonly known as “proverb boxes.” Each coffin represents the unique aspirations or interests of the recently deceased. These coffins cost around $700 USD, and can take almost any shape you can think of. Some common fantasy coffins represent the livelihood of the deceased, while others represent their aspirations or interests ­– often taking the shape of sports cars, airplanes, or even voluptuous women.

These coffins were first made in the 1950s, by a carpenter named Kane Kwei, and the practice quickly spread around the country. Now, there are 10 coffin workshops in the capital city of Accra, many of which are staffed by artists and carpenters trained by Kwei himself.