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What size should the coffin be? Ritual house "peace" Standard coffin sizes

The issue of choosing a coffin for burial should be approached with all responsibility and seriousness. First of all, you should pay attention to the technical characteristics and parameters. By ordering a beautiful, comfortable and well-made coffin, you will pay the deceased a final tribute of recognition, respect and express your respect and care for him.

The length of the coffin, of course, will depend on the height of the deceased; as a rule, it is always a multiple of 10 and has a reserve of 20 or 25 centimeters. The width of the coffin is also clear, it comes in only three generally accepted sizes: standard width, deck and special deck. The shape of the coffins also differs from each other; the most common today are four- and hexagonal shapes.

The most popular coffins in our time are wooden frame coffins, fabric-upholstered coffins and polished coffins.

Fabric-upholstered coffins have a very impressive appearance. They differ not only in the quality of the fabric used - silk, polyester, velvet, satin and cotton, but also in its color. The most popular and most commonly used colors today are red, black and blue.

Polished coffins are distinguished by expensive and rich decoration; on the outer walls of such a coffin one can depict the attributes and symbolism inherent in the faith of the deceased. Such coffins are usually made from coniferous trees, and when finishing them they use types of wood such as maple, alder, cherry or oak. Depending on the polishing method, these coffins can be matte or glossy. Inside the polished coffin there is a bed made from the fabric of your choice; satin, cotton or silk are most often used. The bedspread is selected in accordance with the desired religious symbolism.

In such a serious matter as choosing a coffin for burying a loved one, you should carefully study the market and consider all possible offers.

In fact, the custom of burying the dead in special boxes or sarcophagi dates back to our distant past. The first sarcophagi began to be made in Ancient Greece from a special type of limestone (it was called “sarcophagus”). This is, in fact, where this name came from. The Egyptians went even further in this industry and began to produce double sarcophagi. The inner ones were much like modern coffins; they were made of hard wood or precious metals such as silver or gold. Inside, such a sarcophagus resembled the silhouette of the deceased, and often his portrait was carved or minted on it. The outer sarcophagus was made of stone. Such sarcophagi were used to bury nobility and royalty. Somewhat later, the same Egyptians began to build entire crypts and tombs, various in shape and size, striking in splendor and luxury. On their walls, our contemporaries found various stories of past eras.

Orthodox Christian tombs were often located in the temples and churches themselves; such crypts were called tombs. A colorful example of one of these tombs is the tomb of Yaroslav the Wise himself, decorated with unique carved ornaments.

The word “coffin” is purely Slavic, taking its roots from the original meaning of “pit” or “grave”. Before the Christian period, the Slavs usually carried out burials in the following way: the deceased was placed in a large dug hole, along with his clothes, food, some kind of drink and a coin. They simply buried earth on top. Much later, Christians began burying their dead in wooden boxes. Such coffins were called “domovina” in ancient Rus'. Much later, such wooden burial boxes began to be painted and lined with fabric.

Already in the last century, the first funeral companies began to appear in Moscow - coffin shops. They offered for sale luxurious lacquered houses, pompously decorated with gilded cherubs, angels with luxurious carved wings, with gold or silver tassels and ornate handles. In the middle, the houses were upholstered in velvet or glazette with starched fur trim along the edges. Naturally, such luxurious products were intended for wealthy merchants and eminent nobility. Commoners had to be content with cheaper and simpler goods. Also, such shops provided significant assistance in organizing the funeral process: a horse could be hired for transportation, music and documents could be arranged.

Over the entire existence of coffins, the structure of their manufacture has also changed. Previously, coffins were produced in small workshops, one might say in a handicraft way. Throughout Moscow one could count a lot of such shops, their number constantly increasing along with the growth and “aging” of the city. But already in the post-war years, most of these small enterprises were united into one not very large plant “Section for the production of funeral attributes of the State Enterprise “Ritual”. Over time, the technology for making coffins has changed and improved. Soon, instead of painting, a rather labor-intensive process, coffins began to be upholstered not only internally, but also externally. The price and purpose of the product depended on the quality of the material.

Today, a fairly wide range of coffins from domestic manufacturers and foreign suppliers is available to the consumer. Italian and American coffins are in great demand. You will be amazed by the variety of shapes, quality and colors of modern coffins.

Among the numerous funeral accessories, the coffin is the basis to which all other ritual items are selected: fittings, bedding, wreaths and ribbons.

Having its own production, the funeral enterprise JSC Ritual provides the widest selection of all known types of coffins at the lowest prices. CJSC Ritual constantly maintains a wide range of products: in each price category (economy, standard, premium) there are several dozen different options for coffins, differing slightly in cost.

According to the manufacturing standard, the length of the coffin is a multiple of 10, with a margin of 10-15 centimeters depending on the height of the deceased. The width of the coffin also has several options: standard (for people with a clothing size up to size 52), deck (from size 52 to 60) and special deck (for larger clothing sizes).

Coffins differ from each other in shape and type of decoration. In Russia, the most popular are tetrahedral and hexagonal coffins. In terms of exterior decoration, the most common options are fabric-lined coffins and polished wooden coffins. In addition, in the showrooms of funeral homes you can always see exclusive versions of coffins: with rounded corners, carvings, inlays and other types of artistic decoration.

The most budget option is coffins upholstered with fabric. Fabrics of various types and colors are used as upholstery. Favorites are black, red and blue tones, as well as dark green and gold. As for fabrics, the most common are polyester, silk, satin, velvet and cotton fabric. Fabric upholstery gives the craftsman a lot of scope for all sorts of variations: you can choose not only the type and color of the fabric, but also the type and location of ruffles, bows, ribbons, and related accessories.


Polished coffins belong to a higher price category, are usually made from softwood and can be coated with special paint or veneer from various types of wood - oak, cherry, maple, alder, walnut. Often polished coffins are decorated with carvings, reliefs, and fittings with religious symbols.


Regardless of the type of coffin, upholstery is attached to its inside. A so-called “bed” is placed inside the coffin, which can be made of any material. Most often, cotton, silk and satin fabrics are used for bedding. A bedspread is chosen to match the tone of the bed, often with religious symbols.

Currently, only a few funeral service bureaus can boast of independent production of coffins, their own warehouse and a wide range of products: many funeral services outbid the most popular coffin options from the manufacturer and sell them at a significant markup. All this not only increases funeral costs and reduces the possibility of choice, but also reduces the responsibility of sellers for providing goods of inadequate quality. By purchasing a coffin from the manufacturer, the customer receives a decent product at an adequate price.

Before burial, it is very important to correctly calculate the size of the coffin for the deceased. Otherwise, embarrassment may arise when the body simply does not fit on the deathbed. In this case, there will be an unexpected delay, including postponing the ceremony to the next day.

How to choose the size of a coffin for the deceased

To choose the right deathbed, you need to know the following information:

  1. The growth of the deceased during his lifetime.
  2. Growth of the deceased after death.
  3. What shoes are supposed to be worn by the deceased?

Knowing the height of the deceased during life

...will help you correctly determine the size of the coffin. Without this information, purchasing such an important funeral attribute is impossible.

Knowing the height of the deceased after death

... will help you not make a mistake with the final choice of a ritual product. The fact is that, as a result of natural processes, the muscles of the dead are somewhat lengthened, and the body itself is stretched. The orderlies at the morgue will help you find out the length of the deceased from the toes to the back of the head.

Knowing what shoes the deceased will wear

...will help you decide on the height of the coffin. As a rule, military personnel are buried in uniform shoes that have a small heel. Because of this, the height of the deceased will increase somewhat, which should be taken into account when choosing a funeral accessory.

General rule for calculating the length of a coffin

Determine the length of the coffin using the formula:

Rounding up (Person's height during life + 20 cm) = Length of the coffin

Example 1

A person’s height during life was 182 cm. By adding 20 cm, we get 202 cm. After rounding, we get 210 cm. This is exactly what the length of a deathbed should be.

Don't let such a big increase bother you. It takes into account the stretching of the body after a death, the heel on the shoe and the roll of the pillow in the head. If the relatives of the deceased are afraid that the coffin will look too spacious, then to hide the emptiness, you can additionally purchase a pillow for the legs.

For tall people - only fabric-upholstered coffins or custom-made coffins

People taller than 190 cm are usually buried in cloth-lined coffins. The fact is that mass-produced wooden products are limited to a length of 210 cm, which is not enough to rest such a tall person during his lifetime. The coffin, upholstered in fabric, is assembled from boards in a workshop, and therefore there is always the opportunity to make it of the required length without introducing unnecessary expenses to the family of the deceased.

For large and very large people – Deck / Special Deck / Domovina

Coffins of non-standard sizes are divided into:

Decks . The width and height of such products are 10 cm larger than standard ones.

Special Decks . The width and height of such products are 15-20 cm larger than standard ones.

Choosing a coffin is an important, although very emotionally difficult, part of organizing a funeral. When choosing a coffin, you should focus on your available budget, religious beliefs, etc. For example, wooden coffins will suit a more traditional type of funeral, while metal coffins, for example, are a more modern choice.

Here's how to choose a coffin

  1. You can go to the funeral home's website and view the range of available caskets online.
  2. When choosing a coffin, you need to consider your budget.
  3. It is necessary to know the dimensions of the coffin.
  4. You can discuss all the details with the manager of the funeral home (for example, if there is no coffin of the right size or of a certain material).
  5. Buy a coffin through a manager at a funeral home or elsewhere.

When purchasing a coffin, you need to know the person's height and weight. Such data is necessary so that you can purchase a coffin of the right size. If the deceased person exceeds the standard coffin dimensions, or the required size is not available, you may need to order a custom-made coffin.


What are coffins made of?

  • Hardwood. This is a traditional coffin material. Often, such a coffin is decorated with metal handles and a white soft lining. The price of the coffin will vary depending on the type of wood and the complexity of the carving.
  • Metal. A metal coffin usually costs a fair amount of money and is guaranteed to stand the test of time much better than its wood counterpart. The metal used is either stainless steel, bronze, copper. Metal coffins are often criticized because they prevent the body from decomposing.
  • Veneer and chipboard. These coffins usually have metal handles and are similar in appearance to a traditional wooden coffin. However, they are significantly less expensive.
  • Cardboard. Few people know that today the funeral industry has begun to use cardboard coffins. This biodegradable coffin is quite lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Cardboard coffins can be printed with a custom design that reflects the personality of the deceased person.

Do I need to buy a coffin from a funeral home?

You do not have to purchase a casket from a funeral home. You can buy a coffin elsewhere, for example, order through an online store. The funeral home may charge a fee for storing or preparing the casket.

If you still decide to purchase a coffin at a funeral home, you can view the assortment on the website, or during a personal meeting with the manager. He will provide you with brochures so you can look at them and decide which coffin to buy.

Every person's life is unique and inimitable. The funeral of a loved one is the final tribute you can pay to them. We know how important it is for you to see your loved one off on their last journey with the greatest respect.

Therefore, our company always fulfills its duties with the utmost conscientiousness. We offer you the most dignified and high-quality service during the last ceremony. We do all this with respect for family values ​​and religious traditions.

Coffins lined with fabric on the outside

Orthodox people often bury their dead in cloth-lined coffins with a wooden frame. They are usually made from satin, silk or velvet in red, black and blue colors. These are inexpensive coffins compared to others. You can buy them from us at a really cheap price, starting from 700 rubles. They are ideal for low-cost funerals.

To make it, you need to know the following parameters of the deceased:

  1. man's height
  2. clothing sizes in the belt

Coffin size: length

If you want to purchase a coffin upholstered with fabric, it is important to add 15-20 cm to the height of the deceased when choosing a product. Since, according to manufacturers’ standards, the size of this product must always be a multiple of 10 cm, you can round to the nearest ten. For example, when calculating a coffin for a deceased person with a height of 185 cm, we have:

  • 185cm. + 15 cm = 200 cm.
  • 185 cm + 20 cm. = 205cm.

The arithmetic mean is 200 + 205 / 2 = 202.5 cm.

After rounding we get the size - 200 cm.

It is important to note that some manufacturers measure length along the bottom of the stock, and some measure length along the top, which is longer. Therefore, be sure to check this point with the manufacturer or contact our funeral agent, who is aware of all the nuances of making coffins by different manufacturers.

Coffin size: width

Depending on the size of the deceased’s clothing, the following types are made:

  • standard– for deceased persons up to size 50,
  • deck– for sizes 52 -56,
  • special deck– 56 – 62 sizes,
  • Domina– size 64 and above.
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