'Happy' coffin coming soon

MANILA, Philippines – What will they think of next?

A family-run rent-a-coffin business will soon be offering a “happy” coffin decorated with “peaceful and happy images” that aims to ease the pain and sorrow brought about by the loss of a loved one, particularly among the poor who often cannot even afford a decent burial for their dead relatives.

Mary Ann Andes explained that the coffin with the “happy design” is rented for the funeral, while an inner wooden casket will be buried along with the cadaver.       

“I am working to include clouds in my design. Clouds are associated with heaven,” Andes told The STAR in a telephone interview.         

Andes, a 20-year-old computer design student at Asia Pacific University in Makati City, helps her father Antonio run their business. Antonio is the inventor of the reusable coffin.

They recently signed an agreement with Trece Martires City Mayor Jun de Sangun and the Mabuhay-Deseret Foundation headed by Bret Jackson for the Karamay Hanggang sa Kabilang Buhay project, which will provide free burial to indigent residents of the Cavite city.

“The city government of Trece Martires spent more than P2 million last year as burial assistance for its constituents. The reusable coffin is a project that would save money and still provide decent burial to the indigents,” Andes said.