This week, together with Danish coffin manufacturers Tommerup Kister, Jacob Jensen have released a collection of coffins and urns that appear to be bespoke creations. Each coffin is hand-crafted from locally-sourced Nordic Birch plywood and with a varying number of facets and a matt painted finish, with a lining of subtle butterfly pattern.
"The coffins that we have had until now were designed in the 1970s; we would like to create a series of new designs which will also remain relevant for another 40 years," says Ulrich Nielsen, director of undertakers Tommerup Kister. "We wanted a more universal design which could have an appeal beyond Denmark's borders."
The concept behind the faceted coffins is the enduring symbol of a diamond. Each coffin and urn can have a varying number of facets, but on each the highest point in the coffin follows the heart line and the facets smooth into a plane where a single flower can be placed. "This is an area which demands great reverence and respect, but it seemed to me that the classic and simple form language suits it very well indeed," says designer Timothy Jacob Jensen, "Our funeral rituals are still surrounded with taboo and mystique, but I was certain that we could create, with integrity, a lasting design combined with proper respect for tradition." Beatrice Galilee
