Caixão

Caixão is the Portuguese term for a coffin or casket, a rigid container used to hold a deceased person for burial or cremation. It is commonly placed in a chapel or viewing room for wakes before interment, and then lowered into a grave or placed in a mausoleum, depending on local customs.

Etymology and usage: The word caixão derives from caixa, meaning box, with the augmentative suffix -ão, indicating a larger or more substantial box. In everyday language, caixão refers specifically to the coffin used in funerary practices, as opposed to smaller containers or boxes.

Construction and materials: Traditional caixões are made of wood, such as pine, oak, or mahogany, and may be veneered or painted. Metal, fiberglass, or composite materials are also used, particularly for durability or weight considerations. Coffins can be plain and functional or elaborately decorated, with external hardware, lining, and interior padding chosen to reflect cultural or family preferences.

Funeral rites and use: In many cultures, pallbearers transport the caixão from the funeral home to the ceremony and then to the burial site. The coffin may be opened for public viewing during wakes in some traditions, and it is subsequently sealed for burial or removed before cremation, depending on local practices and religious guidelines.

Cremation and alternatives: For cremation, the container is typically designed to be combustible, with wooden or alternative disposable interiors. Metal caskets are more commonly associated with burial. Some regions also offer ecological or natural burial options, using biodegradable containers and avoiding traditional metals or finishes.

Regional context: The term caixão is widely used in Brazilian Portuguese and in Portugal, with regional variations in design, decoration, and ritual practice reflecting local customs and religious influences.