Painting an Urn or Coffin
Painting an Urn or Coffin yourself
You have two options when designing an urn or casket – if you want to paint an urn, I can come to your home with my mobile studio and we can work there. The funeral home is usually the best place to paint or design the casket. Many funeral directors now allow relatives to have the casket painted in their rooms. If you wish, I can recommend funeral directors or ask your funeral director. I will accompany you in the Berlin area and by arrangement also outside of Berlin.
Would you like to paint or design an urn yourself?
- If you already have a specific idea or motif in mind, please let me know.
- I would also like to know details such as who the urn is for, whether there will be more than one person and/or children, and the date of the funeral.
- The model of the urn and the individual time required will determine the cost.
How does it work?
You can paint and decorate the coffin or urn alone or together with other people. It may be nice to listen to music that your loved one loved, to remember beautiful or meaningful moments together, or to share stories or anecdotes. Or maybe you need silence and privacy.
There is something healing about decorating the coffin or urn for a loved one. Anything that is good for you can be here. There is no right or wrong. Wild and colorful, playful, modern or stylishly classic – together we will find out what you would like and what might suit your loved one. You don’t need to have a “suitable idea” or any experience with creative things.
The creative process lasts two days, 1-3 hours on the first day and 2-5 hours on the second day.
Day 1
- 1 – 3 hours
- We will discuss your wishes and circumstances, e.g. if the urn is for yourself or for a deceased person, if there are children involved, or if there is a special occasion planned for the funeral.
- We consider what kind of design you or your loved one would like
- and what might suit your loved one, e.g. their preferences, passions, interests, etc. and
- develop an idea for a design that you can create yourself with my assistance.
Day 2
- 2 – 5 hours
- I will teach you how to work with the materials and design techniques.
- You can design as much as you want, you decide. If you like, I can also do one or two things for you.
- It is nice if you bring personal items and materials that we can incorporate.
- Important: The urn or casket usually needs to dry first. Because of this drying time, the urn may not be ready to go and the casket should be left to dry for a few hours.
Design your own urn or casket: paint, print, craft, write & stick on
Untreated natural wood coffins or simple urns made from a variety of materials, such as organic urns, ceramic urns, or wood urns, can be painted or decorated.
The surface can be painted, printed, covered with photos or pictures, or carved. Messages can be written, symbols can be added, and personal items can be attached.
A hand-painted fabric can be used to decorate the coffin or urn at the funeral.
Child-friendly farewells: decorating the urn or coffin together
This is a good way for children and young people to learn about death and dying. And to say goodbye – sometimes cheerfully and playfully, sometimes sadly.
By painting a coffin, making urn decorations or painting a picture for the funeral service, they can actively participate in the event in an age-appropriate way. At the same time, the workshop is a space for questions, pragmatic considerations, and peaceful discussion. This helps to reduce anxiety and gently prepare for the funeral.