Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?

Question

...is people afraid of zombies? the only zombies I heard about was in Matthew 27:52-53

Answer 1

I think it has something to do with the body bloating.

Answer 2

I read about some guy who had a phone installed in his coffin because he was afraid of being buried before he was really dead and waking up after being buried.

There used to be problems with grave robbers who would dig up dead bodies and steal valuables that they were buried with, I would assume that is the reason that the lids of coffins are traditionally nailed shut.

Answer 3

They don't nail the lid of coffins for the most part. Ever watched a casket get put into the ground?

They do seal it in a vault.

Answer 4

LOL

Oh that's tickled me... that's such a good question. In practice its probably because of moving the coffin around and how unpleasant it is when you drop one and see a rotting corpse roll on to the ground in front of their family and loved ones.

I sometimes think I'd like to be buried in thin chipboard in case it was just a really, really deep sleep.

Apparently one study showed a fair percentage (can't quantify sorry, I simply can't remember) of coffins from people buried in the 1800's had scratch marks made from the inside - horrific thought, isn't it?

Answer 5

Probably more to do with the dearly departed coming tumbling out of the box should the pallbearers have an accident. They hardly ever bury anyone alive these days.

Answer 6

1. To keep Zombies in
2. To keep Grave robbers out
3. To keep Necrophiliacs out
4. To keep worms out
5. To bolster the economy with superfluous nail sales
6. To give grocery baggers another career option
7. To keep Uncle Eddie from falling out if the pall bearers drop him on the way to the hearse
8. To give Uncle Eddie one last chance to get hammered
9. To give Uncle Eddie one last chance to get nailed
10. To provide yet another line item on the funeral home itemized invoice

Answer 7

Haven't you ever seen pictures or footage of pallbearers dropping the casket, it rolls down the steps and out falls old aunt Gertie?

Uck.

Answer 8

To keep the body from rolling out before burial.

To keep the stench from escaping.

Answer 9

I have an Uncle who they thought was dead, who actually dug his way out of his coffin after the funeral.

Answer 10

I guess... well...idk. I guess the natural thing to do would be to seal out everything that could damage the body like dirt and air etc. Its not like theyre preserving the body though... i guess its a respect thing.

Answer 11

Hmmmm... or maybe it's so that when they're carrying it to the gravesite the body doesn't fall out onto the ground if it tips?