Uncoffined

The adjective 'uncoffined' describes something, typically a body, that has not been placed inside a coffin or casket for burial or viewing. It suggests a state of being exposed or unprepared for traditional funerary practices. The term can carry connotations of rawness, informality, or an absence of formal mourning rituals, highlighting a departure from conventional death customs. This absence can be due to a variety of reasons, including immediate cremation, the absence of a viewing, or an open-casket funeral. The situation can also imply a sense of the deceased's enduring presence within the immediate setting of a burial, until transferred into a casket.

Uncoffined meaning with examples

• The Viking chieftain was left uncoffined on the funeral pyre, his body consumed by flames as an offering to the gods, illustrating a warrior’s valor. No coffin was used as dictated by their customs. The dramatic visuals showcased the warrior's might, which served as a final tribute.
• Following the devastating avalanche, rescue workers recovered the uncoffined remains of several climbers. The emergency required immediate action, so there was no preparation, delaying proper burials until the identification process could be completed. This highlighted the dangers of the mountains.
• In the novel's grim opening, the protagonist discovers the uncoffined body of his neighbor in the basement, a crime scene untouched by formalities. This initial shock set the tone of a harrowing journey as he uncovered the mystery of the event.
• The nomadic tribe practiced a form of sky burial; hence, the deceased was left uncoffined on a mountain summit for vultures to consume, symbolizing a return to the elements. The symbolism demonstrated the tribe's reverence of the afterlife.
• Due to overwhelming logistical constraints during the war, many soldiers were buried uncoffined in mass graves, a stark reminder of the conflict's immense human cost and the disregard for proper funerals and burial rites.