Senior citizens tour coffin factory to demystify death

A group of elderly residents from the Fugleparken activity centre in Næstved Municipality visited Fuglebjerg Kistefabrik (Fuglebjerg Coffin Factory) to learn about coffin production and end-of-life planning, DR reports.

The tour provided insight into the craftsmanship behind different coffin designs, from plain white models to custom-printed and glitter-finished options. Participants examined the materials and construction process while discussing their own preferences.

“We’ll all go that way eventually, so there’s no use pretending we won’t,” said Sonja Møller, one of the visitors. “Why not see what’s available? You might find a beautiful coffin.”

Activity coordinator Maja Bruun Stenmann, who organised the third such visit following a resident’s request, described the experience as unexpectedly uplifting. “It’s hard to put into words what it does for people, but it leaves them informed and happy. What they thought would be sad turns out to be a really positive visit,” she said.

Hanne Elsner, director of Fuglebjerg Kistefabrik, noted that the tours often spark conversations about mortality. “Visitors start considering what kind of coffin they’d want and how they’d like to be remembered. Some hadn’t thought about it before but do afterward,” she explained.

Elsner encouraged Danes to address end-of-life plans before turning 50, easing the burden on grieving relatives. Birgit Petersen, 79, agreed, advocating for open discussions about death—especially with younger generations. “My great-grandchildren don’t really understand it otherwise,” she said. “This visit helps demystify death. It’s the only certainty we have—that we’ll leave this life.”

Petersen suggested expanding such initiatives to foster a more natural relationship with mortality: “Maybe we could educate future generations to see death as something normal.”