National Board Of Examination (NBE) Arts Practice Exam

What is a burial container that is broader at the shoulders than at the head or feet called?

1. Casket

2. Coffin

3. Sarcophagus

4. Ziegler Case

The correct answer is: Coffin

A burial container that is broader at the shoulders than at the head or feet is referred to as a coffin. This design typically results in a tapered shape, which is wider at the top to accommodate the shoulders and narrower at the bottom. The coffin's structure not only serves an aesthetic purpose but also aims to fit the human body comfortably. In contrast, a casket generally has a rectangular shape and equal width throughout, which distinguishes it from a coffin. A sarcophagus is often an elaborately decorated stone container used historically for holding coffins or human remains, but it does not fit the shape described. A Ziegler case refers specifically to a metal burial container that is used for shipping remains, again differing in form and function from a coffin. This highlights why the coffin is the correct term for the described burial container.