“I’m an artist. I am always busy with my work,” says Paa Joe. He began working at age 15 as a carpenter’s apprentice to his cousin Kane Quaye, who created designer coffins. Later, Paa Joe founded his own workshop serving local people and producing designer coffins as art works for museums around the world. His work has been featured in documentary films and books.

This airplane coffin confers the deceased with all the prestige and mystique of travel and proclaims the family’s prominence and wealth. It connects the spiritual journey of death with potent reminders of a life well lived.

Although rectangular coffins are the norm, designer coffins are becoming more common in Ga communities. Coffins in the shapes of vehicles, animals, farm produce, and Bibles celebrate the accomplishments of the deceased.

A few specialized workshops produce these coffins for local and international clienteles. Paa Joe’s workshop in Nungua, Ghana, made this airplane coffin.