NL2025876B1 - Coffin - Google Patents

Abstract

A coffin is provided, comprising a bottom panel provided with bottom mating members at opposite edges of the bottom panel, two side panels orientated substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel, the side panels being provided with side mating members at at least three edges thereof, two end panels orientated substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel and the side panels, the end panels being provided with end mating member at at least two opposite edges thereof, and a lid, wherein the two end panels are interlockingly connected to the two side panels by means of mating adjacent side mating members and end mating members, the bottom panel is interlockingly connected to the two side panels by means of mating adjacent side mating members and bottom mating members, and wherein the lid is connected to the two side panels.

Description

P127215NL00 Title: Coffin

TECHNICAL FIELD The aspects and embodiments thereof relate to coffins.

BACKGROUND Coffins are often constructed using wooden components which are held together with screws, nails and/or glue. Do-it-yourself kits for assembling a coffin are readily available. These kits comprise a bottom panel, two side panels, two end panels, and a lid which when assembled form the coffin. These kits are provided with the required screws and tools such as screwdrivers and/or hex wrenches for assembling the coffin.

SUMMARY It is desired to provide a coffin, which is easier to assemble, requires less parts, leaves less unburnt parts after cremation, is more environmentally friendly when buried, and/or provides a combination of these advantages.

A first aspect provides a coffin, a quadrilateral bottom panel provided with bottom mating members at opposite edges of the bottom panel, two quadrilateral side panels orientated substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel, the side panels being provided with side mating members at at least three edges thereof, two quadrilateral end panels orientated substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel and the side panels, the end panels being provided with end mating member at at least two opposite edges thereof, and a lid, wherein the two end panels are interlockingly connected to the two side panels by means of mating adjacent side mating members and end mating members, the bottom panel is interlockingly connected to the two side panels by means of mating adjacent side mating members and bottom mating members, and wherein the lid is connected to the two side panels.

An interlocking connection means that two components at least partially mate with each other. For example, a first component may comprise a male mating member, a second component may comprise a female mating member complementary to the male mating member, and when the male mating member mates with the female mating member, an interlocking connection may be obtained.

A female mating member being complementary to a male mating member implies that the female mating member provides a cavity at least large enough to accommodate the male mating member and preferably - optionally - having a shape complementary to a shape of the male mating member. For example, to make the assembly of an interlocking connection easier, the female mating member may be arranged to accommodate a larger shape than the male mating member with which it is arranged to form an interlocking connection.

A male mating member may be formed by a mating protrusion protruding from a component such as a panel. Alternatively, an end of the panel may form the male mating member, and the complementary female mating member may be a groove in a second component.

An interlocking connection between two components may constrain any number of degrees of freedom between the two components, for example any number of translations and/or any number of rotations. For example, an interlocking connection may constrain all translations and rotations between the two components except for a translation in a mating direction by which the male mating member and the female mating member are mated together. Hence, an additional connection may be required to fully constrain two components which are interlockingly connected together.

A male mating member and a female mating member may be mated together by sliding a first of the male mating member and the female mating member into the second of the male mating member and the female mating member.

A first example of an interlocking connection may be formed with a groove as a female mating member, and an end of a panel as a male mating member. Another example of an interlocking connection may be formed as a dovetail joint, for example a sliding dovetail joint.

Mating members may for example be T-shaped, L-shaped, partially triangularly shaped or having otherwise parts provided under and angle relative to the part they are connected to, partially spherical, circular or otherwise shaped in a curved way, have one or more tapered sections, have one or more thickened sections, comprise any other shape, or any combination thereof. Such shapes may prevent movement of the interlocked parts in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the interlocking connection is constituted.

By using interlocking connections, a coffin may be obtained which does not require screws, bolts, hinges or any other metal parts for holding the shape of the coffin. Hinges, screws, and other non-combustible parts have to be removed from the burnt remains before the burnt remains such as dry bone fragments are pulverized to form what is considered the ashes.

With the coffin according to the first aspect, this removal step is not required anymore.

Furthermore, interlocking connections may be visually appealing since only the two interlocked components are visible. No additional connection elements such as screws or bolts may be visible at the exterior of the coffin between two interlocked components.

In general, when two components such as two panels are said to be interlockingly connected, any one of the two components may comprise the female mating part and any other one of the two components may comprise the male mating part for forming the interlocking connection.

When a coffin without screws, bolts, hinges or any other metal parts for holding the shape of the coffin is buried, it may be prevented that these metal parts contaminate the soil in which the coffin is buried. Hence, the coffin according to the first aspect may be considered to be more environmental-friendly than conventional coffins which use metal parts for holding the coffin together. As an option, embodiments of the coffin may be substantially free of glue, paint, and/or coatings.

Any of the bottom panel, side panels, end panels and lid may be flat, rectangular panels with a particular thickness. The panels may hence be shaped such that the coffin is shaped as a rectangular box. Panels may for example be formed from solid wood and/or multiplex.

Alternatively, any of the bottom panel, side panels, end panels and lid may be shaped as a flat quadrilateral with a particular thickness. An example of a quadrilateral shape is a trapezoid, in particular an isosceles trapezoid. The panels may hence be shaped such that the coffin is shaped as any prism, such as a trapezoid prism. From this, it follows that two panels which are substantially parallel to each other may be oriented at a slight angle relative to each other, for example 5 degrees or less, or 10 degrees or less.

The side panels may each comprise at least one male mating part extending in a direction away from the bottom panel. The lid may comprise at least two female mating parts, and the male mating parts of the side panels may form an interlocking connection with the female mating parts of the lid. By providing the side panels with the male mating parts and by providing the lid with the female mating parts, the manufacturing of these panels may be simplified.

When the male mating parts of the side panels each comprise a thickened section at a distal end, an interlocking connection may be obtained with the lid in which all degrees of freedom are constrained between the lid and the side panels except for a translation in the direction with which the interlocking connection is established. In particular, a movement of the lid in a direction away from the bottom panel may be constrained, and the lid may be securely fastened in place also when the coffin is lifted at the lid.

5 In general, any male mating part may comprise one or more thickened sections. In particular, a thickened section may be provided at or near a distal end of a male mating part. Since the shape of a female mating part 1s complementary to the male mating part with which it 1s arranged to form an interlocking connection, any female mating part may comprise one or more enlarged chambers with a shape complementary to the one or more thickened sections of a male mating part. To provide support to the bottom panel in use in a direction opposite to gravity, the bottom panel may be interlockingly connected to a first of the two end panels. Additionally or alternatively, a side mating member comprises a horizontal side mating member forming the interlocking connection with the adjacent bottom mating member. When the bottom panel is connected to a second of the end panels by virtue of one or more pins extending through the second of the end panels into the bottom panel, a movement of the second of the end panels away in a direction away from the bottom panel may be prevented. A movement of the second of the end panels in the direction away from the bottom panel may otherwise release the interlocking connection between the second of the end panels and the side panels. In use, this direction may be a vertical direction. In particular embodiments, a first of the horizontal side mating member and the bottom mating member may comprise a female mating member and a second of the horizontal side mating member and the bottom mating member may comprise a male mating member. A side mating member may comprise two vertical side mating members forming the interlocking connection with the adjacent end mating members. The two vertical mating members are provided at a distance from each other, and may be placed at or near opposite ends of the side panel. The two vertical mating members may as a further option be placed substantially parallel, and may in use be oriented perpendicular to the bottom panel.

In particular embodiments, a first of the vertical side mating member and the end mating member may comprise a female mating member and a second of the vertical side mating member and the end mating member may comprise a male mating member.

In general, a male mating member may comprise a ridge of which a width increases away from the applicable panel and a female mating member may comprise a groove complementary to the ridge.

A second aspect provides a kit of parts for assembling a coffin, comprising a bottom panel, comprising two mating members provided at opposite ends of the bottom panel. The kit of parts further comprises two side panels, each comprising in a first plane a mating member for forming an interlocking connection with the bottom panel and two mating members for forming an interlocking connection with two end panels and in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane at least one mating member for forming an interlocking connection with a lid, two end panels, each comprising two mating members at opposite ends of the first end panel for forming an interlocking connection with mating members of the side panels, and a lid, comprising at least two mating members for forming an interlocking connection with the two side panels.

With the kit of parts, a coffin may be assembled, which for example may be a coffin according to the first aspect. Preferably, no tools such as screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, hex keys, and drills are required for assembling the coffin, which may be achieved by virtue of the interlockingly connectable panels and lid.

When at least one end panel comprises at least one through hole and the bottom panel comprises at least one blind hole, the kit of parts may further comprise at least one pin arranged to protrude through the through hole and into the blind hole. The pin may be a dowel, for example a wooden dowel.

Preferably, each part in the kit of parts consists of combustible material. Examples of combustible materials are wood, cardboard and paper. Examples of non-combustible materials are metals.

As a further option, each part in the kit of parts may consist of degradable material. Examples of degradable materials are wood, cardboard and paper. A degradable material will decompose when buried underground for a particular amount of time, for example within twenty years, forty years, sixty years or a hundred years. Examples of non-degradable materials are metals.

A third aspect provides a method of assembling a coffin. The method comprises the steps of placing two side panels substantially parallel to each other, sliding a first end panel between the two side panels in a direction perpendicular to an elongation direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between mating members of the first end panel and the two side panels, sliding a bottom panel between the two side panels in a direction parallel to the elongation direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between mating members of the bottom panel and the two side panels, sliding a second end panel between the two side panels in a direction perpendicular to the elongation direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between mating members of the second end panel and the two side panels, and sliding a lid over the two side panels such that an interlocking connection is obtained between mating members of the lid and the two side panels.

The method may further comprise placing a dowel in a first through hole of the first end panel and a first blind hole comprised by the bottom panel, which first through hole and first blind hole are aligned to receive the dowel. With the dowel, the first end panel may be connected to the bottom panel such that movement of the first end panel away from the bottom panel 1s restricted. As a further option, the method may further comprise sliding a second bottom panel between the two side panels in a direction parallel to the elongation direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between the second bottom panel and the two side panels. Hence, a coffin may comprise more than one bottom panel, for example two, three or even more. It will be appreciated that different options discussed in conjunction with one of the aspects may be readily applied to embodiments of the other aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aspects and embodiments thereof will now be elucidated in conjunction with figures. In the figures: Fig. 1A shows an embodiment of a coffin; Fig. 1B shows a first assembly step; Fig. 2A shows an optional second assembly step; Fig. 2B shows a third assembly step; Figs. 3A and 3B shows consecutive optional assembly steps; Fig. 4A shows a fourth assembly step; Fig. 4B shows a further optional assembly step; Figs. 5A and 5B depict a fifth assembly step; Figs. 6A and 6B schematically depict a cross-section of part of a lid and a side panel; Fig. 7A shows a coffin; Fig. 7B shows an optional further assembly step; Fig. 1A shows an embodiment of a coffin 100 which has been assembled from a kit of parts. In the subsequent figures, different steps of a method for assembling a coffin from a kit of parts are depicted. The sequence in which the steps may be followed is not necessarily the sequence in which the figures are shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The coffin 100 comprises a lid 102, a left side panel 104 and a foot panel 106 as a first end panel. Not shown in Fig. 1A due to the view of the figure are a bottom panel, right side panel and a head panel as a second end panel. The coffin 100 may be shaped to accommodate a body of a human and/or animal, adult and/or child.

Fig. 1B shows a first assembling step, wherein the foot panel 106 is interlockingly connected to the left side panel 104. In this particular embodiment, the foot panel 106 comprises a dovetail 108 as a male mating member and the left side panel 104 comprises a groove 110 (not visible) as a female mating member. The groove 110 is shaped complementary to the dovetail 108. By sliding the dovetail 108 into the groove 110 in the direction indicated with letter A the interlocking connection between the foot panel 106 and the left side panel 104 is obtained.

A similar dovetail 108 may be provided on an opposite side of the foot panel 106 for constituting an interlocking connection with the right side panel. The interlocking connection between the foot panel 106 and the left side panel 104 may be constituted simultaneously with the interlocking connection between the foot panel 106 and the right side panel.

An alternative assembly step is depicted in Fig. 2A. This figure shows part of a coffin 100, with the left side panel 104, foot panel 106, and a right side panel 114. The right side panel 114 is oriented substantially parallel to the left side panel 114, and the side panels are oriented substantially perpendicular to the foot panel 106.

By sliding the right side panel 114 in a direction indicated with arrow B, an interlocking connection may be obtained between the right side panel 114 and the foot panel 106. In particular, a second dovetail 108 as a male mating member comprised by the foot panel 106 may be slid into a groove 111 comprised by the right side panel 114.

Fig. 2B shows a third assembly step wherein a first bottom panel 116 is interlockingly connected with the left side panel 104 and the right side panel 114. As an example, the first bottom panel 116 comprises two L- shaped male mating members 118 at two opposite sides of the first bottom panel 116. The left side panel 104 and the right side panel 114 both comprise a horizontal groove 120 as a female mating member, in particular as a horizontal side mating member, arranged to receive at least part of a male mating member 118 of the first bottom panel 116.

By sliding the first bottom panel 116 in a direction indicated with arrow C, an interlocking connection may be obtained between the first bottom panel 116 and the side panels 104, 114 by virtue of the male mating member 118 mating with the horizontal grooves 120.

As an option, the first bottom panel 116 may be slid all the way against the foot panel 106. Alternatively, the first bottom panel 116 may comprises a further male mating member 119 as an example of a bottom mating member, which may be formed by the first bottom panel 116 itself. Alternatively, the further male mating member 119 is thinner than the first bottom panel 116.

When the first bottom panel 116 is slid sufficiently far in the direction indicated with arrow C, this further male mating member 119 may interlockingly connect with an end panel groove 125 as a female mating member comprised by the foot panel 106. As such, an interlocking connection may be achieved between the first bottom panel 116 and each of the left side panel 104, right side panel 114, and the foot panel 106.

Figs. 3A and 3B shows consecutive optional assembly steps. In these figures, respectively, the coffin 100 comprises an optional second bottom panel 117 and an optional third bottom panel 119. These optional bottom panels may comprise male mating members similar to the first bottom panel 116. As such, the optional bottom panels may be slid into the horizontal grooves 120 of the side panels to interlockingly connect with these side panels. It will be appreciated that embodiments of coffins 100 are envisioned comprising even more than three bottom panels.

One or more dowels 131 as an example of pins may be used to connect adjacent bottom panels. Such dowels 131 may protrude into blind holes provided both of the adjacent bottom panels.

Fig. 4A shows a fourth assembly step, wherein a head panel 122 as an end panel is interlockingly connected with the left side panel 104 and the right side panel 114. The head panel 122 comprises dovetails 126 as male mating members, in particular as examples of end mating members, at two opposite sides. The right side panel 114 and the left side panel 104 both comprise a vertical groove 128 as a female mating part, in particular as a vertical side mating member, arranged to mate with the dovetails 126 of the head panel

122. By sliding the head panel 122 in a direction indicated with arrow D, the interlocking connection between the head panel 122 and both the right side panel 114 and the left side panel 104 may be constituted. As an option, the head panel 122 comprises a recessed portion 129 which is arranged to abut the third bottom panel 119. In other embodiments of the coffin, the recessed portion 129 may aby the first bottom panel 116, second bottom panel 117, or any other bottom panel provided nearest to the head panel 122. Fig. 4B shows a further optional assembly step, wherein one or more dowels 131 are pushed into one or more through holes 133 comprised by the head panel in a direction indicated with arrow E. The dowels 131 are furthermore pushed into one or more blind holes comprised by the third end panel 119, or any other end panel most adjacent to the head panel 122. By virtue of the one or more dowels 131, the position of the head panel 122 may be fully constrained together with the interlocking connection with the side panels.

Figs. 5A and 5B depict a fifth assembly step, wherein the lid 102 is slid onto the coffin 100 in a direction indicated by arrow F. In embodiments, the arrow F may be pointing towards the head panel, or the foot panel 102.

As is depicted in the detailed Fig. 5B, the lid 102 comprises a lid groove 151 as a female mating member, and the left side panel 104 comprises a male mating part 152 shaped complementary to the lid groove

151. The male mating part 152 comprises a thickened section 153 at a distal end, and the lid groove 151 is shaped complementary.

The male mating part 152 with the thickened section 153 is an example of a ridge of which a width increases away from the panel, in this case the left side panel 104.

As an option, the left side panel 104 comprises a keyway 154 and the male mating part 152 is a key which is arranged to be keyed with the keyway 154. This may allow for a more convenient manufacturing process of the side panels. The keyway is for example also depicted in Figs. 3A and 3B, and a side panel may comprise two keyways with an entrance for a key at opposite sides.

A side panel may comprise any number of male mating parts 152 to form the interlocking connection with the lid 102. For example, one male mating part, two male mating parts, three male mating parts as depicted in the figures, or more than three male mating parts.

Figs. 6A and 6B schematically depict a cross-section of part of a lid 102 and a side panel 104. The cross-section is obtained in a plane through the side panel 104 of Fig. 5B, in particular through the thickened section 153 and perpendicular to the foot panel 106. Between the situation depicted in Figs. 6A and 6B, the lid 102 has been slid in the direction indicated by arrow F. The lid groove 151 may be shaped to be partially complementary to the entire male mating part 152 of the side panel, and partially only complementary to the thickened section 153. The thickened section 153 may hence be hooked behind part of the lid 102, as depicted in Fig. 6B, and as such an interlocking connection may be achieved between the lid 102 and the side panel 104.

Fig. 7A shows the coffin 100 as assembled using the assembly steps as discussed above. Fig. 7B shows an optional further assembly step in which a fastening member 170 is inserted into a through hole 172 of the lid 102 in a direction indicated with arrow G. The fastening member 170, which may be embodied as a screw, bolt, pin, dowel, or as any other type of fastening member 170, may extended into a hole of the left side panel 104. As such, a movement of the lid 102 relative to the left side panel 104 in a direction parallel to the direction indicated with arrow F may be prevented.

In general, any number of fastening members 170 may be used, for example four, six, or eight. Hence, the lid 102 may comprise a complementary number of through holes 172, for example at least one provided on each corner of the lid.

It is again stipulated that wherever in the description a first component comprises a male mating member and a second component comprises a female mating member, and the first and second component are arranged to be interlockingly connected, embodiments are envisioned wherein the first component comprises the female mating member and the second component comprises the male mating member.

It will be appreciated that options disclosed in conjunction with one of the side panels may be readily applied to the other one of the side panels. Similarly, options disclosed in conjunction with one of the end panels may be readily applied to the other one of the end panels.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” or “onto” another element, the element is either directly on the other element,

or intervening elements may also be present. Also, it will be understood that the values given in the description above, are given by way of example and that other values may be possible and/or may be strived for. Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

It is to be noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting examples. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one’, but instead are used to mean 'at least one’, and do not exclude a plurality.

A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various parameters and values thereof disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

Aspects and embodiments thereof may be summarised in a non- limitative way by means of the following numbered embodiments:

1. Coffin, comprising: - a quadrilateral bottom panel provided with bottom mating members at opposite edges of the bottom panel;

- two quadrilateral side panels orientated substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel, the side panels being provided with side mating members at at least three edges thereof; - two quadrilateral end panels orientated substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel and the side panels, the end panels being provided with end mating member at at least two opposite edges thereof; and - a lid, wherein the two end panels are interlockingly connected to the two side panels by means of mating of adjacent side mating members with end mating members, the bottom panel is interlockingly connected to the two side panels by means of mating of adjacent side mating members with bottom mating members, and wherein the lid is connected to the two side panels.

2. Coffin according to embodiment 1, wherein the side panels each comprise at least one male mating part extending in a direction away from the bottom panel, the lid comprises at least two female mating parts, and the male mating parts of the side panels form an interlocking connection with the female mating parts of the lid.

3. Coffin according to embodiment 2, wherein the male mating parts of the side panels each comprise a thickened section at a distal end.

4. Coffin according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the bottom panel is interlockingly connected to at least first of the two end panels.

5. Coffin according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the bottom panel is connected to a second of the end panels by virtue of one or more pins extending through the second of the end panels into the bottom panel.

6. Coffin according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a side mating member comprises a horizontal side mating member forming the interlocking connection with the adjacent bottom mating member.

7. Coffin according to embodiment 6, wherein a first of the horizontal side mating member and the bottom mating member comprises a female mating member and a second of the horizontal side mating member and the bottom mating member comprises a male mating member.

8. Coffin according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a side mating member comprises two vertical side mating members forming the interlocking connections with the adjacent end mating members.

9. Coffin according to embodiment 8, wherein a first of the vertical side mating member and the end mating member comprises a female mating member and a second of the vertical side mating member and the end mating member comprises a male mating member.

10. Coffing according to embodiment 2, embodiment 7 or embodiment 9, wherein the male mating member comprises a ridge of which a width increases away from the applicable panel and the female mating member comprises a groove complementary to the ridge.

11. Kit of parts for assembling a coffin, comprising: - a bottom panel, comprising two mating members provided at opposite ends of the bottom panel; - two side panels, each comprising in a first plane a mating member for forming an interlocking connection with the bottom panel and two mating members for forming an interlocking connection with two end panels and further comprising in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane at least one mating member for forming an interlocking connection with a lid;

- two end panels, each comprising two mating members at opposite ends of the end panels for forming an interlocking connection with mating members of the side panels; and - a lid, comprising at least two mating members for forming an interlocking connection with the two side panels.

12. Kit of parts according to embodiment 11, wherein at least one end panel comprises at least one through hole, the bottom panel comprises at least one blind hole, and wherein the kit of parts comprises at least one pin arranged to protrude through the through hole and into the blind hole.

13. Kit of parts according to any of the embodiments 11-12, wherein each part in the kit of parts consists of combustible material.

14. Kit of parts according to any of the embodiments 11-13, wherein each part 1n the kit of parts consists of degradable material.

15. Kit of parts according to any of the embodiments 11-14, wherein the kit of parts is arranged to be assembled into a coffin according to any of the embodiments 1-10.

16. Method of assembling a coffin, comprising: - placing two side panels substantially parallel to each other; - sliding a first end panel between the two side panels in a direction substantially perpendicular to an elongation direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between mating members of the first end panel and the two side panels; - sliding a bottom panel between the two side panels in a direction substantially parallel to the elongation direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between mating members of the bottom panel and the two side panels; - sliding a second end panel between the two side panels in a direction perpendicular to the elongation direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between mating members of the second end panel and the two side panels; and - sliding a lid over the two side panels such that an interlocking connection is obtained between mating members of the lid and the two side panels.

17. Method according to embodiment 16, further comprising: - placing a dowel in a first through hole of the first end panel and a first blind hole comprised by the bottom panel, which first through hole and first blind hole are aligned to receive the dowel.

18. Method according to embodiment 16 or embodiment 17, further comprising sliding a second bottom panel between the two side panels in a direction parallel to the elongation direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between the second bottom panel and the two side panels.

Claims (18)

Claims Funeral coffin, comprising: - a four-sided bottom panel provided with bottom mating parts on opposite sides of the bottom panel; two panels oriented substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel, wherein the side panels have side mating members on at least three sides thereof; two end panels oriented substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel and the side panels, the end panels being provided with end mating members on at least two opposite sides thereof; and - a lid, wherein the two end panels are intermeshingly connected to the two side panels by interlocking side mating members with end mating members, the bottom panel is intermeshingly connected to the two side panels by interengaging side mating members with bottom mating members, and wherein the lid is connected is with the two side panels. The casket of claim 1, wherein the side panels each include at least one male mating member extending in a direction away from the bottom panel, the lid includes at least two female mating members, and the male mating members of the side panels form an interlocking engagement with the female mating parts of the lid. The casket of claim 1, wherein the male mating portions of the side panels each include a thickened portion at a distal white end. A casket according to any preceding claim, wherein the bottom panel is intermeshingly connected to at least a first of the two end panels. A casket according to any preceding claim, wherein the bottom panel is connected to a second of the end panels by means of one or more pins projecting through the second of the end panels into the bottom panel. A casket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a side mating member comprises a horizontal side mating member which forms the interlocking connection with the adjacent bottom mating member. A casket according to claim 6, wherein a first of the horizontal side mating part and the bottom mating part comprises a female mating part and a second of the horizontal side mating part and the bottom mating part comprises a male mating part. A casket according to any preceding claim, wherein a side mating member comprises two vertical side mating members which form the interlocking connections with the adjacent end mating members. The casket of claim 8, wherein a first of the vertical side mating member and the end mating member comprises a female mating member and a second of the vertical side mating member and the end mating member comprises a male mating member. A casket according to claim 2, claim 7 or claim 9, wherein the male mating member comprises a ridge whose width increases away from the appropriate panel and the female mating member comprises a groove complementary to the ridge. 11. Set of parts for assembling a funeral coffin, comprising: - a bottom panel, comprising two mating parts provided on opposite sides of the bottom panel; - two side panels, each comprising in a first plane a mating part for forming an interlocking connection with the bottom panel and two mating parts for forming an interlocking connection with two end panels and further comprising in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane at least one mating part for forming an interlocking connection with a lid; - two end panels, each comprising two mating parts on opposite sides of the end panels for forming an interlocking connection with mating parts of the side panels; and - a cover comprising at least two mating parts for forming an interlocking connection with two side panels. The set of parts according to claim 11, wherein at least one end panel comprises at least one hole, the bottom panel comprises at least one blind hole, and wherein the set of parts comprises at least one pin adapted to pass through the hole and into the blind. to poke a hole. A set of parts according to any one of claims 11-12, wherein each part in the set of parts consists of combustible material. A set of parts according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein each part in the set of parts consists of degradable material. 15. Set of parts according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the set of parts is adapted to be assembled into a funeral box according to any one of claims 1-10. 16. Method for assembling a funeral coffin, comprising: - placing two side panels substantially parallel to each other; sliding a first end panel between the two side panels in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between mating parts of the first end panel and the two side panels; sliding a bottom panel between the two side panels in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between mating parts of the bottom panel and the two side panels; sliding a second end panel between the two side panels in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between mating parts of the second end panel and the two side panels; and - sliding a cover over the two side panels such that an interlocking connection is obtained between mating parts of the cover and the two side panels. A method according to claim 16, further comprising: placing a dowel in a first hole of the first end panel and a first blind hole included through the bottom panel, the first hole and first blind hole being aligned for receiving the dowel. The method of claim 16 or 17, further comprising sliding a second bottom panel between the two side panels in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side panels to form an interlocking connection between the second bottom panel and the two side panels.