In Ghana, death is not seen as an end, but a transition phase into a more powerful existence in the spiritual world.
Now as some form of expression of deep respect, many families in the country commission, elaborate and design custom-made coffins that reflect the identity, profession, or passions of the deceased.
Known as fantasy coffins, these handcrafted pieces of creative art can take the shape of anything from cars and airplanes to animals, tools, or everyday objects.
A coffin can be sculptured to look like a fish, a lion, a leopard, a Rolls Royce and even Coca-Cola bottle.
The elegant expressive coffins usually turn what would have been a solemn burial process into a colourful albeit powerful form of traditional, cultural and even contemporary expression sessions.
Originating with the Ga people in the Greater Accra Region, this tradition has been adopted throughout the Sahelian country and has so far even gained international recognition.
The Ga-Dangbe, Ga-Dangme, Ga-Adangme or Ga-Adangbe​, is an ethnic group mostly found in Ghana, as well as Togo and Benin.
For years they have been known to bury their loved ones in attractively designed traditional caskets, a fad which has now caught on throughout the country and beyond.
Nowadays it is common for people to design their own coffin while still alive so as to ensure that their journeys into the next world are undertaken inside the right caskets.
It also takes the gloom away from coffin makers who now regard their products as reflection of life other than just containers for the dead.
In fact the fancy Ghana coffins are not only being buried deep under, but also remain immortal, featuring in top galleries and museums around the world.
More than art, these artistic coffins tell stories, reflect past existence, and give hopes to the future as they celebrate life, legacy, and belief in the world here and beyond.
And where finances permit, the colourful coffins get transported in a matching decorated vehicle complete with an escort of dancing people in their tow.
For some observers, the Ghana coffins of art may one day found their place in the UNESCO World Heritage listing and even a slot in the Guinness World Record