On the outskirts of Accra, Ghana, carpenter Eric Adotey Kpakpo is completing a distinctive wooden coffin shaped like a giant crab, intended for a deceased fisherman. Known as "Erico," the 49-year-old craftsman is among the artisans responsible for Ghana’s renowned fantasy coffins—elaborate, handcrafted caskets designed to honor and celebrate the lives of the deceased.

Unlike conventional rectangular coffins, these vibrant creations are fashioned to resemble objects, animals, or vehicles that symbolize the profession, personality, or interests of the person being laid to rest. For example, fishermen may be buried in coffins shaped like fish or crabs, while others may receive final tributes in forms reflecting their occupation or passions, such as footballs for athletes, religious symbols for spiritual leaders, or airplanes for pilots.

This distinctive funerary practice is most closely associated with the Ga ethnic group from the Greater Accra region in southern Ghana, where the coffins are locally known as abebuu adekai, or "proverb boxes." The tradition emerged in the mid-20th century and has evolved into a specialized craft passed down through multiple generations of artisans.

Each fantasy coffin is carefully handcrafted, often requiring several weeks of detailed carving, assembly, and painting to complete. The workshops where these coffins are made serve as both artistic studios and cultural hubs, preserving a unique form of expression that turns funerals into celebrations of life. Through these intricate designs, families aim to commemorate the individuality of their loved ones, blending cultural heritage with personal narratives in the final moments of remembrance.