The Cocoon reinterprets the coffin

Given that people pride themselves on being so individualistic in life, it’s interesting to note that the coffin remains substantially the same rectilinear shape for most people. So we thought the Cocoon deserved a mention as it’s a reinterpretation of the traditional coffin and steps into new territory in terms of its symbolism. The Cocoon shape is borrowed from nature to symbolise a feeling of security and the passage to something new. Nature’s theme of the “perfect shelter” is furthered by the use of renewable fast-growing primary resources (untreated jute and a natural resin) that bio-degrade within 10-15 years. At UE3000 plus shipping, the Cocoon can be delivered anywhere in Germany within 2-3 days and anywhere in Europe within a week. Clearly, there's an opportunity for international distributors of the product.

The winner of an IDEA Silver Medal at the 2006 awards, the philosophy of the Cocoon focuses on people who want to learn to live with the loss of somebody beloved. There is no elaborate decoration in order that “the focus should lie on the personality of the deceased.”

The company UONO was established in Germany in 2005 by Andreas Spiegel. After studies at the Universities of Passau and Munich, Spiegel was a lecturer at Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt when he first started to develop the concept of the Cocoon in 2004. His decision to reinterpret the traditional coffin design saw him leave classical terrain using “pure shapes” to achieve “timeless elegance.”

The Cocoon can be used in the cremation process too, and the high-gloss varnish is water based and harmless to the environment. Every coffin is manufactured exclusively by hand.