Out of love, she placed a large gold necklace, one her mother adored, on her coffin. And also, a wad of cash, thinking: “so she won’t lack anything there… in case she has to pay for something.”
The intention was “good.” But the gesture revealed a dangerous belief: that salvation works like the world here, with payments, objects, and guarantees.
That’s the point:
when we say goodbye to someone, we don’t help them “take things with them”… we help them let go.
What NOT to put in the coffin (and why)
1) Money (coins, bills, large sums)
This is one of the most widespread superstitions. In some ancient cultures, it was believed that the deceased had to “pay” for a step or a journey.
But the Christian faith doesn’t teach that: no one can buy the soul’s rest, much less “with cash.”
Furthermore, money symbolizes attachment to earthly things. Placing it is like telling the soul:
“Remember material things,” when it precisely needs to be freed from them.
2) Jewelry, rings, chains, and valuables
Many want their loved one to “look good” or to depart with what they loved. But gold is useless to the soul, and for the living, it can become a false notion: that the value of farewell lies in objects.
There’s an even more delicate point: if the person had a strong attachment to their belongings, reminding them of this in their final moments can become a final emotional burden.
3) Personal objects that represent attachments
Keys, glasses, diaries, letters, saved photos, watches, cell phones… even today, some people place phones or tablets.
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