What is a coffin?

A coffin is primarily defined as a receptacle designed specifically for the containment of dead human remains. It serves the purpose of holding and protecting the deceased during transport, viewings, and burial. Coffins come in various shapes and materials, typically characterized by a broader design at the shoulders and a tapered foot. This design distinguishes them from other types of burial containers, such as caskets, which generally have a rectangular shape with a more elaborate construction.

The other options represent different aspects of funeral practices or memorialization but do not fit the definition of a coffin. A monument typically refers to a structure or marker that commemorates the deceased but does not serve as a container for the remains. A small headstone is meant to mark a grave site and also does not enclose remains. A burial vault is an outer container designed to protect the coffin and is often used to prevent the grave from sinking. Therefore, the correct understanding of a coffin is that it is specifically meant to hold the remains of the deceased.