Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?

Iv'e always wondered why its not like the person inside can climb out!Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?
Well, my mother made sure she watched as they screwed the lid closed on her ex. She wanted to be positively sure that bast@#$# couldn't escape!Why is it considered necessary to nail down the lid of a coffin?
Nailing doesn't prevent grave robbery, it speeds up decomposition and once the lid is closed there isn't any concern why the things carried inside would fall out.





Everyone feels more assured when what is inside is kept inside, things can go wacky.
I always thought it was to prevent an embarrasing situation should one of the pall bearers slip and fall, but I think they weld metal caskets shut to preserve the mummified (embalmed) remains. Actually, it's probably just another way for the mortician to collect some money.
I always thought it was to secure the lid in case it may get shifted. Water some times moves coffins around in the grave. also some graves are stacked and it would help secure them.


The professional answer would have to come from a funeral employee.
Grave Robbers maybe





or maybe part of a tradition





and also, earthquakes or tornados that might tear up the ground. no one wants to see a dead body or skeleton that is fresh from a coffin.
it's more so thieves can't steal the valuables inside the coffin as opposed to the dead person inside becoming a zombie and climbing out.
I guess so it won't fall off??


I don't know... I've always wondered more: why do we waste thousands of dollars on coffins that are going to be buried and never dug back up for re-use? I hope I never get buried, I want to be cremated!!
Dead people are fun and so are the worms that eat them. Nails arenreally used on coffins these a days. But back in the old west, let's just say that not everyone that got buried was dead.
coffins actually 'move' underground, nailing it down is just a precaution for when it has to be dug up (exhumed) or another added on top


a few nails wouldn't deter a grave robber, after all they have just dug down 6 feet!
To make a seal, and keep the smell contained, before the funeral and burial is another important reason in addition to those given here.
To discourage the grave robbers nicking the gold teeth/jewelry
Now a days they screw and bolt them on.It's to keep moisture and creepy crawlies out.I'm not sure why people want to look their best in the grave.It must be vanity.
';Hello, What's that knocking?';............';No mother in law, You can't come out';.
So it doesnt fall off when it is being lowered into the grave.
Maybe to hinder anyone from trying to access it from the outside...





good question
Its more so the people on the outside cant get in and steal things
its harder to get in plus if they tip it while carrying it, a person could fall out