(ANSA) - Plain, cypress-wood coffins like the one in which John Paul II was buried in April are set to become the latest thing in funeral fashion.
A funeral parlour in the northern town of Cesena has run ads in local papers for days, telling readers that so-called "Wojtyla coffins", named after the late Polish pontiff, are selling like hot cakes.
"Many people who lost their loved ones just after the pope's death asked to have them buried in similar coffins," the firm announced as it plugged the 'Karol Wojtyla' model. It put a photo of the papal coffin underneath the text for readers and prospective clients to study.
The coffin was seen by millions on television around the world as it lay on the steps of St Peter's Basilica on April 7 during what was possibly the grandest funeral in Vatican history. Immediately after the funeral, another firm of Italian undertakers - this one based in La Spezia - presented its 'Karol Kit' at the annual trade fair for funeral service operators in the Tuscan town of Carrara.
As well as the light-coloured wood coffin, the set included fancy candle holders and a five-metre bronze statue of Padre Pio, an Italian monk who was much loved, and eventually canonised, by John Paul II. A bronze bust of Karol Wojtyla, to be positioned so as to overlook a grave, was also available on request. John Paul left instructions that his coffin and grave were to be as simple as possible. The coffin had a black cross on top and no other decoration.
