Bukovinian craftsman has been making wooden coffins for 40 years: why youth are not interested in the craft.

Wooden Coffin Master Yaroslav Malysh

According to inkorr.com: Yaroslav Malysh from the village of Yablunytsia in Bukovina has been making wooden coffins by hand for over 40 years. He started this craft in his youth when he lost his father. Now it takes him only eight hours to create one coffin. The man skillfully combines traditional methods with modern technologies in his work.

“I made a coffin for myself with care. I don’t want to buy one because they are weak. If you start to put clay in, it immediately collapses, but mine doesn’t because it’s a thick board. At first, my children were afraid of this coffin, so I hid it everywhere – even in the hay,” says Yaroslav.

Besides coffins, Yaroslav also creates wells and houses, but notes that youth have lost interest in such crafts. At the same time, the popularity of environmentally friendly funerals is growing worldwide, which aim to reduce the negative impact on nature, becoming an alternative to traditional burials or cremation.

The story of Yaroslav illustrates that ancient crafts are still preserved in different regions, but they may disappear due to a lack of interest from the youth. It is important to realize that in the modern world, there is a growing trend towards environmentally conscious approaches, which is reflected even in funeral traditions.

Thus, Yaroslav Malysh's activities not only preserve traditions but also open new opportunities for an ecological approach to burials. His craft demonstrates the importance of combining the past with modern requirements, as preserving cultural heritage can become an important element in the future. In a rapidly changing world, the memory of traditions and respect for the environment can become key factors in shaping new trends in society.