The luxury car-inspired caskets of late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife, Lucy Muteke, have attracted attention online as the couple prepares for their final burial.
Chivayo’s white casket was designed with a luxury-car-style grille and carries the personalised marking “WMC 777”, while Lucy’s features a Mercedes-Benz-inspired front. The unusual designs stood out during the funeral procession in Harare, where Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz vehicles were also part of the convoy.
The couple died on September 30 after the helicopter they were travelling in crashed at Kudenga Farm in Marondera. The crash also claimed the lives of the other people onboard. The impact and subsequent fire severely damaged the bodies, with the family later confirming that there would be no viewing before the burial.
The condition of their remains has added a grim dimension to the final send-off, with family members confirming that the heads of Chivayo and Lucy were not recovered after the crash. They are being buried side by side at Glen Forest Cemetery in Harare.
As images of the unusual caskets circulated online, social media users shared different opinions, with some focusing on the elaborate designs and others reflecting on death and the temporary nature of wealth.
@hanoj_ibsen: “The casket are headed for greatness since there are no heads inside”
@wycliff_alchy: “unfortunately whether it’s the most expensive caskets in the continent NO one will desire it’s presence in their lives. From dust man was created and to dust a man shall return!!! Death is inevitable.”
@foreign_intro: “He didn’t want to try helicopter inspired?? It is way classy than just vehicles…”
@williamwafula02: “is the guy really dead? Gold caskets, kwanza theme ya magari. Only he could come up with that idea either in a will or in a live video/call with the organizers.”
@patmashaa: “Don’t show this to Kasongo’s opulent and high flying boys”
@mugalawrence: “Unfortunately, when you are gone, it marks the end of earthly Glory. The souls are gone. What is left is their remains.”
@ChMain068: “Just tasteless consumers…the money he had couldn’t save him nor unlame him”
@iano504: “Still vanity now from dust you shall return”
@NoorMune: “For us The Kafan (shroud) has never gone out of fashion, regardless of who you are, people are equal before God regardless of status or wealth in life.”
@drtamalehenry: “Whatever is inside there, no matter how glittery, is rotting, unfortunately!”
The reactions have drawn further attention to the striking casket designs, while the circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths have also prompted somber reflections about wealth, status and mortality.