Wicknell Chivayo’s US$217,000 Gold Coffin, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz Caskets Turn Heads
Wicknell Chivayo was given a send-off reflecting his well-known association with luxury vehicles, with custom Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz-themed caskets displayed at Doves Funeral Services in Harare as funeral proceedings got underway. Pictures from the funeral parlour showed two striking white caskets, one featuring a Rolls-Royce-style grille bearing the registration WMC 777, while another carried a Mercedes-Benz-inspired front and was draped with the Zimbabwean flag. Large white floral arrangements and candles completed the elaborate displays, quickly turning the caskets into a major talking point on social media.
The distinctive automotive-themed caskets have drawn attention during the funeral proceedings.
But behind the attention-grabbing car-themed displays is an even more expensive detail: sources close to the family say Chivayo's actual final resting coffin is a Malaysian-made 14-carat gold casket valued at approximately US$217,000, reportedly imported specifically for his burial. Funeral industry players say the vehicle-themed display caskets cost considerably less, with similar designs reportedly ranging from US$4,500 to US$7,500 each depending on their construction, finish and detailing. The striking farewell has therefore combined automotive-inspired funeral design with one of the most expensive coffins to feature in Zimbabwe's recent funeral spotlight.
The Rolls-Royce And Mercedes-Benz Caskets
One of the most eye-catching displays at the funeral parlour was a white casket designed to resemble the front of a Rolls-Royce. The design incorporated a prominent luxury-car grille and carried the registration WMC 777, adding a highly personalised element to the presentation.
Rolls-Royce-Inspired Front
The casket was constructed with the appearance of a luxury vehicle's front end, including a prominent grille and automotive styling intended to evoke the Rolls-Royce brand.
Personalised WMC 777 Plate
The inclusion of the WMC 777 registration gave the casket an additional personal touch and reinforced the connection between the funeral display and Chivayo's public association with luxury vehicles.
Flowers And Candles
Large white floral arrangements and candles were positioned around the casket, creating an elaborate and solemn presentation at the funeral parlour.
Alongside Chivayo's Rolls-Royce-inspired design was a second white casket styled around Mercedes-Benz. The vehicle-inspired front gave the pair of caskets a coordinated luxury-automotive theme.
Mercedes-Benz Styling
The casket featured a Mercedes-Benz-inspired front design, creating the appearance of a luxury vehicle and complementing the Rolls-Royce-themed casket displayed alongside it.
Zimbabwean Flag Display
A Zimbabwean flag was draped over the Mercedes-Benz-themed casket, adding a national element to the otherwise heavily automotive-inspired presentation.
Coordinated Floral Tribute
Like the Rolls-Royce-inspired casket, the Mercedes-Benz-themed display was surrounded by white flowers and candles as mourners gathered to pay their respects.
The US$217,000 Gold Coffin
While the car-themed caskets attracted the cameras and social media attention, the biggest financial talking point surrounding Chivayo's burial is reportedly his actual final resting coffin.
Malaysian-made 14-carat gold casket reportedly imported specifically for Chivayo's burial.
Separate From The Display Caskets
The reported US$217,000 gold coffin should be distinguished from the Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz-themed caskets seen at the funeral parlour. The latter are described as display caskets, while sources close to the family say the gold casket is intended to be Chivayo's final resting coffin.
Imported For The Burial
According to sources close to the family, the Malaysian-made gold casket was imported specifically for the burial, adding another extraordinary detail to the funeral arrangements.
A Growing Luxury Funeral Trend
Vehicle-themed caskets are not entirely new. The concept has gained visibility in parts of South Africa and the United States, where specialist funeral and coachbuilding companies create coffins designed to resemble luxury cars.
Custom-Built Designs
The foot-end of the coffin can be shaped to mimic the front of a luxury vehicle, with manufacturers incorporating features such as chrome-style grilles, vehicle-inspired bodywork, custom number plates and, in some designs, working lights.
Display Casket Costs
Funeral industry players cited in the report estimate that car-themed caskets can cost between US$4,500 and US$7,500 on the local market, depending on the materials, craftsmanship, finish and level of customisation.
Social Media Reaction
The unusual designs have generated significant discussion online, with many social media users focusing on the striking resemblance between the caskets and the luxury vehicles associated with Chivayo and his family.
A Funeral Reflecting A Luxury-Car Legacy
The choice of Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz designs has attracted particular attention because of Chivayo's public association with expensive vehicles.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Chivayo became widely associated with Rolls-Royce Cullinans, among the most recognisable luxury SUVs in the world, making the Rolls-Royce-inspired funeral design particularly symbolic to observers.
Mercedes-Maybach
He was also known for gifting or being associated with Mercedes-Maybach vehicles, another ultra-luxury brand whose design influence appeared in the funeral arrangements.
Luxury From Life To Farewell
The automotive-themed caskets therefore created a visual connection between the luxury vehicles that featured prominently in Chivayo's public image and the final funeral arrangements now attracting attention across Zimbabwe.
From Doves To Gletwin And Sahwira Glen Forest
The elaborate casket display forms part of a wider funeral programme as family members, friends and mourners gather to pay their final respects to Chivayo and his wife, Lucy “Lulu” Muteke.
Doves Funeral Services
The luxury-themed caskets were displayed at Doves Funeral Services in Harare, where images of the unusual designs began circulating and attracting attention.
Gletwin Mansion
Chivayo and Lulu are expected to lie in state at their Gletwin mansion, giving family members, friends and mourners an opportunity to gather before the burial.
Thursday Burial
The couple's burial is scheduled to take place at Sahwira Glen Forest Memorial Park on Thursday, marking the final stage of the funeral programme.
Sona News Analysis
The US$217,000 Detail Changes The Story
The Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz-inspired caskets immediately became the visual highlight of the funeral, but the reported US$217,000 gold coffin adds another significant dimension to the story. The reported price places the final resting coffin in a completely different category from the vehicle-themed display caskets.
Luxury Motoring Remains A Strong Theme
From the WMC 777 registration to the Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz designs, the funeral arrangements repeatedly reference the luxury vehicles associated with Chivayo's public image. The result is a highly distinctive visual tribute that has naturally attracted widespread online attention.
Display Caskets Versus The Final Coffin
One of the most important distinctions in the story is that the Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz-themed caskets are not being presented as the reported US$217,000 final resting coffin. The vehicle-themed designs have served as the highly visible display pieces, while sources close to the family identify the gold coffin as Chivayo's reported final resting casket.
LOCAL ZIMBABWE NEWS
Report: Funeral proceedings and information provided by sources close to the family.
Written By: Oudney Patsika
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