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Handmade coffins for a traditional burial
21 Jun 2014 — Many traditional industries struggling to survive in modern society face difficulties in getting successors. Handmade coffins, just as any other traditional craft, are rapidly facing extinction in today's modern, machine-dominated world. In Muar lies a coffin-making workshop – one of the very few left in Malaysia. The Goh brothers are still running the shop, which has over 80 years of history, but they are retiring soon and there are no others to take over. It seems that very soon Muar, and Malaysia, will lose yet another piece of its tradition and heritage.
Some of tools used by the Goh brothers in making coffins are seen in a rack on the shop's wall. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
The Goh brothers focusing on their work in their shop. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
Goh Khuey Par using an axe as he prepares a coffin. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
Goh Khuey Hou preparing a coffin which requires dedicated craftsmanship. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
A cat looking at the Goh brothers, busy at work in their workshop in Muar. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
A teapot and calendars are seen on the wall at the Goh brothers' shop. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
Goh Khuey Par wiping the sweat off his face before he breaks for lunch. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
Goh Khuey Hou having his lunch while Khuey Par walks into their kitchen. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
Goh Khuey Par at a passageway of his shop in Muar. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
The Goh brothers working on coffins in their shop. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
Pieces of wood are seen on the floor of the Gohs' shop. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
Goh Khuey Par (left) and Khuey Hou. The brothers live, work and are growing old together. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, June 21, 2014.
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