A German painter has taken to decorating coffins with flowers and other symbols of nature on the belief that plain coffins failed to address the emotional needs of society. He stumbled on the idea while working for a funeral home.

Alfred Opiolka, 46, says that dealing with death is much more bearable for the bereaved when you remember the beauty of life in a person's final resting place.

"I see the painting almost as a kind of service to the community, even though I don't want to talk about it terms which sound too elevated," he said. "It makes me very happy that I can really move people by doing this work for them."

"I think the commission changed my life. I've thought about life and death differently since and have a new perspective," he added.

Opiolka started painting coffins about three months ago, and has received a handful of commissions.

He uses water-based paints for the pinewood coffins start at $1,986.

"I was asked once what I'd do if someone wanted a Snickers coffin," he said. "I'm a tolerant person, and if it really matters to someone, they should get one. But others could do that. It's not something that would be right for me."