They did not even attempt to embellish it with any designs. The natural grain of the wood was decoration enough and they deftly placed an equally simple cross on it. That was all!

But if they had wanted, they could have lavished on his body and his coffin precious metals and stones - the Roman Catholic Church is rich and powerful enough to afford any such extravagance, but they chose instead to let humility and restraint rule the day.

Any comparisons and contrasts with funerals here in Ghana would demean the message I am trying to convey, so let us just end by saying R.I.P. Papa Johannes Paulus.