egypt-museum:

Sarcophagus vs Coffin

As part of their preparations for afterlife some Egyptians purchased a sarcophagus, a coffin and possibly an inner coffin. Coffins were generally made of wood, metal, stone or pottery. The ancient Egyptians believed that the body needed to be preserved here on Earth in order for the soul to have an afterlife. 

Although many Ancient Egyptian coffins and sarcophagi are decorated in a somewhat similar manner, each one is specifically made to help the person it was built for obtain passage to the afterlife. Gold and silver was used on some coffins, but this was generally reserved for kings or royalty.

Left: Sarcophagus of King Merneptah, the largest ever found in Egypt.

Right: Wooden coffin of King Ramesses II.