In Margaret Atwood's "Surfacing," the text explores the idea of coffins as a means to contain and preserve the dead, reflecting a deep-seated fear of decay and change. Coffins serve not only as a physical barrier but also as a metaphor for society's desire to maintain control over death and the natural process of transformation. This desire leads to practices such as applying makeup to the deceased, highlighting a reluctance to confront the realities of mortality.

The mention of having stones with names and dates on coffins further emphasizes the need for remembrance and recognition, but it also signifies an attempt to anchor the past. This weight symbolizes the burdens carried by the living, including the need to preserve memories and identities, while the act of "locking in" the dead showcases humanity's struggle with acceptance and the inevitability of change.