Are coffins and sarcophagusses the same thing?

Answer 1

In the wider sense of the words, yes; in the narrower sense, no.

Both are funeral receptacles for dead persons. A sarcophagus (an ancient Greek word meaning "flesh eating limestone") is a funeral receptacle which typically is made of stone. In most cases the sarcophagus is placed above the ground so that the carvings and inscriptions, which oftentimes ornament the outside, can be seen. A casket or coffin is usually placed in a grave below the ground. In cemeteries with boggy or flooded ground the casket might be placed in a tomb above the ground, though. In a way, these tombs can be regarded as big sarcophagi.

Sometimes a casket is called - somewhat incorrectly - a sarcophagus. In the US for example. the National Casket Company of Boston manufactured in the 20th century a cast bronze casket called "Sarcophagus". A somewhat modified new version of this luxury design is currently produced by the York-Matthews company under the type designation "Pharaoh Sarcophagus". These are by far the most expensive caskets available and with some 1200 lbs they also approach the enormous weight of stone sarcophagi.

Answer 2

yes they are. omg they just look different