In ancient Mediterranean culture, the deceased were often carried on an open bier to the burial site in public procession. The Greek term encompasses both the portable bier and enclosed coffin, though classical sources distinguish between stone sarcophagi and wooden carrying platforms. Luke's account of the widow of Nain specifically uses this term when Jesus encounters the funeral procession and touches the bier, stopping the bearers. The multilingual evidence (Spanish féretro, French cercueil) confirms the burial-transport sense.