 As they are the movie 's " central dramatic piece " , the encoffining ceremonies in Departures have received extensive commentary . Mike Scott , for instance , wrote in The Times @-@ Picayune that these scenes were beautiful and heartbreaking , and Nicholas Barber of The Independent described them as " elegant and dignified " . James Adams of The Globe and Mail wrote that they were a " dignified ritual of calming , hypnotic grace , with sleights of hand bordering on the <unk> " . As the film continues , Paul Byrnes of The Sydney Morning Herald opined , the audience gains an improved knowledge of the ceremony and its importance . Viewers see that the ceremonies are not simply about preparing the body , but also about " bring [ ing ] dignity to death , respect to the deceased and solace to those who grieve " , through which the encoffiners are able to help repair broken family ties and heal damage done to those left behind . 
