Ananova:

An Italian firm of undertakers has unveiled its 2008 calendar - featuring glamour models draped over its range of coffins.

The calendar shows women in sexy underwear posing with coffins which can be ordered from the Cofanifunebri undertakers in Rome.

Owber Maurizio Matteucci defended the calendar - on sale at his firm's outlets for just £7 - which has caused outrage in the Catholic country.

He said: "It is good marketing but it is also but also a way to play down such a serious subject and to smile.

"Coffins are consumer goods like any other things, so I sell in the same way as any other consumer goods are sold. The calendar is very popular."