Escaping the Coffin?

The Adlington Cemetery in Lancashire is home to a large number of impressive headstones and memorial. For example, take a look at the work that has gone into the headstone commemorating James Snape who died, aged 22, in 1888. The scene depicted with the figure clinging to the cross contains much symbolism. My eyes were draw to the bottom left of the scene. A hand breaks through the earth below what looks like part of a wooden coffin. I found it a little disconcerting.