Funeral Casket Material Options

Choosing the funeral casket for a deceased loved one can be very difficult because of the emotion involved. At times, the family may experience doubt or regret about the chosen casket because they make the decision while grieving and without doing proper research. Usually the family members select the casket for its appearance, and because of that, they may ignore the price of the casket, or if it is appropriate for the deceased. It is helpful to learn about the different funeral casket materials before selecting a casket.

Purchasing a wood casket is like purchasing furniture, since wood caskets are made similar to how furniture is made. It is important to look at the quality of the wood used, how it was stained and polished, and the overall craftsmanship used to assemble the casket. The quality of the wood will vary with the price; however, no matter what you pay you want to ensure that you are purchasing a well-made product. The following are the most common woods used for a funeral casket.

Hardwood

Mahogany, Walnut, and Cherry are the most expensive and elegant wooden caskets. The wood can be highly polished and produces a beautiful finish. Maple, Pecan, Oak and Poplar are also popular choices for wood caskets. Maple is popular because of its strength. Oak is popular because of its intricate grain pattern. All of these hardwoods can be hand-carved and shaped into beautiful designs.

Softwood

Pine, Poplar, Spruce and Cedar are options for softwood caskets. Softwood is a popular choice because of its lower-cost; however, the cost may vary depending on whether or not the casket is made from locally sourced wood. Softwood is a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to hardwood caskets because it is more of a renewable resource.

Veneer

Wood laminate caskets provide the beauty of a hardwood casket without the expensive cost. Veneer caskets are becoming more popular as families look at ways to reduce funeral expenses. However, veneer can be difficult to work with and it is important to check the quality of the casket to make sure the veneer is not peeling off.

Cloth Covered

Cloth covered caskets are the least expensive wood casket because they are made of inexpensive plywood, pressboard or recycled wood material and then covered with cloth. The family will have more options for customization because they can choose the exterior and interior cloth styles.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly wood caskets are becoming increasingly popular. Eco-friendly caskets are typically made of bamboo, wicker or recycled materials. Bamboo is a popular wood choice because of its strength, beauty, and it is a highly renewable resource.

Metal caskets offer superior strength when compared to wood caskets. Metal caskets may be constructed from naturally non-rusting bronze or copper, rust-resistant stainless steel, or cathodically protected steel. They are also available in a variety of thicknesses, with 16, 18, and 20 gauge the most popular options. 16 gauge is the thickest type of metal casket available and is therefore one of the more expensive types of funeral casket available.

Bronze

Bronze caskets are selected because of their strength, durability and their natural non-rusting qualities. Bronze caskets are available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Copper

Copper caskets are selected because of their durability and their natural non-rusting qualities. Bronze caskets are strong, but not quite as durable as bronze caskets. They are also available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, an alloy of carbon steel and chromium, provides strength at an economical price. The caskets are treated so that they are resistant to corrosion. Stainless Steel caskets come in both painted and brushed finishes.

Whether you choose a metal or wood casket, you will have numerous styles to choose from. All caskets come in slightly different shapes and designs. Some of the custom options are graphics or engravings, different handles, and more. One of the most common ways to customize a casket is through the interior. You can choose different types of fabric and colors to personalize the look of the funeral casket.

The above are the most common types of metal and wood caskets. This will provide you with the basic information required to begin the process of choosing a funeral casket for your loved one. Read the other articles below to learn more about metal and wood caskets. Your local funeral home will also be able to further educate you about what casket options are available.

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Casket vs Coffin: What Are The Differences?

Casket

The terms “casket” and “coffin” are now often used interchangeably to mean any type of box that a deceased person’s body is buried in. However, there are differences between a casket vs coffin. If you were to ask a funeral home for a coffin, you might be given a casket. Inquire about a casket and a coffin might be provided. These words, although not entirely synonymous, have taken over each other’s meanings and there is often misunderstanding or confusion over their true meaning.

There are several things that distinguish a casket from a coffin. The most obvious casket vs coffin distinction is the shape. Coffins have either six or eight sides, either hexagonal or octagonal. Remember those old horror movies filled with vampires and other creatures of the night? Those are coffins depicted in those movies. Coffins are shaped that way to conform to the shape of the human body: narrow around the head, broad on the shoulders area and much narrower down to the feet. Meanwhile, caskets are rectangular and are what most people picture when they think of a casket or coffin.

Coffin

Another casket vs coffin distinction is the design. Coffins are very simple in design, they are made of wood, and often do not have handles or interiors. Even way back in time when people were only beginning to adapt the practice of burying the dead in vessels, a cross right above deceased’s head is the only adornment a coffin would have. Whereas coffins are very simple in design, caskets are full of aesthetic accessories. Caskets are typically made of softwood or hardwood, or 16, 18, or 20 gauge metal. They are beautifully designed and have engravings, imagery, gold or silver details, handles, and much more. Furthermore, caskets also have beautiful interiors often made of silk, velvet, or other high-quality fabrics.

Now, considering these casket vs coffin distinctions, then why are the two words typically used interchangeably? The term “casket” was initially used as a euphemism for “coffin” when funeral parlors started replacing mortuaries. “Coffin” somehow seemed offensive with the sense of finality and death that comes with it, while the original meaning of “casket” was a box for keeping precious belongings like jewelry. Using “casket” to mean “coffin” somehow diminished the negative connotation that comes with the burial container.

Nowadays, in North America the word casket is used so often, most people picture a casket when they hear the word coffin. However, in many other parts of the world simple wood coffin is the primary method of burial. It is possible to find coffins in North America; however, they are uncommon. The majority of funeral homes will only carry caskets that are rectangular in shape. Now that you know the differences between a casket vs coffin, you will be able to choose the perfect casket or coffin to bury your loved one.

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Green Casket Cartoon

Green Casket Cartoon

Today’s Death Cartoon: Close to Home takes the notion of green burial a step beyond!

One lady says to a visitor, “The casket is made out of sod to be 100% environmentally friendly.”

Why not just do a shroud burial?

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Wanna Buy Casket Accessories?

Wanna Buy Casket Accessories?

Ever get emails from China enticing you to buy something? Here’s a really non-enticing note I just received. I don’t make or sell caskets. Not interested in buying, but it’s something to mock! Spelling errors and typos are intact.

Dear Gail Rubin,

We get your email address from the Internet and learn that you may be interested in casket accessories.

We specilized in manufacture of casket accessories for nearly 10 years. We get a competitive price with better quality.

Our items as follows,

Casket handles
Casket corners
Jesus
Swing bars
Screws and other accessories

We can send our catalog for your reference by email. And welcome to send me your detail requirement for the model you like(As packing,quantity). Then we will quote the best price for you.

Thanks a lot and with warm regards.

Best Regards,

Jenny
Jiashan Fidelite International Trading Co., Ltd.

If this note makes you want to buy their casket accessories, let me know and I’ll send you Jenny’s contact information.

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