InfoSub - Caskets

Although Webster's Dictionary gives other definitions for the word "casket," for our purpose, the word casket will mean the container that a decedent's body is placed in during the time designated for the viewing (visiting - visitation - calling hours - wake) and during the formal funeral ceremony.

In the case of burial, the body will be buried in that same casket, usually inside a hard outer burial enclosure (concrete vault or box). In the case of cremation, if the casket has been rented, the decedent's body will be removed from the casket and taken to the crematory in an "alternative container," usually a light weight and combustible, made of composition board or heavy corrugated cardboard. (Once the usual proceedure, today a casket is usually not purchased for cremation and only occasionally is the body cremated in the casket that is used at the funeral home.)

Today caskets are made of metal, wood boards or planks, composition board and occasionally of more exotic materials such as fiberglass or plastic, compressed paper and even natural marble. Some wood caskets are veneered, i.e., structurally constructed of a common wood or composition board with a thin veneer of named-specie wood glued on the outside...or covered with a cloth, either embossed or broadcloth. Metal casket are usually painted but may be brushed or both painted and brushed. Some metal caskets are covered with a vinyl that can carry a variety of motifs.

The construction style of today's casket is most commonly "half open" as opposed to being "full open." Half open caskets are either "panel only," perfection cut" or true "half couch" with perfection cut being the most common style. A full open casket might be a "lying in state" type casket wherein the entire lid is removed or a "non-state" style wherein the lid hinges and is locked in a near-vertical position when the casket is open.

Some non-western caskets are eight sided (6 sides plus top and bottom) and are sometimes known as "shapers." These caskets are narrower at the head and foot end and wider in the middle. Many non-north-american cultures use other specialized caskets.

Metal caskets are usually made of sheet steel and steel caskets are made from several thicknesses. The thinest sheet steel used for caskets is 20 gauge with some manufacturers using 19 ga., 18 ga., and 16 gauge (the thickest)

Other metals used for caskets include stainless steel, copper, sheet bronze and even cast bronze (the most expensive).

Most metal caskets are constructed with a gasket at the openings so that they can be "sealed" upon closing. The most common interior materials are the same as for other types of caskets and include velvet and crepe and occasionally rayon or tapestry-like weaves.

The "bed" is usually spring supported from a metal frame that can be easily raised and lowered and somes tilted.

Many metal caskets are coated inside and protected from electrolysis (underground) by passive electrodes.

The handles on metal caskets are usually stationary and most metal caskets are "lockable" from the outside.

Wood caskets may be made of any specie of wood, the most commonly used being Poplar which can easily be stained and finished to resemble other more desirable species.

Other common species used include Oak, Maple, Birch, Cherry, Mahogany and Walnut, that order being in relative order of expense. Other less common species may include Elm, Chestnut, Pecan and others. Although each specie of wood has a traditional appearance, different stains may be applied to the raw wood that will change the finished appearance and fool even a knowledgable wood craftsman. The grain of the wood can not, of course, be changed and is the best way to differentiate the specie of wood.

Just as for household furniture, caskets are completed with a variety of finishes, e.g., polished, satin, dull, natural, even oiled and totally unfinished.

Although most "named specie" caskets are made of solid wood, certain lower cost caskets may be veneered and many caskets are made with bottoms of off-specie or mixed-specie boards or wood pieces.

Most wood caskets are not constructed with a gasket and can not be "sealed" upon closing. The most common interior materials are the same as for other types of caskets and include velvet and crepe and occasionally rayon or tapestry-like weaves.

The "bed" is often spring supported from a metal frame although some caskets have a mattress.

Most wood caskets have handles that are not stationary, i.e., they swivel or hinge away from the casket when it is carried. On the more expensive caskets, the bar of the handle is the same specie as the casket itself or is made of metal on lower cost caskets.

Although "Casket Stores" exist today, the most common provider of caskets is the funeral home which usually keeps and displays a variety of caskets that can be purchased in advance AND at the time of need.

Each funeral director chooses which caskets he will display and sell and most commonly can reorder a casket, often on an hourly basis directly from the manufacturer or jobber as well as order special caskets or caskets with a different finishes or interior colors and design from the one he displays in his selection room. Most funeral directors deal with two or three different manufacturers and can obtain a variety of caskets on short or special notice.

Regardless of whether one is available at the funeral home, most funeral directors can specially order today, any type casket that is made, for use tomorrow!

We display twelve caskets at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home and can arrange for the delivery of hundreds of others...maybe even thousands of others. It is our intention to post here pictures of some of the caskets that we display for sale. Until those digital photographs are available, the following textual descriptions will have to suffice. Once those photos are available, click the blue underlined links (below) to see those caskets.

CASKETS	Price
Reliable Miller REGENCY Solid Mahogany with a polished walnut finish and interior of Rosetan Velvet	$ 6,500.00
Reliable Miller "H-11" Solid Copper with a brushed copper finish and interior of Arbutus Velvet.	6,200.00
Reliable Miller GATEWOOD Solid Cherry with a polished red American finish and interior of Beige Velvet.	4,500.00
Reliable Miller SILVER ONYX Stainless Steel with a Black on Silver finish and interior of Rosetan Crepe.	3,900.00
Reliable Miller MALORIE Solid Maple with a polished simulated walnut finish and Silver Taupe Crepe interior.	3,500.00
Reliable Miller SOVEREIGN Solid American Pecan with a natural polished finish and interior of Silver Beige Velvet.	3,500.00
Reliable Miller -YORK HALLMARK Solid Poplar with a polished simulated walnut finish and interior of Rosetan Crepe.	3,300.00
Reliable Miller CELTIC Solid White Oak with a natural light oak finish and interior of Rosetan Crepe.	3,300.00
Reliable Miller THE PIETA 18 Gauge Steel with a brushed bronze finish and interior of Arbutus Velvet.	3,200.00
Reliable Miller - YORK CAMEO (125) of Solid Poplar with a polished simulated mahogany finish and interior of Pink Velvet.	3,200.00
Reliable Miller ALMOND ROSE 18 Gauge Steel with a painted almond on bronze finish and interior of Rosetan Crepe.	2,700.00
Reliable Miller RIDGEFIELD 18 Gauge Steel with a brushed bronze finish and interior of Rosetan Crepe.	2,500.00
Reliable Miller STERLING 18 Gauge Steel with a brushed blue finish and interior of Rosetan Crepe.	2,500.00
Reliable Miller GOING HOME 18 Gauge Steel with a painted gold finish and ioterior of Rosetan Crepe.	2,500.00
Reliable Miller - YORK WHITMIRE (3255) Solid Poplar with a satin simulated walnut finish and interior of Blue Crepe.	2,400.00
Reliable Miller - YORK ASHFORD Solid Poplar with an amber gloss finish and ioterior of Rosetan Crepe.	1,900.00
Reliable Miller PETERS 20 Gauge Steel with a satin painted silver finish and interior of Eggshell Crepe.	1,700.00
ALTERNATIVE CONTAINERS
Reliable Miller FIERO with a BLUE CLOTH covering and interior of White Crepe.	850.00
Reliable Miller HIGHLANDS OAK veneer over pressed board with a Rosetan Crepe interior.	1,400.00
Reliable Miller QUIET COVE Solid Pine with a natural satin finish.	1,500.00
Reliable Miller THE EVEN TIDE Solid Poplar with a gloss light simulated walnut finish and interior of Rosetan Crepe.	1,900.00
Reliable Miller SHORE HAVEN Solid Ash with a deep simulated walnut finish and interior of White Crepe.	2,500.00
Reliable Miller SUMMER ROSE Solid Ash with a carnation blush finish and interior of Pink Crepe.	2,700.00
Reliable Miller SEAVIEW Solid Maple with a simulated walnut finish and interior of Rosetan Crepe.	3,000.00
Security FS CREMATION CONTAINER of corrugated cardboard and wood. No interior.	75.00

Is a "sealed casket" better than a non-sealed casket? We think that it is fair to say that they are of equal value. If you want protection from the elements after burial, you would probably be better served to purchase a sealed burial vault.

New Jersey statutes state that when funeral merchandise (including a casket) is paid for in advance at a funeral home, the funeral director must place 100% of the purchase price for that casket in trust, AND allow the interest earned on that trust account to accumulate in that account, i.e., he can't put that money in his pocket and spend it. That's a pretty good way to guarantee that either the casket or the money used to purchase it is available at the time it's actually needed.

Although we funeral directors think they should have to, casket stores don't do that...nobody makes them. When they sell a casket, the money is theirs to use as they see fit. and if ,when you need that casket, you can't find them, your money is probably gone too. You may, of course, take immediate possession of the casket you purchase (if you have a place to store it). Be careful and know who you are dealing with!