Funeral 411TM
the information you want and need
Caskets
Almost all caskets are made from wood or metal. (On our "Going Green" page, we show a picture of a casket made from bamboo.)
Wooden caskets are usually made from mahogany, walnut, cherry, oak, pecan, ash, pine, or poplar. Some are made from hardwoods and are usually labeled as such. Some caskets are made from a solid wood; this will be reflected in the casket description. Some state laws require that every casket have a paper or card displayed in it that tells its content, type of fabric lining, and the cost. Some caskets described as a specific wood, may be made from a hardwood and only have the veneer of the specified wood. Be sure to ask if it's solid or veneer, if that's important to you. For example, a solid cherry casket will differ from a cherry casket that is made from a hardwood and has a cherry veneer. The solid cherry casket will, of course cost more. The cost of the casket also depends on the species of the wood, just as furniture made from maple will usually cost more than pine.
Metal caskets are usually made from steel, copper or bronze. Steel caskets are made from gauges of steel or stainless steel. In the gauges of steel, the number represents the thickness. Sixteen-gauge steel is 1/16th of an inch thick, making it thicker than 18- or 20-gauge steel. Copper and bronze caskets are gauged according to their weight per square foot - a casket described as being made 48oz. bronze will be heavier than one of 32oz. bronze.
Interiors in caskets are commonly made from crepe, linen, satin, or velvet and are color-coordinated to match the outside color.
Some caskets can be personalized. They may have interchangeable corners that feature a theme such as gardening, golf, or religious connotations. Another option is a choice of a custom panel in the casket lid when it's open. These are available in a variety of embroidered themes or can be custom made with a phrase, logo, insignia, or picture. These may have an additional cost and take an extra day or so for shipping to the funeral home.
Wooden caskets are usually made from mahogany, walnut, cherry, oak, pecan, ash, pine, or poplar. Some are made from hardwoods and are usually labeled as such. Some caskets are made from a solid wood; this will be reflected in the casket description. Some state laws require that every casket have a paper or card displayed in it that tells its content, type of fabric lining, and the cost. Some caskets described as a specific wood, may be made from a hardwood and only have the veneer of the specified wood. Be sure to ask if it's solid or veneer, if that's important to you. For example, a solid cherry casket will differ from a cherry casket that is made from a hardwood and has a cherry veneer. The solid cherry casket will, of course cost more. The cost of the casket also depends on the species of the wood, just as furniture made from maple will usually cost more than pine.
Metal caskets are usually made from steel, copper or bronze. Steel caskets are made from gauges of steel or stainless steel. In the gauges of steel, the number represents the thickness. Sixteen-gauge steel is 1/16th of an inch thick, making it thicker than 18- or 20-gauge steel. Copper and bronze caskets are gauged according to their weight per square foot - a casket described as being made 48oz. bronze will be heavier than one of 32oz. bronze.
Interiors in caskets are commonly made from crepe, linen, satin, or velvet and are color-coordinated to match the outside color.
Some caskets can be personalized. They may have interchangeable corners that feature a theme such as gardening, golf, or religious connotations. Another option is a choice of a custom panel in the casket lid when it's open. These are available in a variety of embroidered themes or can be custom made with a phrase, logo, insignia, or picture. These may have an additional cost and take an extra day or so for shipping to the funeral home.
Orthodox caskets differ from other caskets in that they are always made from wood. There are no metal handles, or metals parts used in its construction. Many have the Star of David on the top of the casket. While simple in design, they can be made from not only pine, but also fine hardwoods such as oak, maple, walnut, cherry or mahogany. The inside is usually lined with natural fabrics like linen, or muslin. Some are available unfinished.
Less common caskets
There used to be a few fiberglass caskets around but it's rare to see one today.
There's a new line of caskets out now made of thermomolded plastic. They're not commonplace yet, but who knows.
There also used to be a line of caskets that had a printed scene covering the casket, much like you see some vehicles with an advertising theme covering it. This is another line that does not seem as popular as it once was.
Another new line features military caskets. As opposed to the casket that is typically used for a soldier or veteran, this one has an interior that reflects the formal uniform of the chosen branch of the service. See our Our personal favorites page for a picture.
There used to be a few fiberglass caskets around but it's rare to see one today.
There's a new line of caskets out now made of thermomolded plastic. They're not commonplace yet, but who knows.
There also used to be a line of caskets that had a printed scene covering the casket, much like you see some vehicles with an advertising theme covering it. This is another line that does not seem as popular as it once was.
Another new line features military caskets. As opposed to the casket that is typically used for a soldier or veteran, this one has an interior that reflects the formal uniform of the chosen branch of the service. See our Our personal favorites page for a picture.
