Unbeknownst to most, caskets come in various shapes and sizes. In ritual, a casket serves as the last memorabilia of the deceased one. Hence, it’s important to understand and acknowledge the main differences there are between certain types.
In this segment, we’ll go over the four main casket types that you’ll find at a funeral home. At the end of it, you’ll be more knowledgeable about the matter and will be better equipped to pick out a casket, in the event that you have to do so.
Generally speaking, caskets can be broadly divided into two types: wooden and metal. With each type mentioned below, we’ll highlight their benefits and various features that come along with them.
Wooden caskets
If you’re interested in wood caskets, then there are a few things to remember. The first rule of thumb is that wooden caskets come in a plethora of shapes and sizes. For that reason, their price also varies a lot. Starting from a thousand dollars, wood caskets can easily go up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Wooden caskets can be made from a wide variety of raw material. These include but aren’t limited to mahogany, walnut, cherry, maple, oak, pecan, poplar and pine. As for their pricing, it is entirely dependent on the type of wood used. In some cases, the prices are awfully similar to furniture that is sold of the same material. Out of the bunch, mahogany, walnut, and cherry are the expensive ones. Pine, poplar, and willow are the cheapest, and oak, mirth, and maple are mid-tier and available at a decent rate.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, due to financial or whatever reasons, you can opt for wood veneer.
Metal caskets
Metal caskets are reputed to be more durable and sturdy in appearance. In most cases, a rubber gasket it utilized to keep outside elements and dust from entering or settling on the interior. However, the gasket isn’t responsible for slowing down the decomposition process. If you’re looking to save costs, then you can opt for a model without a rubber gasket.
Bronze and copper caskets
If you’re looking for something durable, long-lasting, and least resistance to open-air damage, then bronze and copper caskets are those that should be considered. However, it’s important to realize that these caskets are quite expensive as well.
The raw material of these caskets will oxidize over time but won’t really damage the integrity of the casket. Furthermore, it should also be noted that these models are measured by weights per square foot. Hence, it’s best to not go for simple ounce replicas or else you might end up paying more than you would have anticipated.
Stainless and Carbon Steel
In metal caskets, Stainless steel and carbon steel are a cheaper and more affordable option for some people. These caskets do not require much maintenance.
Carbon steel caskets come in different gauges of thickness. However, it’s important to note that the smaller number in these measurements means a thicker, more robust, and heavier casket.
Conclusion
We hope that this platform has given you ample information about different types of caskets available on the market. Using this information, you can now choose to find the right casket for your loved ones. Remember, a casket serves as the last thing that people often remember the deceased by.
Hence, it’s of utmost importance that you chose the right casket. If possible, try to get something that appropriately reflects the deceased personality so that everyone can feel his/her presence one last time for the final farewell.
