When someone loses a loved one, it is an incredibly difficult time. One of the many decisions that need to be made is what to do with the body. Another decision is to choose a casket. It’s important to choose the right casket because it will be the final resting place for the deceased. Here are some points to consider when making this decision: price, style, material, size, availability, transportation costs, right lid, liner, etc.
Things You Should Consider When Choosing A Casket:
1. Price Of The Casket
The cost of a casket can vary greatly depending on the type of casket, the materials it’s made from, and any special features that are included. Caskets come in different price ranges depending on the material used to make them. They can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Many funeral homes offer pre-arranged funeral plans that offer one or more types of caskets, burial vaults, outer burial containers, headstones, and memorial markers at set prices. These plans allow families to work with funeral homes before their loved one dies so they know where they will be getting their services when the time comes. It’s important to get an estimate of how much the casket will cost before making a final decision.
2. Style Of The Casket
There are a variety of different styles of caskets from Titan Casket to choose from, each with its own unique look. Some popular styles include traditional, classic, contemporary, simple, and rustic.
- Traditional caskets have a more classic look with ornamentation such as carvings or embossing and are often made from wood.
- Classic caskets are similar to traditional caskets but typically have a less ornate design.
- Contemporary caskets have a sleek, modern look and are often made from metal or plastic.
- Simple caskets lack any ornamentation and are often made from wood or metal.
- Rustic caskets have a more natural look and are often made from unfinished wood.
3. Material Of The Casket
Caskets are available in a variety of materials, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
- Wooden caskets can be made from a variety of different types of wood, each with its own color and grain pattern that can give the casket a unique look. Wooden caskets are also biodegradable, meaning they will decompose over time as opposed to other materials like metal or plastic.
- Metal caskets come in many different finishes and styles and are often less expensive than other types of caskets. However, they are not biodegradable and can be heavy.
- Plastic caskets are the least expensive type and are often made from recycled materials. They are lightweight and waterproof, but they also do not biodegrade.
- Vault – A vault is another type of outer burial container that is typically required if someone chooses to bury the body above ground on private property where standard burial plots are not allowed. Vaults help prevent the ground from sinking, which can cause it to settle and create an uneven surface. Vaults typically consist of a frame with many boards that are covered in concrete or asphalt.
- Cremation Container – Some people choose cremation over a traditional burial and have their loved one’s remains placed in a cremation container rather than a casket before they are buried or entombed.
4. Consider The Size Of The Casket
Caskets come in a variety of different sizes, so it’s important to choose the right one for your loved one. Standard casket dimensions are 6 feet long, 18 to 24 inches wide, and 23 to 27 inches deep. Oversized caskets are available for those who weigh more than 350 pounds or who are taller than 6 feet 6 inches. There is also a casket designed specifically for those who will be cremated. The cremation casket is slightly narrower and shorter than traditional caskets to accommodate the cremation chamber.
5. Availability Of The Casket
A number of different types of stores sell caskets, including traditional funeral homes, online casket retailers such as Amazon, and direct sales through certain manufacturers or through their own websites.
Funeral homes typically offer the widest selection and often provide other services such as embalming and transportation to the crematorium for those who choose cremation. Direct sales companies usually only sell one brand and do not provide as many services as traditional funeral homes will, but they can offer lower prices than home funerals or use pre-need arrangements because they don’t have as many overhead costs.
6. Keep In Mind Transportation Costs
Caskets typically must be transported by professionals when being transferred between places including funeral homes, churches, or other areas. Traditional caskets come with handles on each side so they can be carried by two individuals. If a traditional casket is too heavy to carry by hand, it will usually come with a strap that can be used to carry it. Cremation caskets typically come without handles so they can be loaded into the back of a hearse or cargo area of an SUV, van, or wagon.
7. Pick The Right Lid
The type of lid on the casket can also be important to consider. There are four types of lids available: a standard lid, a half-couch lid, a full-couch lid, and a specialty lid.
- A standard lid is just that – a standard lid that covers the entire top of the casket.
- A half-couch lid has an opening in the front that allows someone to sit up partially or fully during the viewing process.
- A full-couch lid completely opens up, giving those who are viewing the casket more space to sit close to it.
- Specialty lids are available for those who need them such as babies, children, teens, and pet owners. Specialty lids may feature an embroidered picture on the front where others can “view” your loved one inside or they may be made entirely from glass so that everyone can see what’s inside the casket.
8. Decide If You Want A Liner
Caskets often come with a liner that serves as a base and is designed to be used with the casket. Liners help keep the casket waterproof and secure. They can also provide comfort and support for both those who view it and those inside of it. Some liners will have pockets where people can place heartfelt letters, favorite photos, or mementos of their loved ones.
When it comes to choosing a casket for your loved one, the above points will guide you correctly.
