Choosing a casket is a very important part of the funeral arrangement process. It is important that you and your family make an informed decision, to choose a casket that meets your desires, needs, and financial requirements. At Snyder's, we offer numerous casket options, ensuring that we can meet the needs of every family that we serve.
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There are several factors to consider when purchasing a casket for your loved one. Consider the following list of items in consideration of a casket:
Metal Caskets made of Standard Steel
As you begin your search for a casket, you may be surprised to see that many are made of standard steel metal. They come in a variety of colors and styles.
Standard metal caskets are rated by how thick of material is used in the construction. They come in 20, 18, and 16 gauge. The higher the gauge is, the thinner the material, for example, a 16-gauge metal casket is more durable than an 18-gauge casket.
If you purchase a metal casket, you may have the option of buying one with a gasket or a seal. While a metal casket with a rubber gasket may slow down the amount of water that seeps inside the casket, having a casket with said rubber gasket does not preserve the body. It is worth noting that it is illegal for casket purveyors to make that claim when selling a sealable casket.
Metal Caskets made of Copper or Bronze
Copper and bronze caskets are listed in a separate category from metal caskets because there is a difference in how to determine the quality. Instead of purchasing a casket based on its gauge, one chooses a copper or bronze casket based on the weight of the material, such as 32 or 48 ounces per square foot.
Some people choose copper or bronze caskets because they do not rust as easily as metal caskets do, however, a copper or bronze casket will eventually oxidize and break down and it will not last forever.
Metal Caskets made of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel caskets are more durable than standard steel caskets, like caskets made of copper or bronze, they are also more resistant to corrosion. These caskets come in a variety of styles.
Wood Caskets
There are a variety of types of wood a casket may be constructed of. The more expensive wood caskets are made from mahogany, walnut, or cherry; medium options are oak, birch, and maple; and the lowest-price wood casket options are pine, poplar, and willow. This should be used as a general guideline, as other factors help determine the price such as the hardware finishes.
Cloth-covered Fiberboard or Pressed Wood Caskets
One of the least expensive options for a casket is made from fiberboard or pressed wood. They are covered with a durable fabric to make them an economical as well as an attractive option.
Rental Caskets
Rental caskets are available for those families that wish to have a visitation or viewing of their loved one before he or she is cremated.
The deceased is placed inside a cremation casket first that is made to sit inside a traditional casket. Once the viewing is held, the cremation casket is removed, and it and the body are cremated together. The casket is then available to be re-used by another party.
Cremation Caskets
If a deceased is going to be cremated without a viewing, it is not necessary to purchase an expensive casket. However, you will need to purchase a relatively inexpensive one that will be used during the cremation process.
Cremation caskets can be made of pressboard, heavy cardboard, or canvas. These are much more affordable than even the simplest type of casket.
Interior Material
Caskets are lined with a variety of materials including, velvet, satin, crepe, and cotton. They add a touch of comfort and elegance to the casket making for a more pleasant lasting memory. Velvet is especially popular because its soft texture creates a strong visual balance against the wood or metal structure of the casket.
For those who’ve chosen a green funeral, interior linings will typically be made from organic, unbleached cotton since it is a more natural material and disintegrates more easily than other materials.
Cap Panels
Most caskets are designed with the ability to add a decorative panel that fits inside the lid of the casket. This is an excellent way to customize a casket to honor the life of your loved one. These are available in a variety of colors and designs as well as the option to include your loved one's photo, name, date of birth, and date of passing.
Casket Hardware
There are other options available for personalizing your loved one's casket including the casket corners and the type of bar you would like on the sides.
Casket Corners- The corner is an optional part of the hardware attached to the four corners of the casket. Many, but not all, caskets have the option to replace the standard casket corners with unique pieces to honor the deceased.
Handle- This handle is the part of the casket where pallbearers hold on. It can also be called a bar or handlebar. The three types of handles are the swing bar, stationary bar, and bail handle.