A casket is a wooden or metal box where the body of a deceased person is placed before laying them to rest.
Caskets can also be called coffins, and a person who makes a casket is called a coffin maker. Many funeral homes sell caskets and they provide an important service to families who are unsure of whether to opt for a coffin or casket.
If you are planning on laying your loved one to rest and want to know about the different types of caskets, this article will provide a basic idea of what to get based on your intention.
The History of Caskets
A funeral casket serves a specific purpose, to bury a deceased person. One may be wrong about the actual origin of caskets, but the history of caskets and coffins dates back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. In those days, people used clothes, wood, and paper to build sarcophagus-style caskets.
The Celts in Europe started crafting caskets from flat stones in 700 BC. But for many years, people used caskets to bury only aristocrats and other members of the nobility.
Traditional burial in ancient times often does not use a casket or burial vault.
Thankfully the world has witnessed many transformations. People can now bury a deceased person with a casket, unlike before when it was only available for the upper classes.
Caskets for Funeral Services
Caskets for funeral services come in various sizes, and there are ones for children and adults of any age. If you find making the correct decision challenging please contact us for tailored advice for your situation.
You can ask the funeral director if you want to enlighten yourself regarding caskets and the services they offer.
Casket Designs
The typical British coffin features a single cover different from other coffins and caskets and is held tight with screws. It is conventionally designed, with broad shoulders and narrow towards the feet, unlike caskets with a rectangular shape.
Open coffins are gaining popularity in the UK, with more becoming familiar with them and their perceived higher quality and status. Seeing rectangular American caskets with sliding lids is becoming more common.
Traditionally coffin makers made use of elm or oak with fittings of brass to make caskets, but for cremations, they use pine with plastic fittings with brass colour.
Caskets are made with higher quality materials compared to coffins. You can buy caskets made from metal or wood depending on your preferences, and they often feature ornate patterns and designs.
Coffin Furniture
The word “coffin furniture,” also known as “coffin fittings,” refers to the metal embellishments attached to coffins and caskets. This includes breastplates (where they write the dates and names of the deceased), handles, and any additional components like screws, corner clips, lid motifs, and nails.
Viewing Caskets in a Funeral Home
A funeral home, is a place of business that offers funeral and burial services to the deceased and their family. These services could consist of a planned vigil and funeral as well as providing a chapel where the burial will take place.
A funeral home organises services based on the preferences of relatives and friends of the deceased who are still alive, whether they are the deceased person’s direct family or an heir whose name appears in a will.
Funeral directors manage funeral homes and oversee their general operations. Funeral homes frequently handle the required paperwork, licences, and other logistics, including coordinating with the gravesite.
Conclusion
Opting for a funeral casket is not a decision you can make lightly as there are various types of caskets available. If you are looking to buy a funeral casket then you can do so through our online shop however we encourage you to call us first and speak to one of our advisors. We will guide you to the best option and help you pick something which is more appropriate to your loved one.