A casket purchase can be a stressful endeavor. Although families frequently know where they wish their loved one to be buried or interred, casket preferences are occasionally forgotten. However, doing research on caskets before purchasing one can greatly simplify the process. With some information, you can choose a casket that will meet your demands within the budget. To aid you in this process, this article outlines the different types of caskets available. 

Caskets Vs. Coffins: The Difference

Although the terms “coffin” and “casket” can be used interchangeably, “casket” is typically used more frequently in the United States. The word “coffin” is more frequently used to refer to a wooden box with six or eight sides. The term “casket” refers to a rectangular box with four sides and a split cover for viewing. Since a casket lacks the negative connotation attached to coffins, most people prefer to go for caskets for their loved ones. 

Types Of Caskets:

The money you spend on a casket depends on the type you select. Depending on your design preferences and the type of material you choose, the cost of a casket can rise substantially. There are different types of caskets available:

Standard Caskets:

The two most popular options for caskets are wood and metal. There are two types of wood caskets: hardwood and composite wood, covered with a veneer. 

Metal caskets are generally made of carbon steel, stainless steel, or other precious metals. When it comes to caskets, precious metals are typically the most expensive option. The price of metal caskets is influenced by both the type of metal used and the thickness of the coffin. Additionally, special color preferences, such as gold caskets or red caskets, can add to the total cost. Therefore, you should look out for red or gold caskets for sale.

Green Caskets:

Green caskets, usually referred to as eco-friendly or biodegradable, are designed to decompose with the body once it has been buried. Eco-friendly caskets are composed primarily of natural materials such as recycled cardboard, willow, bamboo, and fiber and don’t harm the environment. 

Before buying a biodegradable casket, it’s a good idea to check with your selected cemetery and funeral home because green caskets are typically utilized in green cemeteries. Eco-friendly caskets are among the least expensive solutions available and start at roughly $450.

Cremation Caskets:

A casket used during the cremation process is known as a cremation casket. To facilitate the cremation process, cremation caskets frequently have no metal at all. Most crematories provide cremation containers typically built out of cardboard, starting at $50, while a cremation casket will typically cost around $1,000.

Fiberglass Caskets:

Fiberglass caskets are an additional option. Usually, it is used to bury babies and young children. This material is also quite resilient and is available in a variety of treatments, including faux marble and faux wood.

Oversized Caskets:

You must look for an “oversized” casket for a loved one with a larger form. The typical width for oversized caskets is 31, however there are other widths available to suit your requirements. 

Jewish Caskets:

Jewish culture requires burial containers to be plain and organic-looking, devoid of any metal. Simple pine coffins are created specifically to adhere to their religious standards. There are no elaborate fixtures or decorative knobs on the wooden casket. The handles are typically taken off before burial so that the departed might be interred in the most modest box conceivable.

Final Thoughts:

Factors such as the materials used, the type of casket, the design and the place from which you’re purchasing affect the average casket price. Typically, a casket will cost more than $2,000. Additionally, funeral homes mark up their caskets by 300%. If you want to save money, buying caskets online could be a more economical decision.