Select the casket/vault or urn
If you are tasked with choosing a casket or urn, as well as the vault or grave liner to protect them, you will have numerous decisions to make before the funeral.
If you determine the deceased’s body is to be buried, a casket will need to be purchased. It likely will be the most costly expense of a funeral, with prices ranging from about $1,000 to as much as $30,000.
Casket Materials
Most casket encasements are built using either wood or metal, and made to be tightly sealed to protect the deceased from outside elements. There also are “green” caskets, which are constructed of highly biodegradable materials such as bamboo or rattan.
Wood Caskets
If you choose a wood casket, your choices will include ones made from woods such as pine, mahogany, walnut, cherry, maple, pecan, oak, and poplar. Hardwood caskets, such as those made from walnut and oak, are the most expensive. Caskets made from wood laminates are also available, and traditionally less expensive. Wood laminates – often referred to as veneers – are created by covering plywood with strips of hardwood. The hardwood is laminated or glued to the plywood to provide a look similar to solid hardwood, without the expense. The least expensive wood caskets are made of plywood or pressboard and usually covered in fabric, which is available in a variety of colors.
Metal Caskets
If a metal casket is desired, you will have options as well. Metal caskets are usually constructed from steel, bronze, or copper. Steel caskets are made of regular carbon steel of 20 gauge, 18 gauge, or 16 gauge thickness. Stainless steel can be 18/8 stainless or 340 stainless. Bronze and copper are priced by weight, which can be either 32 or 48 ounces. Metal caskets are often required when a person is placed in a mausoleum, so keep that in mind.
“Green” Caskets
If you determine the deceased would prefer what is considered a more environmentally-conscience casket, “green” caskets are available. These are made of natural organic materials, with the goal being that the casket and body of the deceased will naturally decompose together. These are made from materials like banana leaf, organic cloth, sea grass, rattan, and bamboo.
Fiberglass Caskets
Finally, lightweight fiberglass caskets are available. These are often used for infants, and despite being lightweight, they are strong and durable.
Casket Design
Just like furniture, you will find that caskets come in many designs. There is everything from ornate, hand-carved designs to more modern, streamlined versions. Colors vary, as well. Other options today include caskets with special designs on the corners that can highlight the deceased’s religion or interests, including sports and hobbies. Some caskets offer what is known as a memory drawer, where letters, photos, and other memorabilia can be placed. Caskets that have a capsule on the side in which mourners can place notes also are available.
Casket Size
When selecting a casket you also might want to consider size. Caskets are typically about 84 inches long and 28 inches wide. However, smaller sizes exist for infants and children. These are often preferred because when a baby or children is lost, the sight of them in a full-size casket can be even more upsetting to their loved ones. Also troubling can be seeing a larger adult squeezed into a casket. Nowadays, due to the growing size of much of the population, some casket makers are building caskets that are 52 inches wide, or larger.
Considerations with Urns
If the deceased is cremated, you also will have a vast selection of urns from which to choose. Urns for ashes come in many materials, including metal, marble, wood, ceramic, copper, bronze, brass, glass, and porcelain. They can be easily biodegradable or made to withstand the elements for years. Urns can include name plates or special engraving of symbols that represent the deceased’s interests in life. One thing to consider when selecting an urn is size. Most cremated remains vary in volume and can weigh between three and seven pounds depending on the deceased’s weight prior to cremation. You also will want to consider if the urn only will be used temporarily to store ashes before they are spread in a special place, or if someone is going to be displaying it in their home, as these can affect design choices and durability needs. Urns can cost as little as $50 to thousands of dollars, depending on material and design.
Grave Liners and Vaults
Once you have decided on a casket or urn, next you should consider the vault or grave liner in which it will be placed during burial. In many cases, cemeteries do not require that an urn be placed in a vault prior to burial. But in cases when a casket is placed in the ground, a vault or liner is almost always required by the cemetery.
Vaults or grave liners are placed in the ground and then the casket is lowered in. The purpose of the vault and liner is to prevent the heavy ground from caving in around a casket as it decomposes. Most cemetery officials require the vault or liner in order to keep the grounds looking level and nice and to keep lawn maintenance costs as low as possible.
A vault is typically a box with a lid that will completely surround and offer protection to the casket or urn. Vaults can be plain or decorative. In most cases, vaults are made of concrete but also can be made of steel or plastic. Vaults also can be purchased with additional protective layers, which are made from everything from ABS plastic and stainless steel to bronze and copper. Protective layers are available for both the interior and exterior of a vault.
Grave liners are typically unadorned concrete and usually only fully cover the sides and top of the casket. Because of this, they are often the less expensive option of the two. It is important to understand that a vault or grave liner will not prevent water, dirt, and other debris from reaching a casket or urn. Nor will they prevent the eventual decomposition of the casket and body.
Vaults and grave liners for caskets vary widely in cost, typically from $1,000 to many thousands. Keep in mind, oversized caskets will require larger vaults or grave liners in many cases. Because urns are smaller in size, placing one in a vault can be done for less cost.
