We understand that buying a casket is a difficult thing to do. A funeral and a casket are things people aren’t usually prepared for. It’s perfectly normal if you’re not aware of how to buy a casket. The unfortunate event of losing a loved one or a family member comes suddenly. Since people don’t have time, burial caskets mostly need to be bought quickly.
Buying a burial casket and the funeral costs that follow can be pretty expensive. Even the average price of caskets is quite expensive, with a standard casket costing somewhere over $2500 at funeral homes. Casket prices range from cheap to expensive, so buying an expensive one can trouble you financially.
Most people don’t have the time to choose from several options, so it’s essential to be prepared. That’s why we’re here to explain how to buy burial caskets and what to remember while buying them. This guide will help you buy the right casket that is within your budget.
Difference between a Casket and a Coffin
Firstly, it’s essential to know what you’re looking at.
Caskets and coffins are used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Coffins have six sides, while caskets have four. Another way you can distinguish a coffin from a casket is the lid. In caskets, the lid is hinged, so you can’t remove it. While funeral coffins, on the other hand, have lids that are detachable so you can remove the top from the container.
What are the Types of Caskets you can choose from?
Although casket styles are essential, the most important thing to check while buying is what materials have been used. However, if you want to buy one for cremation purposes, you can only use a wooden casket.
Also, do remember that the materials determine the price of the casket. In the market, the price of metal caskets will be more than what wooden caskets cost.
About Wood Funeral Caskets
Funeral caskets are made from wood or metals, depending on what customers want to purchase. Wood is most commonly used since it’s cheaper and has more color options. You can also choose from various types of woods. Wood caskets are usually made from regular wood, pressed wood, solid wood, or wood veneer. Mahogany oak, pine, walnut, and cherry wood are also commonly used.
The price of burial caskets made of wood depends on the particular type of wood used. The cheapest options for wooden ones available in the market start from about $1000. However, we must ensure every person can afford a proper burial. That’s why our price range starts even lower than that.
Price plays a huge role in anything a customer buys.
Casket For Burial
If you want your loved one to be buried, a casket made of wood is a good option. They look good, and you’ll stay within your budget too.
Burial caskets need to look impressive—the higher the price, the more design and better finishing on the casket. So if you’re comfortable with the price, you can always go for high-quality caskets.
Casket For Cremation
It’s possible the deceased asked not to be buried but cremated instead. In this case, you can purchase a cremation casket too. Cremation caskets must be utterly combustible, so they cannot have any metal parts. So, a completely wooden casket is your only option.
About Metal Funeral Caskets
Although the price is significantly lesser, using different types of wood as materials for caskets has its disadvantages. Wood only lasts for a few days after the burial. Moreover, the cutting down of trees also damages the environment.
The critical difference between metal and wood is that it is more durable. So, caskets made of metal are better suited for burial purposes, in terms of how long they last.
If you want a more durable casket, we suggest you go for one made of metal. These caskets are made from various metals such as steel, bronze, and copper. The prices are higher, but so is the quality.
If you’re going to have a casket made, we suggest you use a thick metal. The thickness of the materials makes it easier to get the desired shape. Although they come in different gauges, a suitable casket should be around 20 gauge thick. If you’re looking for one within your capacity, a 20 gauge casket is the ideal choice. It would help if you remembered that a lower gauge means thicker metal.
Although they sometimes come at a higher price, metal caskets have certain advantages over wooden ones. For starters, copper caskets are more resistant to corrosion and rust. On the other hand, steel caskets of 20 gauge provide quality at an affordable price. However, if you’re willing to look for the best quality regardless of the price, go for a bronze casket.
On average, a bronze casket will cost you around $3500.
In the end, though, price is what matters, so going for a casket made of stainless steel might be a good option. They don’t cost as much as bronze caskets but are still very durable and resistant.
Casket For Burial
If you want the body of your loved one to last a long time after the burial, a metal casket is the best option. On average, the body will last almost fifteen years before it turns into a skeleton. The price of metal caskets may be higher, but you’ll get quality. The higher the price, the better the quality.
For Cremation
Cremation is the process of burning the body of the caskets. Since a metal casket is not combustible, you can’t use it for cremation.
Full Couch Casket
Caskets come in different styles as well. The primary purpose is for the body to be visible during the funeral. You’ll want to have a last look at the person before burial. So you can either go for a full couch casket or a half-couch casket. The difference between these two is that a full-couch casket can be opened fully.
People at the funeral can see the entire body of their loved ones.
The price of a full-couch casket ranges from about $1450 to $3500 if you’re looking for a cheap one.
On the other hand, you can see the body’s upper portion in half-couch caskets, or you still can open two parts of the casket lid for viewing. The price of half-couch caskets is relatively lower, ranging from $1200 to $2500.
Burial vaults
Decomposition of the casket and the earth’s pressure can cause soil settlement. A Burial vault is a good option if you want to prevent this. Some cemeteries might require you to use a vault.
Where to Buy a Casket From?
The most convenient place to buy a casket is from a funeral home. It might cost you some money, but many people still do that, even if the price is much higher. Funeral homes will show you the options since you might not have and will and energy to look around.
Remember that most funeral homes will first show you the most expensive caskets. Although they help the customers in every way possible, it’s a business, and they’re there to make a profit. The sellers at funeral homes are trained salesmen. They know your situation, so they always show the high-price caskets.
So when you’re at a funeral home, don’t be alarmed at a price. The ones on display are the expensive ones. It’s a textbook business strategy to show you high-price products first. If you feel that the price is too high, there’s an option.
If they haven’t already shown you, you can ask the funeral home to show you the casket price list.
However, planning the funeral gives you more time to find a casket in a suitable price range. In this case, you can go to a third-party seller, like an independent casket shop. Or, you can even buy burial caskets online. Many have shared that buying a casket online helps them with grief.
Apart from price, however, going to a funeral home has its advantages. They provide the services you’ll need. The funeral director will manage all aspects of the funeral. The funeral director will do it all, from preparing the body to leading the funeral service. Although they come at a high price, such funeral services are why many people prefer going to funeral homes.
Do funeral homes accept caskets bought from somewhere else?
If you have this question in mind, then don’t worry. You can buy the casket from anywhere you want. A funeral home cannot turn you away because you bought the burial casket from a third-party seller. Similarly, just because you hire them for the funeral service doesn’t mean you have to buy the casket from them.
What you should know about the Funeral Rule
As a customer, you have certain rights which sellers cannot violate. The Federal Trade Commission protects these rights through The Funeral Rule.
The Funeral Rule was enacted on April 30, 1984, by the Federal Trade Commission for the customer’s convenience. Under this rule, you have the right to pay only for what you have purchased. You can also compare the prices of different funeral homes so that you can go for the best deal. The rule gives all the power to the client, so you can select any arrangement you want. The provider cannot protest, and they cannot charge you a delivery fee to ship the casket either.