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Caskets
It’s a fact that very few people know much about caskets at all. It isn’t a pleasant fact to think about and it is something that usually is only brought up when absolutely necessary.
But is important to think about for yourself, perhaps even to look into what is called “pre-need” costs, where you plan out your own funeral and pay for it all so your family members aren’t faced with wondering what you wanted after you’re gone.
If you find yourself now wanting to know more about caskets, you have come to the right place. Listed below are some facts about caskets you may find helpful as you go through the casket selection process.
• You do not have to buy from a funeral home - Although many funeral homes will encourage you to buy a casket from the selection they currently have, you do not need to purchase the casket from them. The fact of the matter is that the Federal Trade Commission has regulated that a funeral home cannot force someone to buy a casket from them and that they must accept delivery of a casket to their funeral home if the family of the deceased decides to order a casket from somewhere else.
• There are differences between the 18-gauge and the 20-gauge casket - You may have guessed that there are slight differences from one casket to the next, even though many are very similar. One of the questions that sometimes comes up is what the difference is between an 18-gauge casket and a 20-gauge casket. In a nutshell, the differences are very minor. The difference lies in the thickness of the steel on the casket. An 18-gauge casket will weight a little more than a 20-gauge casket since the steel is heavier.
• Gasketed caskets are an option - A gasketed casket is one that is able to be “sealed” shut once it has been closed for good. These gasketed caskets are sometimes a little bit more expensive, but are not necessarily better or worse than different caskets. There is no guarantee that such a casket could actually make the decomposition of the body go any slower after death occurs. Likewise, it is illegal for any casket maker or funeral home director to claim that it does.
• Casket sizes - Some people worry their loved one may be too small or too large for a normal casket. Typically, most caskets are made for people who are average height and of an average weight. Of course, there is room left for those who are a bit taller or a bit heavier. If you worry that your loved one may be too large for a typical casket, it is a good idea to bring this question up when purchasing a casket.
• What is in the inside of a casket - Casket interiors vary. Casket makers offer everything from a soft cotton with the luxurious feel of satin to a crushed or brushed velvet styled interior. When you are buying caskets online, it is good to verify that the interior of the casket is going to be the same as what was shown in the picture. There are sometimes occasions where this has varied slightly.
• Interiors can be changed - Often, if you give enough time to the casket manufacturer and shipper, they can do what needs to be done to change the interior of a casket if you have specific recommendations for how you would like the interior to appear.
It is natural to have some unanswered questions when it comes to dealing with caskets. The most important thing you can do is know that there are options available when it comes to choosing a casket and you shouldn’t feel bad about learning more or asking questions.
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