CASKETS
For a “traditional” full-service funeral: A casket often is the single most expensive item you’ll buy if you plan a “traditional” full-service funeral.
Caskets vary widely in style and price and are sold primarily for their visual appeal. Typically, they’re constructed of metal, wood, fiberboard, fiberglass or plastic. Although an average casket costs slightly more than $2,000, some mahogany, bronze or copper caskets sell for as much as $10,000.
When you visit a funeral home or showroom to shop for a casket, the Funeral Rule requires the funeral director to show you a list of caskets the company sells, with descriptions and prices, before showing you the caskets. Industry studies show that the average casket shopper buys one of the first three models shown, generally the middle-priced of the three.
So it’s in the seller’s best interest to start out by showing you higher-end models. If you haven’t seen some of the lower-priced models on the price list, ask to see them — but don’t be surprised if they’re not prominently displayed, or not on display at all.
Traditionally, caskets have been sold only by funeral homes. But more and more, showrooms and websites operated by “third-party” dealers are selling caskets. You can buy a casket from one of these dealers and have it shipped directly to the funeral home. The Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to agree to use a casket you bought elsewhere, and doesn’t allow them to charge you a fee for using it.
No matter where or when you’re buying a casket, it’s important to remember that its purpose is to provide a dignified way to move the body before burial or cremation. No casket, regardless of its qualities or cost, will preserve a body forever. Metal caskets frequently are described as “gasketed,” “protective” or “sealer” caskets. These terms mean that the casket has a rubber gasket or some other feature that is designed to delay the penetration of water into the casket and prevent rust. The Funeral Rule forbids claims that these features help preserve the remains indefinitely because they don’t. They just add to the cost of the casket.
Most metal caskets are made from rolled steel of varying gauges — the lower the gauge, the thicker the steel. Some metal caskets come with a warranty for longevity. Wooden caskets generally are not gasketed and don’t have a warranty for longevity. They can be hardwood like mahogany, walnut, cherry or oak, or softwood like pine. Pine caskets are a less expensive option, but funeral homes rarely display them. Manufacturers of both wooden and metal caskets usually offer warranties for workmanship and materials.
For cremation:
Many families that choose to have their loved ones cremated rent a casket from the funeral home for the visitation and funeral, eliminating the cost of buying a casket. If you opt for visitation and cremation, ask about the rental option. For those who choose a direct cremation without a viewing or other ceremony where the body is present, the funeral provider must offer an inexpensive unfinished wood box or alternative container, a non-metal enclosure — pressboard, cardboard or canvas — that is cremated with the body.
Under the Funeral Rule, funeral directors who offer direct cremations:
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may not tell you that state or local law requires a casket for direct cremations, because none do;
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must disclose in writing your right to buy an unfinished wood box or an alternative container
GRAVE LINERS | VAULTS
Burial vaults or grave liners, also known as burial containers, are commonly used in “traditional” full-service funerals. The vault or liner is placed in the ground before burial, and the casket is lowered into it at burial. The purpose is to prevent the ground from caving in as the casket deteriorates over time. A grave liner is made of reinforced concrete and will satisfy any cemetery requirement. Grave liners cover only the top and sides of the casket. A burial vault is more substantial and expensive than a grave liner. It surrounds the casket in concrete or another material and may be sold with a warranty of protective strength.
State laws do not require a vault or liner, and funeral providers may not tell you otherwise. However, keep in mind that many cemeteries require some type of outer burial container to prevent the grave from sinking in the future. Neither grave liners nor burial vaults are designed to prevent the eventual decomposition of human remains. It is illegal for funeral providers to claim that a vault will keep water, dirt, or other debris from penetrating into the casket if that’s not true.
Before showing you any outer burial containers, a funeral provider is required to give you a list of prices and descriptions. It may be less expensive to buy an outer burial container from a third-party dealer than from a funeral home or cemetery. Compare prices from several sources before you select a model.
CREMATION
Depending on the style of cremation, the average cremation expense ranges from $4,000 to $7,000. Costs for direct cremation range from $2,000 to $5,000. As funeral expenses rise, more people are choosing cremation over burial in order to save money. But after all of the service fees are added up, many people are unaware that cremations can be just as expensive as burials. Direct cremation is a fantastic alternative for people who want to spend as little money as possible, and families can save even more money by providing their own urn and cremation container. Cremation packages, which frequently come with a memorial service and viewing casket, are widely offered by funeral homes. Depending on the funeral home and region, cremation package costs normally range from $2,000 to $10,000.
There are three main types of cremation: traditional, memorial, and direct. The main differences are in price, planning, and timeline. Watch video to learn more, so you can choose which one is best for you and your family.
Urns are NOT Required
Is an urn required for cremation? The answer is no, but our recommendation is, depending on the type of permanent placement that you’d like to have for your loved one, to look at the different options available. There are a variety of options available not only in choice and personalization but also in price. Contact your local provider, and they can help make the right decision for you.
Caskets for Cremation
Is a casket required for cremation?
No. And yes. No, you do not need a traditional (expensive) casket. But yes, you do need an “alternative container” for the body to be in when placed into the cremation chamber.
The “alternative container” is essentially a sturdy cardboard box that will be completely incinerated during cremation. This is typically included in most cremation packages.