The Funeral Casket 101

The funeral casket is probably the most identifiable product or symbol within the funeral service. It is also often the most expensive component within the funeral costs and can distinguish one funeral from another. We all can remember Michael Jackson's highly televised memorial service in which he was laid inside a gold casket.

The caskets serves as a burial container but that is not all the purpose that it serves. If it were, the caskets would be much simplier and may even be non-existent. In some parts of the world, bodies are wrapped in a cloth or bag when buried. This poses difficulty in carrying the body to the actual burial site. You could use a type of coffin or similar device for transportation to the cemetery. They would then reuse the transportation container and is only done when people of a different culture are not able to afford a proper casket.

In some faith based communities which have a different view of the body at death. Many believe in a physical resurrection and feel the need to preserve it. There are some who also feel there is spiritual resurrection therefore, the physical body is not as important. For most, preserving the physical body is a gesture of love and respect. In reality, the casket and vault is just a temporary protection because over time, all bodies decompose and return to the earth.

The caskets are considered to serve a combination of practical, psychologoical and spiritual values. Even if the family elects cremation as the form of body disposal, it must still be cremated in a container of some sort that is made out of combustible materials.

The materials for the various types of caskets can be made up of three core materials: fiberglass, wood, and metal. They are a complicated blend of various materials but for the outermost part, it falls into one of these three types.

The fiberglass material is not very popular although they look reasonably attractive. Fiberglass is the material out of the three that would have the least deterioration or decay since it does not break down readily by nature. These are not suitable for cremation because of the toxic fumes that are produced when burned.

The wooden caskets have a variety of different wood materials made of hardwood, softwood or composite wood (plywood or particle board). The hardwood is the best and king of these materials as it produces the most aesthetically beautiful caskets. Mahogany heads the list of desirable casket materials.

Metal caskets come in the form of basic categories: steel/iron or anhy other type of material such as copper, bronze, and aluminum. These are moderately priced and come in a variety of colors since they are painted and lacquered. Over time however, moisture enters the steel caskets and can rust.

It's always a good idea all your options and determine what factors are important to you and your family before choosing a casket, should you want a traditional burial method.