Casket Choices To Consider When Planning A Loved One's Funeral
Posted on: 22 August 2015
In the days following the death of a loved one, there's a whirlwind of decisions to make and final services to plan. One of the most significant decisions that you'll have to make with the funeral home is what type of casket your loved one will be buried in. Since this is going to be where your loved one will be laid to rest, it's a decision you should make only if you're fully informed. Here's a look at some of the different casket options you'll have to choose from.
Wood
There are many different styles and types of wood caskets, including maple, oak, mahogany, pecan and walnut. They come in a few different forms, including solid wood, wood laminate and cloth-covered. A solid wood casket is made from just that – solid wood. The only component that's typically not wood on these caskets is the hardware. The hinges and fasteners are usually made from stainless steel or brass.
A wood laminate casket is made from a set of wood strips that are applied to a plywood base. The strips are usually either glued or laminated to the foundation. Once applied, the surface is sanded with fine sandpaper and polished. A cloth-covered casket is usually one of the most affordable, because it's created from pressboard or plywood. Then, the core of the casket is covered with whatever cloth you choose. Since the casket is covered in cloth, you can make it any color or style your loved one would appreciate most.
Metal
A metal casket is usually made from carbon, copper, bronze or stainless steel. Carbon is usually the most common of the metal casket styles. Most every style of metal casket has a variety of wall thicknesses to choose from, and you can typically customize the casket's finish as well. If you're investing in a metal casket, think about whether your loved one would like brushed or polished metal better. If you like the idea of metal but don't want it to corrode or degrade, you'll want to choose copper or bronze. These are the longest-lasting of the metal casket options.
Cremation
If your loved one has decided to be cremated, you can still have a graveside service as well as a wake if you invest in a cremation casket. Cremation caskets are usually a simpler design and made from more affordable materials, because cremation remains don't need the same level of reinforcement that you'd need for a standard burial.
Now that you know what your options are, you'll be able to work with the funeral home to choose a casket that best fits your loved one's preferences and your budget. Understanding your options before you visit the funeral home can save you the time and emotional strain of having to look through all of the casket choices in the funeral home. You can just examine the ones made from the material you've decided to use.
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