Caskets are more than mere boxes used to carry the dead to their final destination. They look like receptacles for normal eyes, but to the people who are close to the dead, they are insignia that will remind them of their loved ones. Funeral Homes provide a number of options for relatives to choose from. The range varies from highly ornate ones to simple ones. Given the importance of giving a memorable send-off to your loved one, narrowing down on the right one sometimes gets tricky.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Casket
Buying a casket is not something you can do in advance. But at emotionally demanding occasions like funerals, you can be rushed into a wrong buying decision. If you can keep a few pointers in mind, for sure you will not regret your casket purchasing decision later.
Ensure you have set the budget
Enquire about the different price options
Take into account your loved one’s wishes or any instructions left
If they haven’t left any documented instructions, consider what they would have liked
If you are buying a casket for yourself, think about your preferences
Wooden Caskets:
It is considered the most aesthetically appealing choice for burials. They are made of different types of wood, hardwoods like walnut, oak, cherry, or mahogany, or softwoods like pine. They look beautiful when made with expensive wood like mahogany. The finer the wood the costlier the casket becomes. An average wooden casket costs around $2000 to $3000 while the quality ones will cost you more than $10,000. If you are looking for the cheapest option for a casket, go for wood veneer. It is made with pressed wood covered by cloth. You can choose from a range of colors, polishes, and finishes. Poplar wood caskets provide a flexible choice as they come in a lot of colors and polishes to choose from.
Metal Caskets:
Metal caskets are long-lasting compared to traditional wooden ones. They prolong the preservation of the body. Bronze, copper, and steel are the common metals used in making caskets. Compared to wooden caskets, they are pricey, costing around $2,500 to $4,500. One major difference between a metal and a wooden casket is that a wooden casket doesn’t come with a gasket making it difficult to seal it completely. If you want to go for a specific metal, remember that the price varies with thickness. More the thickness, the more the price. While Bronze and copper are durable and anti-rust, they are expensive caskets. If steel is your option, then it won’t cost as much as bronze but as they come in different thickness levels, the price may vary accordingly. For people with big budgets who seek to send off their near and dear ones with elegance, gold is the one.
Cremation caskets:
If you are running low on budget, the local funeral homes like Victoria Funeral Home provide inexpensive cremation caskets. These caskets are made of pressboard, cardboard, or canvas. Though they do not look that attractive to the eye, they are the most environmentally friendly option for those who choose cremation.
