Merchandise
There are important differences between caskets that should be noted prior to making your selection. The two distinct groups of caskets are Metal and Hardwood.
There are four types of metal caskets: Solid Bronze, Solid Copper, Stainless Steel, and Carbon Steel. They range in durability as well as price, with Bronze and Copper being the most durable, and therefore the most expensive. The type of metal, the casket shell design, and the interior fabric determine the price.
Hardwood caskets consist of many different types of wood. The price is determined by the specific type of wood, the casket shell design, and the fabric used to make the interior.
The interior fabrics, of metal and wood caskets, are available in velvet, velour, crepe and satin. Through head panels and hardware, some caskets reflect a theme such as nature, floral, and religious, or military.
We are proud to say ALL caskets and burial vaults sold through our funeral home are American made.
Metal Caskets
Metal caskets provide a wide range of eye appeal, durability, and pricing. This is why metal caskets account for two thirds of all caskets sold in the United States today. Available in a wide variety of colors and features, metal caskets provide great value and make for a fitting tribute. Metal caskets come in bronze, copper, stainless steel, and carbon steel.
Bronze, a semi-precious material is an alloy of copper, zinc, and tin. It is the strongest and most enduring of any casket-construction material. Bronze is resistant to corrosive elements, an important consideration in selecting a casket. Bronze caskets are available in a hand brushed finish or painted finish. Bronze makes an elegant, exquisite remembrance.
Copper is considered a precious metal and evidence of its longevity rests in the original copper roofs and pipes existing on the world's great architectural gems. It is resistant to corrosion. Copper is one third stronger than stainless steel and available in a 32 ounce weight. Finishes are hand brushed or painted and applied by skilled artisans. This natural and precious metal expresses a remarkable life.
Stainless steel is an alloy metal. It's strength and longevity derive from additions of chromium and nickel to carbon steel. The chromium protects against rust and oxidation. Stainless steel is 8.3 times longer lasting than 16 gauge carbon steel.
Steel: The long lasting nature of metal coupled with its affordability and performance make steel caskets one of the most popular. Strength, reliability, pricing, and beauty all translate into the obvious value of steel caskets. Steel caskets are available in 18 gauge thickness and 20 gauge thicknesses.
Wood Caskets
Hardwood caskets are made from a variety of different species. Prices are determined by the different species, casket shell design, and the fabric used to make the interior.
Mahogany is revered by many as the premier hardwood. Mahogany has a very distinct, pleasing grain and its propensity for high luster finishing creates unmatched beauty and eye appeal.
Cherry is one of the most popular species for casket construction. It is light, very strong, hard, and fine-grained. Used extensively in fine furniture, it is a very beautiful and suitable hardwood for caskets.
Maple: This North American hardwood is known for its distinctive grain along with an unsurpassed strength and durability. Maple is a favorite hardwood in the home furnishing industry. Many of the same characteristics that make it appealing for use in the home also make it popular for use in casket construction.
Oak: A very hard, heavy and strong wood, Oak is durable and readily takes a great variety of fine finishes. The grain patterns of any two trees are never exactly alike providing individualism not found in other casket materials. Caskets of Oak have a natural warmth and beauty that have remained the mark of fine quality and prestige.
Pecan: A durable and strong material used in all areas of woodworking. The deep grain provides an appealing color contrast. The red and brown heartwood accents create a unique appearance.
Hickory: A durable and strong material used in all areas of woodworking. The deep grain provides an appealing color contrast. The red and brown heartwood accents create an unique appearance.
Poplar: Strength, value, and versatility make Poplar appealing for any practical use and especially for casket construction. It is a hardwood native to forests in the northern United States and parts of Canada.
Hardwood Veneer: Veneer is a thin layer of wood produced by peeling, slicing, or sawing of logs. It allows for production of wood caskets in affordable price ranges. Color and grain patterns are similar to those found in solid hardwood caskets.
Outer Burial Containers or Vaults
A burial vault is a lined and sealed outer receptacle that encloses the casket. It protects the casket from the weight of the earth and from heavy cemetery equipment that passes over the grave. From heavy graveside equipment to extreme impact loads such as the force from lowering the backhoe bucket on or near a grave, a burial vault will protect the casket and your families' loved ones inside. It also helps resist the entrance of exterior elements into the burial receptacle and preserves the casket, and therefore, your loved one inside. It also preserves the beauty of the cemetery or memorial park by preventing the ground from settling. There are several levels of protection offered when choosing an outer burial container. Every family is different, and each will have a unique set of circumstances, beliefs, and constraints when deciding which type of burial container to purchase. We offer a variety of burial vaults constructed of both steel in various gauges, and steel reinforced concrete with seamless polystyrene liners. Steel vaults, also known as Airseal Vaults, use a natural seal called "The diving bell principle" seals at the bottom of the vault. Concrete vaults, also known as Topseal Vaults, seal at the top of the vault using a tongue and groove formation with abutylpoxy tape.
Cremation Urns
When it comes to cremation urns, there is literally something for everyone. Size, color, materials, design. No matter what aspect of a cremation urn you are interested in, nearly everything is customizable, allowing even the most cost conscious families to create memorials befitting the personality of their precious loved ones. Here is a summary of the options one can keep in mind when choosing the perfect cremation urn.When it comes to cremation urns, there is literally something for everyone. Size, color, materials, design. No matter what aspect of a cremation urn you are interested in, nearly everything is customizable, allowing even the most cost conscious families to create memorials befitting the personality of their precious loved ones. Here is a summary of the options one can keep in mind when choosing the perfect cremation urn.
Cremation urns are available in any number of different sizes, each suitable for a different type of use. Very large cremation urns tend to hold 400 - 500 cubic inches worth of remains and are suitable for the many couples who are comforted by the thought of spending eternity together in one urn. Standard sized cremation urns typically hold 170 - 350 cubic inches worth of remains and are the usual choice for most people. But, that said, these "individual" sized cremation urns can vary a great deal in size. Some, for example, are designed to store ashes in the base of a rather large sculpture, and, in others that are smaller, the ashes are stored into a hollow portion of a sculpture or cylinder design itself. And, finally, the smallest size of cremation urns are known as "keepsake" urns and typically hold anywhere from a teaspoon to 50 cubic inches of remains. These types of urns are not intended to hold the entire set of remains of a single person, but, rather, they are perfect for families who want to divide the ashes of a loved one amongst several locales or for those who wish to keep a small portion of ashes that are otherwise scattered over some special place.
Cremation urns are available in colors that span the rainbow and set any sort of memorial tone that a family can desire. Whimsical, playful personalities can be remembered through the ages with bright colors on an urn, and the memorial industry offers plenty of choices in that regard. Whether an urn is made from wood, fiberglass, or even brass, it can be enhanced with just about any type of color scheme imaginable. One wood urn artist is even well known for creating colorful designs not from paint but, rather, by using pieces of rare wood that are a multitude of different colors.
Studious personalities are best memorialized with urns that feature a serious-toned color. Plenty of elegant cremation urns made from all types of materials feature, smooth, sophisticated colors -- brown, gray, black, etc. -- that will present a picture of intelligence and wisdom to the ages.
Cremation urns are made from all sorts of materials, ranging from long-lasting natural substances such as marble and granite to biodegradable materials such as paper. This vast array of choices for materials means that cremation urns can be used for just about any memorial setting imaginable. Studier materials, such as steel and bronze are suitable for outdoor display or for direct burial of remains. And the less hearty materials such as glass or wood can become beautiful additions to any interior decor. One surprising choice of cremation urn material may be paper. Yes, it's true that many people today desire to have an attractive urn at a funeral service but do not intend to keep the ashes stored in a single place for a long period. So, for these cases, biodegradable, relatively inexpensive, urns made from paper or cardboard are the perfect choice.
The most amazing thing regarding the diversity of cremation urns may just be the availability of multitudes of designs. Those who think of cremation urns as simple, vase-like cylinders will likely be surprised at what else earns the name cremation urn these days. Traditional "Grecian" urn designs are still quite common and popular, of course, but that is just the start. Beautiful urns are now available today that take the shape of jewelry boxes, kitchen ware, sporting goods, and even motorcycle gas tanks. It's not uncommon today to see urns designed to be part of an outdoor memorial display -- such as in a hollow "memorial rock" that is installed in a garden of some sort. And, with the explosion of creativity in the memorial industry in recent years, elaborate or unusual designs of urns do not necessarily have to be custom ordered from an artist (though many people still do that). Plenty of ready-made, off-the-norm, and designs are available from retailers at any time and can be shipped, in most cases, within a week. Urns featuring baseball gloves, hunting scenes, and even a ball of yarn are among the many unique designs that are available for immediate purchase these days.
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