Casket selection Guide
Purchasing a Casket
Finding the perfect casket is probably one of the more important, and for many, the most complicated component of planning a funeral or memorial service. Buying a jewel casket or coffin is a vital element of planning funeral preparations. Additionally, it is easily the most significant purchase connected to a memorial. Regardless of where you make the decision to obtain a memorial casket, make an effort to consider what the memorial casket happens to be for. The primary use of caskets is to give the deceased a dignified means of being transported before a funeral service.
Caskets have two primary functions. They will be interred (directly in the ground or in a burial vault) or they will be cremated.
Burial caskets are designed to last for several years. Burial caskets are often manufactured from more durable materials.
Cremation caskets are typically manufactured from affordable, flammable material along the lines of wood.
Coffins can be pricey. Be aware of what to expect when considering rates. Unfortunately, the majority of folks are forced into making a choice about picking out a particular casket during an emotionally fragile point in time. This can lead to buying judgments that are not necessarily the most rational. The casket you choose will be your loved one's final and eternal home. Choosing a casket must not be done hastily, we recommend that this should be a family decision.
Coffin selling prices might differ, depending on the substance, size, design, materials, and whatever personalization features that are supplied. Knowing what you are likely to pay can enable you to evaluate which coffin is the most ideal.
sealed casket
cherry wood casket
Metal Coffins can range anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the metal used, the style, and the dimensions.
Wooden Coffins can range from around $900 to $10,000, depending on the type of wood used, the style and the finish. Burial shrouds can cost between $150 to $1,000.
Cardboard coffins can range from $50 to $500.
Check with the cemetery about the vault requirements.
Various cemeteries allow for grave liners that could be less expensive. Liners can vary between $400 to $800. Even though it is not required by law, many cemeteries will require you to definitely install the deceased and their coffin inside a concrete vault. This vault will assist the gravesite from caving in after the coffin degrades. Vaults will in most cases cost roughly $1,000. Remember to give some thought to any vault regulations before making your final choice of coffin.
Selecting a Casket Provider
Probably the most convenient way to invest in a casket is with the funeral home that will be controlling your arrangements. If you are able to find a cheaper price point for your casket in other places, perhaps it will be worth approaching them to determine if they will present you with a better price. You must also note that you will not be required by law to purchase a casket for cremation. You have the legal right to select an unfinished wood box or substitute container.
Does someone have to buy a casket strictly at a funeral home?
The straightforward answer is no. Years ago if you wanted to buy a casket you had to buy it from your Funeral Home. As a result of this, the mark up on caskets was as much as 500% sometimes. The rise of e-commerce has leveled the playing field on casket pricing. Don't fall for any "up-selling" tactics!
Today, when shopping from a funeral home you will be protected by an item referred to as The Funeral Rule. This law requires that you are presented with a casket price list (CPL) ahead of looking at example caskets. This information (CPL) must be given to the family to take home. You should never feel pressured to buy a casket outside of your budget. The FTC’s ‘Funeral Rule’ declares that memorial homes must include your personal funeral casket if you have chosen to purchase it elsewhere. The FTC's 'Funeral Rule' also says that the funeral home is not able to charge anyone more money for this.
By law, funeral homes are required to allow caskets from third-party merchants. Be advised, these sellers are not legally required to abide by The Funeral Rule. If you have a casket showroom in your area you are free to purchase your casket by way of this service provider. Just like any other purchase, you should ensure that you are doing business with a reliable and dependable vendor ensuring that you have some understanding about after-sales service. The last thing you want is to order a casket and have issues with delivery.
To learn more about how casket buyers are protected under The Funeral Rule click here.
Here are some Facts the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ruled on to protect the customer:
No Funeral Home is able to demand a handling fee anytime a casket is ordered anywhere else.
The Funeral Home is not able to deny a casket from another vendor.
The Funeral Home should not ask for an invoice of the casket paid for somewhere else.
The Funeral Home cannot make any slanderous statements concerning purchasing a casket anywhere else. All those can be reported to the FTC and can result in fines of up to $10,000 for the funeral home.
The Funeral Home cannot pull back a price cut offer when the family chooses to purchase a casket somewhere else.
Here at Merit Memorial, you'll find a recently added complete array of caskets. We have made every effort to make our collection among the largest available online.