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We are proud to offer resources on how to buy a casket to those of you who recently lost a loved one. Unfortunately, many people struggle to make funeral decisions when experiencing the brain fog that comes with grief.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- What’s the Purpose of a Casket?
- How Much Do Caskets Typically Cost?
- What Are the Different Types of Caskets?
- What Are Some Key Features of Caskets?
- What Size Casket Do You Need?
- What Are Some Good Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Casket?
- What Happens After You Purchase a Casket?
- How to Buy a Casket Online
- Best Places to Buy a Casket Online
- How to Buy a Casket In Person or at a Funeral Home
We’ll discuss the purpose, types, and features of caskets and answer frequently asked questions about buying them. We will also give you a list of popular online casket retailers and tips for buying them online.
What’s the Purpose of a Casket?
In practical terms, a casket is a container designed to hold the bodily remains of the deceased. However, the purpose of a casket can depend upon the type of service the family chooses to have for their loved one, as well as the deceased’s final resting place.
For example, some families purchase caskets for open-casket viewings. This means that the casket will be open during the service so mourners can view the deceased.
Some families choose to have an open-casket viewing followed by cremation. If this is your preference, the family can decide to rent a casket for the viewing.
Some families choose burial without a viewing. This means that you might be looking for a full-couch casket: a casket without a split in the lid.
Cremation requires the use of a cremation casket. Funeral homes must also offer less expensive cremation casket options, typically made of unfinished wood, pressed wood, fiberboard, or cardboard. However, some choose caskets made entirely of wood without any metal hardware or embellishments for cremation.
Finally, the family needs to consider the final resting place for the casket when making their purchase. For example, the casket may be placed inside a vault if laid to rest in a traditional cemetery. Some caskets are entombed in a mausoleum crypt. Finally, some families opt for burial in eco-friendly cemeteries, which require biodegradable caskets.
It’s generally a good idea to decide on the final resting place for the casket before purchasing one.
How Much Do Caskets Typically Cost?
Caskets range significantly in price. They start at around $1,000. High-end caskets can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The price depends on the materials used to make the casket and the number and style of personalization options chosen.
What Are the Different Types of Caskets?
Most of the time, caskets are categorized by the type of material used, so our discussion of different types of caskets will begin there. Caskets can also be classified by size and use.
Metal caskets
Some families prefer metal caskets for their durability and wide range of color options. There are many different sub-categories of metal caskets, including steel, stainless steel, copper, and bronze.
Metal caskets are also sub-categorized based on the thickness of the material used. Lower-gauge metal (16 gauge) is more durable and thicker than an 18-gauge casket. In addition, copper and bronze caskets are based on the weight of the material per square foot, such as 32 or 48 ounces per square foot.
Some families choose metal caskets because they can be gasketed or sealed. However, contrary to popular belief, gaskets do not stop body decomposition. It is illegal for a salesperson to make this claim when discussing casket features.
Wood caskets
Wood caskets are popular options. They range in price depending on the type of wood and hardware used and the quality of the construction. Wood caskets are made from mahogany, walnut, poplar, cherry, oak, birch, maple, pine, poplar, and willow.
Some wood caskets are designed without hardware or metal fasteners. These can be used for Jewish burial services or cremation.
Cloth-covered fiberboard or pressed wood caskets
One of the least expensive options for a casket is one made from fiberboard or pressed wood. The wood product is covered by a heavy-duty cloth material that comes in various colors and styles.
Eco-friendly caskets
Eco-friendly caskets are typically made with seagrass, willow, bamboo grass, or cardboard and are constructed without metal hardware or fasteners. If you choose to bury your loved one in an eco-friendly cemetery, you might be required to purchase a casket made of one of these materials, as they will break down naturally over time. You may also be able to choose one of these options as a cremation casket.
Custom caskets
We chose to use the term “custom caskets” for lack of a better phrase. While most caskets can be customized by choosing exterior and interior colors, hardware, and personalization options, some families choose extreme custom caskets. An extreme custom casket might be designed to look like a fishing boat. Some custom caskets may be shaped like a traditional casket but covered with photos or the logo of the deceased’s favorite band or superhero.
What Are Some Key Features of Caskets?
Once you know the final resting place of your loved one’s remains and have chosen the casket type, you can focus on selecting the casket features.
Half-couch lidded casket
The term “half-couch” means that the casket’s lid is divided in half. Therefore, the top half of the casket can be opened during the visitation.
Full-couch lidded casket
The term “full-couch” means that the lid can only be opened as one entire unit. The whole body will be displayed when a full-couch lidded casket is opened. Sometimes families choose this style when the casket will remain closed for the service.
Liners
Most caskets are lined with fabric (generally polyester, satin, or velvet.) Liners come in a wide range of colors. You might select a color based on your loved one’s preference. Some families choose the liner color to coordinate with the deceased’s burial clothes. You might also pick the liner color based on the deceased’s favorite team or national affiliation.
Commemorative panels
Most casket companies also sell customizable interior panels. These commemorative panels can be as simple as adding the embroidered word “mother” to the interior of the lid. You can also select images of sunsets, praying hands, or clouds. Some customize the interior of a casket with a collage of family photos.
What Size Casket Do You Need?
Caskets typically come in three different sizes.
- Standard: A standard casket is designed to fit an adult of average height and weight.
- Oversized: Sometimes, oversized caskets are needed. However, ensure it is necessary before you pay more for an oversized casket. Some casket websites state that a standard casket can hold a body as tall as 6’10”.
- Child/infant: Child or infant-sized caskets are available.
Should You Buy a Casket Online or In-Person?
We certainly aren’t ready to tell you whether you should buy your loved one’s casket online or in person. However, your funeral home must follow the Funeral Rules outlined by the Federal Trade Commission.
One rule states that you have the right to “provide the funeral home with a casket or urn you buy elsewhere. The funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket or urn you bought online, at a local casket store, or somewhere else — or charge you a fee to do it. The funeral home cannot require you to be there when the casket or urn is delivered to them.”
You should buy a casket in person if…
- You prefer to see the casket before you buy it.
- Your local funeral home has a wide variety of caskets at reasonable prices.
- You prefer to spend money in your community.
- You prefer to pay one company for all the funeral products and services.
- You don’t have enough time to look for the best online option.
You should buy a casket online if…
- You can save money by purchasing a casket from an online retailer.
- You are searching for a specific type of casket or personalization option unavailable at the funeral home or other brick-and-mortar location.
- You have time to order the casket so that it is delivered in plenty of time for the service.
What Are Some Good Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Casket?
We know we have given you a lot to think about as you select a casket for your loved one’s funeral. So here are some questions you might ask when buying a casket from an in-person or online retailer.
Can I buy this casket and select the services I want instead of buying a package?
Funeral homes must provide you with this option. For example, you might want to avoid purchasing a package deal from your local funeral home if you choose not to have the body embalmed before burial.
Are there lower-priced caskets available that aren’t on display?
Funeral homes must provide you with a complete price list of all available caskets, including those that aren’t on display.
How much is the funeral vault?
Sometimes both the funeral home and cemetery sell vaults. Consider comparing prices on vaults before making your decision. You can also buy vaults online.
Does my loved one need an oversized casket?
Check with the cemetery to see if you also need to purchase an oversized vault or plot for an oversized casket.
How does delivery work?
For online orders, ask if delivery costs are included in the price of the casket. Also, ask what happens if the casket doesn’t arrive on time for the funeral.
How long should I allow for shipping?
Most of the time, this information is available on the retailer’s website.
What personalization options are available?
Some casket companies allow you to personalize the inside and outside of the casket.
What Happens After You Purchase a Casket?
Once you have made the casket selection (in-person or online), you can continue with other aspects of funeral planning. For example, you might want to spend time gathering photos of your loved one, select funeral poems for the program, or comfort extended family and friends of the deceased. You may also need to select an outfit for the deceased to wear.
If you buy it online
You do not have to be present when the casket is delivered to the funeral home. In most cases, the casket retailer will communicate directly with the funeral home to arrange the delivery.
If you buy it in person
If you buy the casket from the funeral home, there’s little else to do.
How to Buy a Casket Online
Online retailers have fine-tuned the process of ordering caskets online. Each retailer has a different method, but the process is similar for each website.
First, narrow down your selections by filtering the caskets based on material, size, style, and color. You may also look at the search results based on popularity or in ascending or descending order of cost.
Once you have chosen the casket, most websites will walk you through personalization options. You can add some of these personalization options for an additional cost.
Then it is time to provide the casket’s shipping address, the deceased’s name, and the funeral’s day and time.
Before you provide your payment information, it might be a good idea to have someone else examine the details for the purchase. You wouldn’t be the first person who messed up when ordering something online. However, making a mistake on a purchase of this magnitude might be more challenging to correct.
Best Places to Buy a Casket Online
It’s always important to be careful when selecting an online retailer. Here are some of the most popular online casket companies to consider when ordering a pre-need or immediate-need casket.
Titan Caskets
Types of caskets offered: Steel, wooden, oversized, military, eco, cloth, religious, and specialty
Cost of shipping: Free
Return policy: You can return unused caskets within 30 days, but you must pay for return shipping and a 30% restock fee. Custom-made caskets can’t be returned.
Customer service options: Phone, email, web chat
Price range: $800 to $2,500
The founders of Titan Caskets were frustrated when faced with the task of buying a casket for their loved ones. When they heard about the FTC’s Funeral Rule, they began researching how they could offer lower-priced caskets directly to the consumer.
Titan has been selling caskets online since 2016. The company’s website is attractive and easy to use. Families can opt for the “Help Me Choose” option, which walks you through the casket-buying process.
You can also “Design Your Own Casket” if you are selecting a metal one. You can choose exterior and interior colors, hardware, and the gauge of steel used and decide whether to add a rubber gasket seal and lock option.
Titan offers a full range of caskets, including eco-friendly options made from seagrass, willow, and bamboo.
Trusted Caskets
Types of caskets offered: Metal, wood, wood veneer, oversized, cremation
Cost of shipping: Free shipping in California; call for a shipping quote if you are outside of California
Return policy: You can return unused caskets within 20 days, but you must pay for return shipping and a 30% restock fee.
Customer service options: Phone, email
Price range: $1,000 to $2,650
The founder of Trusted Caskets was frustrated by his casket-buying experience when his father passed. The caskets offered by the funeral home seemed expensive, and there weren’t many options. From that experience, Trusted Caskets was born.
Trusted Caskets sells metal, wood, wood veneer, and cremation (or Jewish) caskets. Call their customer service line to get a quote for shipping costs.
Trusted Caskets also offers a Price Beat Guarantee. If you find a lower price on the same casket, Trusted Caskets will beat that price by 5%.
CasketSite
Types of caskets offered: Metal, wood, oversized, cremation, vaults
Cost of shipping: Free next-day delivery if within 30 miles from local warehouse or location of delivery personnel; call for a shipping estimate
Return policy: Canceled orders are subject to a 35% restocking fee plus forwarding and return shipping charges when applicable.
Customer service options: Phone
Price range: $690 - $17,890
CasketSite is a wholesale supplier of caskets made by Batesville, York, Aurora, and Respectful. In fact, your order may be shipped directly from the manufacturer’s warehouse.
One benefit of using CasketSite is that they offer high-end caskets at a discount, including expensive mahogany options. You can also purchase the required vault directly from CasketSite.
CasketSite’s website is not as sleek as some of its competitors. Still, consider this company if your goal is to buy a casket at a discounted price.
Amazon
Types of caskets offered: Metal, wood, eco-friendly
Cost of shipping: Free delivery
Return policy: Can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged, or materially different returns.
Customer service options: Amazon Assistant
Price range: $999-$1,699
Titan Caskets has a heavy presence on Amazon, but a few other casket retailers also sell through Amazon. Like other casket retailers, Amazon will ship your choice directly to the funeral home.
One benefit of buying a casket through Amazon is that it seems as if the return policy is more flexible. However, you might want to verify this before ordering a casket with a plan to return it if you find a better-priced option.
On the other hand, if you buy the casket directly from Titan Caskets, you can call the company directly if something goes wrong. Unfortunately, there are few customer service options when working with Amazon.
Those new to grief may also want to avoid reading the reviews and customer questions on Amazon. Many users are not considerate of the feelings of those grieving a loss.
Walmart
Types of caskets offered: Metal, wood, fiberboard
Cost of shipping: Calculated on the website
Return policy: Can be returned within 90 days only if defective
Customer service options: Online Help Topics
Price range: $960-$3,395
Casket Emporium, Overnight Caskets, and Titan Caskets sell products through Walmart’s website. While the prices may be similar on Walmart’s website, there are a few things to consider before buying from the most popular store in the U.S.
Most of the caskets on Walmart’s websites are labeled as 3+ days shipping. So pay attention to the arrival date if you work within a tight time frame.
Also, there are other benefits to buying directly from the retailer—mainly, the ease of access to customer service operators.
Costco
Types of caskets offered: Metal, wood
Cost of shipping: Free
Return policy: Returns are only accepted due to freight or cosmetic damage from shipping. Caskets cannot be returned to Costco warehouses.
Customer service options: Phone number of supplier
Price range: $1,150 - $1,500
Of course, you won’t find caskets as you wander through the aisles of the warehouse store. However, Costco sells Prime Caskets and Titan Military Caskets online. Currently, the website has only 12 casket choices – nine metal options and three wood caskets.
Although you are technically purchasing the product through Costco, you are instructed to contact Prime Caskets and Titan Caskets directly to discuss availability and shipping times. The cost of shipping is included in the price of the casket.
Sky Caskets
Types of caskets offered: Metal, wood, custom
Cost of shipping: Free air delivery. Prices include delivery to funeral homes. The first 20 miles of delivery are free; then, you are charged $2.95 per mile for delivery.
Return policy: Can be returned within 20 days, but you will be charged shipping and handling costs, $550, and a 25% restocking fee.
Customer service options: Phone, text, or email
Price range: $1,195-$5,995 +
Sky Caskets has been selling directly to the consumer since 1996. They offer 20 and 18-gauge metal caskets and a variety of wood caskets. But perhaps the one thing that distinguishes Sky Caskets from its competitors is that they sell unique, custom-designed caskets.
Do you want a casket that features a full-body photo of your loved one? Perhaps you want one in a unique color or pattern not offered by any other casket retailer. Maybe you want the casket to look like a dairy cow, leopard, or school bus. Sky Caskets can make this happen – for a minimum of $1,000 plus the casket cost.
Overnight Caskets
Types of caskets offered: Metal, wood, oversized, vaults
Cost of shipping: free
Return policy: Can be returned within two weeks of purchase if unused, but you must pay for return shipping and a 30% restocking fee
Customer service options: Phone, email, web chat
Price range: $689 - $5,000
Overnight Caskets advertises “free nationwide shipping” and guaranteed on-time delivery. You can also talk with a customer service representative 24 hours a day.
Before you order the casket for your loved one, you might also check on the prices for the required vaults from the funeral home and cemetery. Overnight Caskets offers a 5% discount if you buy both the casket and vault from them.
Natural Burial Company Store
Types of caskets offered: Casket kits, cane, willow, sea grass, recycled paper
Cost of shipping: Call or email to discuss shipping costs
Return policy: No returns accepted unless the product was damaged at the time of delivery
Customer service options: Phone, email
Price range: $995 - $2,695
Although other online retailers on our list offer eco-friendly caskets, the Natural Burial Company Store is the only one that exclusively sells eco-friendly funeral items.
Besides offering cane, willow, and sea grass caskets, the Natural Burial Company also sells bamboo and cardboard coffin (6-sided) kits. Purchasing this item is not only cost-effective and eco-friendly, but it allows you to participate fully in laying your loved one to rest.
It is worth noting that most cemeteries require caskets to be placed in a vault at the time of burial. Therefore, if you intend to have your loved one quickly return to the earth, you must find a green cemetery option for your loved one’s burial.
How to Buy a Casket In Person or at a Funeral Home
According to rules written by the Federal Trade Commission, you have the right to “See a written casket price list before you see the actual caskets.” This will allow you to “get the price information before you see the caskets so that you can ask about lower-priced products that may not be on display.”
There may also be personalization options available for the casket. Once you have made your order, the cost of the casket is generally added to the funeral home bill.
Buying the Best Casket for Your Loved One
When buying caskets, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Many decisions you make when purchasing a casket come down to personal preference. This can be tricky, as sometimes multiple family members may have opinions on what casket is best or “what dad would have wanted.”
You can make it easier on your family by pre-planning your funeral and selecting the style of casket you prefer.
