CasketsCaskets““a rigid container which is designed for the a rigid container which is designed for the
encasement of HR and which is usually encasement of HR and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, or like material constructed of wood, metal, or like material
and ornamented and lined with fabric”and ornamented and lined with fabric”
CoffinCoffin
““a case or receptacle for dead HR which is a case or receptacle for dead HR which is anthropoidal in shape”anthropoidal in shape”
- resembles form of human being viewed resembles form of human being viewed from the front.from the front.
- 6 or 8 vertical sides6 or 8 vertical sides
- kophinos (“basket”)kophinos (“basket”)
- commonly used outside of N. Americacommonly used outside of N. America
Casket ConstructionCasket Construction
wood, metal, polymer plastics and wood, metal, polymer plastics and fiberglassfiberglass
2 basic materials most often used:2 basic materials most often used: 1) wood1) wood
2) metal2) metal
Wood CasketsWood Caskets
Features:Features:
Hardwood (deciduous)Hardwood (deciduous)
Softwood (coniferous)Softwood (coniferous)
Species of WoodSpecies of Wood
Birch: hardwoodBirch: hardwood
Cherry: hardwoodCherry: hardwood
Mahogany: hardwoodMahogany: hardwood
Maple: hardwoodMaple: hardwood
Species of Wood (cont’d)Species of Wood (cont’d)
Oak: hardwoodOak: hardwood
Walnut: hardwoodWalnut: hardwood
Poplar: hardwoodPoplar: hardwood
Pine: softwoodPine: softwood
Select Hardwood (Salix)Select Hardwood (Salix)
““a casket constructed from many different a casket constructed from many different species of wood; the component parts of a species of wood; the component parts of a single casket will not necessarily be single casket will not necessarily be constructed of the same species of wood”constructed of the same species of wood”
LaminatesLaminates
““made by uniting superimposed layers of made by uniting superimposed layers of different materials”different materials”
wood veneer: “created by gluing a thin wood veneer: “created by gluing a thin layer of wood of superior value or layer of wood of superior value or excellent grain to an inferior wood”excellent grain to an inferior wood”
artificial laminates: photo re-production artificial laminates: photo re-production transferred to a vinyl-like material and then transferred to a vinyl-like material and then applied to inexpensive wood baseapplied to inexpensive wood base
Wood By-ProductsWood By-Products
Composition board (particle board, pressed Composition board (particle board, pressed board, fiberboard, hardboard) “particles of wood board, fiberboard, hardboard) “particles of wood bonded together with waterproof glue; the bonded together with waterproof glue; the different types are distinguished by the size and different types are distinguished by the size and shape of the particles of wood used”shape of the particles of wood used”
Plywood: “thin sheets of wood glued together so Plywood: “thin sheets of wood glued together so that the grains are at right angles to one that the grains are at right angles to one another; an odd number of sheets will be used another; an odd number of sheets will be used so that the grain on the front and back will so that the grain on the front and back will always run the same direction”always run the same direction”
Metal CasketsMetal Caskets
2 basic types of metals used:2 basic types of metals used:
1) ferrous1) ferrous
2) non-ferrous2) non-ferrous
Ferrous Metal CasketsFerrous Metal Caskets
““any metal formed from iron (steel or any metal formed from iron (steel or stainless steel)”stainless steel)”
Most common is steel: “a metal alloy Most common is steel: “a metal alloy consisting mainly of iron and carbon; used consisting mainly of iron and carbon; used in caskets it is low in carbon which keeps it in caskets it is low in carbon which keeps it soft (mild) and malleable; commercial steel soft (mild) and malleable; commercial steel contains carbon in an amount up to 1.7% contains carbon in an amount up to 1.7% as an essential alloying constituent”as an essential alloying constituent”
GaugeGauge
““a measurement of thickness of metals; a measurement of thickness of metals; the number of sheets of metal necessary the number of sheets of metal necessary to equal approximately one inch of to equal approximately one inch of thickness”thickness”
Gauge = US Standard Gauge (1893)Gauge = US Standard Gauge (1893)
Galvanized steel: “coated with zinc for Galvanized steel: “coated with zinc for increased resistance to rust”increased resistance to rust”
Stainless SteelStainless Steel
““a metal alloy of steel, chromium, and a metal alloy of steel, chromium, and sometimes nickel which is used in casket sometimes nickel which is used in casket construction; noted for its ability to resist construction; noted for its ability to resist rust”rust”
400 series/409 stainless steel/martensitic 400 series/409 stainless steel/martensitic stainless steelstainless steel
300 series/304 stainless steel/austenitic300 series/304 stainless steel/austenitic
Effects of NickelEffects of Nickel
1) additional corrosion resistance1) additional corrosion resistance
2) non-magnetically attractive2) non-magnetically attractive
3) stronger welds3) stronger welds
Non-ferrous Metal CasketsNon-ferrous Metal Caskets
Copper: “a malleable, ductile, metallic element Copper: “a malleable, ductile, metallic element having a characteristic reddish brown color”having a characteristic reddish brown color”
2 categories:2 categories:
1) wrought copper: “copper metal rolled into 1) wrought copper: “copper metal rolled into sheets”sheets”
2) copper deposit: “a casket made from a core of 2) copper deposit: “a casket made from a core of copper metal to which copper ions are combined copper metal to which copper ions are combined by an electrolytic process”by an electrolytic process”
Non-ferrous (cont’d)Non-ferrous (cont’d)
Bronze: “a metal alloy consisting of 90% Bronze: “a metal alloy consisting of 90% copper with tin and sometimes zinc copper with tin and sometimes zinc comprising the other 10%”comprising the other 10%”
2 varieties:2 varieties:
1) wrought bronze: “bronze metal rolled 1) wrought bronze: “bronze metal rolled into sheets”into sheets”
2) cast bronze: “molten bronze poured into 2) cast bronze: “molten bronze poured into a mold and allowed to cool”a mold and allowed to cool”
Other MaterialsOther Materials
Fiberglass: “a material consisting of extremely Fiberglass: “a material consisting of extremely fine filaments of glass embedded in various fine filaments of glass embedded in various resins”resins”
Plastic: “a synthetic or natural organic material Plastic: “a synthetic or natural organic material shaped when soft and then hardened”shaped when soft and then hardened”
Polymer: “a compound similar in appearance to Polymer: “a compound similar in appearance to plastic, that has a high molecular weight creating plastic, that has a high molecular weight creating an extremely durable substance”an extremely durable substance”
Component PartsComponent Parts
ShellShell
““the component parts of the casket the component parts of the casket comprised of the cap (lid) and body of the comprised of the cap (lid) and body of the casket”casket”
CapCap
Will include all or some of the following:Will include all or some of the following: 1) ogee (rim)1) ogee (rim) 2) crown2) crown 3) pie (fishtail)3) pie (fishtail) 4) header4) header 5) ogee flange (rim flange)5) ogee flange (rim flange) 6) gasket channel6) gasket channel 7) header flange (cap filler flange)7) header flange (cap filler flange)
BodyBody
Will include all or some of the following:Will include all or some of the following: 1) body ledge (top body molding)1) body ledge (top body molding) 2) end and side body panels2) end and side body panels 3) base molding3) base molding 4) body ledge flange4) body ledge flange 5) casket bottom5) casket bottom
HardwareHardware
““the handles, ornamental fixtures and their the handles, ornamental fixtures and their fittings that are attached to the casket fittings that are attached to the casket shell”shell”
Swing BarSwing Bar
Stationary BarStationary Bar
Casket HandlesCasket Handles
4 components:4 components: 1) lug (ear)1) lug (ear) 2) arm2) arm 3) bar3) bar 4) tip4) tip
Bail HandleBail Handle
CornerCorner
Hardware Production MethodsHardware Production Methods
Cast HardwareCast Hardware
Stamped HardwareStamped Hardware
Plastic Extrusion MoldingPlastic Extrusion Molding
Casket InteriorsCasket Interiors
Perfection Full CouchPerfection Full Couch
Perfection Half CouchPerfection Half Couch
Cap PanelCap Panel
Head PanelHead Panel
Foot PanelFoot Panel
Inner PanelsInner Panels
Casket Interiors (cont’d)Casket Interiors (cont’d)
CoveCoveFold (Gimp)Fold (Gimp)Overlay (Overthrow, Throw)Overlay (Overthrow, Throw)ApronApronExtendoverExtendoverHinge Cover (Hinge Skirt)Hinge Cover (Hinge Skirt)PillowPillowBed: adjustable vs. stationaryBed: adjustable vs. stationaryMattress CoverMattress CoverBlanketBlanket
Interior MaterialsInterior Materials
Lining Materials:Lining Materials: CrepeCrepe VelvetVelvet SatinSatin Linen and Linen WeavesLinen and Linen Weaves Twill WeavesTwill Weaves MuslinMuslin
Backing and Padding MaterialsBacking and Padding Materials
CardboardCardboard
PlasticPlastic
MasselinMasselin
ExcelsiorExcelsior
CottonCotton
Other Synthetic TextilesOther Synthetic Textiles
Interior StylesInterior Styles
ShirredShirred
CrushedCrushed
TuftedTufted
TailoredTailored
Semi-tailoredSemi-tailored
Exterior FinishesExterior Finishes
Wood:Wood: 1) unfinished1) unfinished 2) natural finish2) natural finish 3) stained3) stained 4) unstained4) unstained
Types of Wood FinishesTypes of Wood Finishes
PolishedPolished
Semi-glossSemi-gloss
MatteMatte
SatinSatin
PaintedPainted
LaminatesLaminates
Cloth CoveredCloth Covered
Metal Casket ExteriorsMetal Casket Exteriors
BrushedBrushed
PlatedPlated
SprayedSprayed
Types of Metal FinishesTypes of Metal Finishes
GlossGloss
CrinkledCrinkled
HammertoneHammertone
Flat (Matte)Flat (Matte)
Fiberglass and PolymerFiberglass and Polymer
Types of finish:Types of finish:
1) wood grain1) wood grain 2) marble2) marble 3) polished, gloss3) polished, gloss 4) sprayed4) sprayed
