Caskets

1. Caskets “a rigid container which is designed for the encasement of HR and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, or like material and ornamented and lined with fabric”

2. Coffin “a case or receptacle for dead HR which is anthropoidal in shape” • resembles form of human being viewed from the front. • 6 or 8 vertical sides • kophinos (“basket”) • commonly used outside of N. America

3. Casket Construction • wood, metal, polymer plastics and fiberglass • 2 basic materials most often used: • 1) wood • 2) metal

4. Wood Caskets • Features: • Hardwood (deciduous) • Softwood (coniferous)

5. Species of Wood • Birch: hardwood • Cherry: hardwood • Mahogany: hardwood • Maple: hardwood

6. Species of Wood (cont’d) • Oak: hardwood • Walnut: hardwood • Poplar: hardwood • Pine: softwood

7. Select Hardwood (Salix) • “a casket constructed from many different species of wood; the component parts of a single casket will not necessarily be constructed of the same species of wood”

8. Laminates • “made by uniting superimposed layers of different materials” • wood veneer: “created by gluing a thin layer of wood of superior value or excellent grain to an inferior wood” • artificial laminates: photo re-production transferred to a vinyl-like material and then applied to inexpensive wood base

9. Wood By-Products • Composition board (particle board, pressed board, fiberboard, hardboard) “particles of wood bonded together with waterproof glue; the different types are distinguished by the size and shape of the particles of wood used” • Plywood: “thin sheets of wood glued together so that the grains are at right angles to one another; an odd number of sheets will be used so that the grain on the front and back will always run the same direction”

10. Metal Caskets • 2 basic types of metals used: • 1) ferrous • 2) non-ferrous

11. Ferrous Metal Caskets • “any metal formed from iron (steel or stainless steel)” • Most common is steel: “a metal alloy consisting mainly of iron and carbon; used in caskets it is low in carbon which keeps it soft (mild) and malleable; commercial steel contains carbon in an amount up to 1.7% as an essential alloying constituent”

12. Gauge • “a measurement of thickness of metals; the number of sheets of metal necessary to equal approximately one inch of thickness” • Gauge = US Standard Gauge (1893) • Galvanized steel: “coated with zinc for increased resistance to rust”

13. Stainless Steel • “a metal alloy of steel, chromium, and sometimes nickel which is used in casket construction; noted for its ability to resist rust” • 400 series/409 stainless steel/martensitic stainless steel • 300 series/304 stainless steel/austenitic

14. Effects of Nickel • 1) additional corrosion resistance • 2) non-magnetically attractive • 3) stronger welds

15. Non-ferrous Metal Caskets • Copper: “a malleable, ductile, metallic element having a characteristic reddish brown color” • 2 categories: 1) wrought copper: “copper metal rolled into sheets” 2) copper deposit: “a casket made from a core of copper metal to which copper ions are combined by an electrolytic process”

16. Non-ferrous (cont’d) • Bronze: “a metal alloy consisting of 90% copper with tin and sometimes zinc comprising the other 10%” • 2 varieties: 1) wrought bronze: “bronze metal rolled into sheets” 2) cast bronze: “molten bronze poured into a mold and allowed to cool”

17. Other Materials • Fiberglass: “a material consisting of extremely fine filaments of glass embedded in various resins” • Plastic: “a synthetic or natural organic material shaped when soft and then hardened” • Polymer: “a compound similar in appearance to plastic, that has a high molecular weight creating an extremely durable substance”

18. Component Parts

19. Shell “the component parts of the casket comprised of the cap (lid) and body of the casket”

20. Cap • Will include all or some of the following: • 1) ogee (rim) • 2) crown • 3) pie (fishtail) • 4) header • 5) ogee flange (rim flange) • 6) gasket channel • 7) header flange (cap filler flange)

21. Body • Will include all or some of the following: • 1) body ledge (top body molding) • 2) end and side body panels • 3) base molding • 4) body ledge flange • 5) casket bottom

22. Hardware “the handles, ornamental fixtures and their fittings that are attached to the casket shell” Swing Bar Stationary Bar

23. Casket Handles • 4 components: • 1) lug (ear) • 2) arm • 3) bar • 4) tip • Bail Handle • Corner

24. Hardware Production Methods Cast Hardware Stamped Hardware Plastic Extrusion Molding

25. Casket Interiors Perfection Full Couch Perfection Half Couch Cap Panel Head Panel Foot Panel Inner Panels

26. Casket Interiors (cont’d) Cove Fold (Gimp) Overlay (Overthrow, Throw) Apron Extendover Hinge Cover (Hinge Skirt) Pillow Bed: adjustable vs. stationary Mattress Cover Blanket

27. Interior Materials • Lining Materials: • Crepe • Velvet • Satin • Linen and Linen Weaves • Twill Weaves • Muslin

28. Backing and Padding Materials Cardboard Plastic Masselin Excelsior Cotton Other Synthetic Textiles

29. Interior Styles Shirred Crushed Tufted Tailored Semi-tailored

30. Exterior Finishes • Wood: • 1) unfinished • 2) natural finish • 3) stained • 4) unstained

31. Types of Wood Finishes Polished Semi-gloss Matte Satin Painted Laminates Cloth Covered

32. Metal Casket Exteriors Brushed Plated Sprayed

33. Types of Metal Finishes Gloss Crinkled Hammertone Flat (Matte)

34. Fiberglass and Polymer • Types of finish: • 1) wood grain • 2) marble • 3) polished, gloss • 4) sprayed