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

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

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

Wood Caskets Features: Hardwood (deciduous) Softwood (coniferous)

Species of Wood Birch: hardwood Cherry: hardwood Mahogany: hardwood Maple: hardwood

Species of Wood (contd) Oak: hardwood Walnut: hardwood Poplar: hardwood Pine: softwood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Non-ferrous (contd) 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

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

Component Parts

Shell the component parts of the casket comprised of the cap (lid) and body of the casket

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

Body 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 panels 2) end and side body panels 3) base molding 3) base molding 4) body ledge flange 4) body ledge flange 5) casket bottom 5) casket bottom

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

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

Hardware Production Methods Cast Hardware Stamped Hardware Plastic Extrusion Molding

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

Casket Interiors (contd) Cove Fold (Gimp) Overlay (Overthrow, Throw) ApronExtendover Hinge Cover (Hinge Skirt) Pillow Bed: adjustable vs. stationary Mattress Cover Blanket

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

Backing and Padding Materials CardboardPlasticMasselinExcelsiorCotton Other Synthetic Textiles

Interior Styles ShirredCrushedTuftedTailoredSemi-tailored

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

Types of Wood Finishes PolishedSemi-glossMatteSatinPaintedLaminates Cloth Covered

Metal Casket Exteriors BrushedPlatedSprayed

Types of Metal Finishes GlossCrinkledHammertone Flat (Matte)

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