To help in your decisions, here is some basic information about types of caskets:

 

Cloth Covered Caskets

Cloth covered caskets are modestly priced and offer an economical choice for families.

 

Hardwood & Hardwood Veneer Caskets

Wood caskets are the choice of families who appreciate and cherish the qualities of natural wood.  Pine, poplar and veneer caskets represent the most economical categories of wood caskets. Poplar caskets in particular are available in a wide variety of finish colors and polishes which provides a broad and flexible number of choices in this category.

 

Metal Caskets

The most significant feature difference between metal and wood caskets lies in how the lid closes against the shell of the casket. In the majority of metal caskets, a rubber gasket is inserted and wrapped around the entire perimeter of the casket shell. When the lid of the casket is closed a sealing key is inserted on the exterior foot end of the casket and turned to provide a secure closure. The gasket feature has been designed to prevent outside elements from entering the casket in the burial state. The gasketed seal in no way prevents or slows down the naturally occurring decomposition of the body. The gasketed feature is exclusive to most metal caskets. Wood caskets are not constructed with gaskets.