Caskets, Urns and Burial Vaults

Caskets, Urns, and Burial Vaults

There’s no doubt that making funeral arrangements can be overwhelming but we hope you find our website to be extremely resourceful while adding clarity to your planning process. And while the site can offer great insight, our experienced and dedicated staff is here to guide you through this challenging time.

Choosing a Casket

One of the most difficult decisions in making funeral arrangements is often choosing from the wide variety of caskets.

The cost of the casket is determined by the material it is made from. Wooden caskets come in a variety of colors and types of wood such as mahogany, cherry, oak, poplar, maple, and ash. Caskets can be constructed of solid wood which is more expensive than wood veneer. Hand-sculpted, high polished finishes or added details can add more appeal but most likely will add to the cost of the casket.

What are Burial Vaults?

The burial vault acts as a large protective container for caskets and urns, insulating them from the elements once it has been buried in the ground. The vault is also used to conserve and protect the cemetery. Over time, heavier caskets can settle into the ground and cause the ground above to become unstable. This is why some cemeteries require a burial vault but often as an optional accessory.

Urns

Wood, stone, fine metal, biodegradable and ceramic vessels are some of the most common materials used to create the urns that hold ashes. Urns allow the family members to keep their loved ones near while protecting the early remains of the deceased. It can be a wonderful alternative to the traditional casket.

Additional Urn Options Available:

1. Earth Burial: Cemeteries are responding to the rising choice of cremation and offer burial plots specifically for cremated remains. The smaller size is lower in cost but may require a burial vault for the urn to be placed within.

2. Columbarium: A structure for the storage of urns usually found on a wall with niches holding the urns. A columbarium can also be part of a cemetery’s mausoleum or within a church.

3. Scattering Garden: Many cemeteries have scattering gardens with flowerbeds, shrubs, and trees. These gardens provide a dedicated place to scatter ashes while still providing a place for family members to visit and reflect. Some have memorial walls or monuments to inscribe the loved one’s name, date of birth, and date of death.