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The Difference Between Funeral Coffins and Caskets: Design & Cost
Let Cage Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. guide you in deciding between funeral coffins and caskets as we discuss its differences.
Coffins and caskets are terms that many people tend to interchange commonly and to them, they may have the same meaning. However, a coffin and casket are two different things and when you experience planning a funeral for a loved one, you'll come to a decision of choosing between the two.
Cage Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. is a full-service funeral home that offers urns, keepsakes, funeral coffins and caskets in Chicago, IL and surrounding areas. For over 40 years, we have offered funeral related merchandise to families while maintaining affordability, excellence, and compassionate service. When working with us, our dedicated staff are here for you and your family in these difficult times. Call us today at (773) 721-8900.
In this article, we will talk about the difference as well as the cost. Before doing that, let us define what they are.
Funeral Coffins
If you’ve watched a movie or a TV show, you’ve probably heard the term “coffin.” Coffins have six sides and are wider on the top than on the bottom. This tapered design was chosen to match the shape of the body as shoulders are wider than feet. Coffins also do not have hinged lids. Instead, they have removable lids that must be fully lifted. The vast majority of coffins are made out of wood and are also finished with cloth interior linings, but they do not have exterior handles for carrying. In fact, any additional decoration or handles are not considered part of the coffin but are instead called “coffin furniture.” Traditionally coffin furniture is used to display the deceased’s wealth or status.
Coffins are typically used in burials and cremations while urns hold the ashes once they have been incinerated. Aside from the common rectangular shape, they are coffins available in hexagonal, octagonal, and round styles for their design and as such there are many types to choose from depending on what you may prefer aesthetically. The cost of coffins will depend on their materials, size, and shape but prices generally range between $200 -$3000+ if it's custom made whereas wooden ones tend to run around $600-$2000 on average.
Funeral Caskets
While both coffins and caskets are burial containers used to hold the remains of a deceased person for a funeral, wake, visitation, and final disposition, in the United States most people use the more modern casket. A casket is a special box made to hold the remains of a deceased person. These boxes are made in rectangular shapes with four sides and hinged lids. Caskets also usually have handles that make them easier to lift, move, and can be used for both cremations and burials depending on the material. Caskets can be made from a variety of materials too, but the two most common are wood and metal. The average metal casket is made from stainless steel and the average wood from mahogany or oak. Most caskets are finished with soft interior linings to give the deceased a comfortable place to rest.
Although the kind of casket may depend on the location's traditions and as such are more often than not made from a single piece of wood for their design. Caskets come in different sizes, ranging from full to half-size caskets with prices varying accordingly ($1000-$5000+).
What is the main difference between funeral coffins and caskets?
- The materials they are made from. Coffins, which are usually only used for burial and sometimes cremation services, can be constructed of any durable wood or metal like steel, bronze, or copper while caskets must be wooden (including plywood).
- The shape. Caskets tend to have four sides that meet at right angles whereas coffins may have either six-sided skirts called "cascade" shapes or eight-sided tops are known as "jewel shapes." Caskets feature handles on the sides so people can easily carry them - coffins do not.
- The costs. Since the design of the coffin is much more tapered, the materials being used are also minimal compared to a casket. The price of a casket can range from an average of $800 to over $20,000 while the price for coffins can average at around $400 and is usually lower than the cost of a casket.
Aside from those 3 main points, there are other differences too like the handles and lining between coffins and caskets. Coffin handles are usually individual, decorative, or for attaching cords rather than to actually carry the coffin; whereas a casket is furnished with a bar handle running along its side that's used when carrying it. Coffin linings are often silk or satin with subtle colors while cushioned padding comes standard for many of today’s common styles of caskets - this may be due to how much more intricate they can be made without being burdened by weight restrictions like suitcases will have on flights as well as their use at funerals where mourners seek comfort from such an imposing piece.
The difference between coffin and casket outside the US
In most countries outside the United States, people use the term ‘coffin’ when they want to describe a ceremonial box that holds your loved one's body during funeral and burial. A casket, on the other hand, like in Ireland, is an ornate box that will be used to hold not just the deceased but is also common to use for storing something completely different like jewelry or documents.
Which one should you choose?
Both caskets and coffins are very valid choices when it comes to funeral service. However, the choice between the two is ultimately dependent on the family's or the person's final wishes. Since the other differences between caskets and coffins don’t matter that much even though they are very similar unless it comes down to price. Caskets are generally more expensive as they have more decoration and use more elaborate materials. But you just need to choose whatever is right for your loved one and your family.
Cage Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. is a
Chicago, IL funeral home and cremation service provider with the experience, compassion and expertise needed to offer you additional information on caskets, coffins and other funeral services to help you plan a service that will honor and remember your lost loved one.
Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.
