Choosing a casket can be a stressful, emotional, and confusing task to embark on. It’s a big decision to honor a loved one’s memory; however, it’s not a purchase you often make, so most people do not have much experience doing so. A casket is a tribute to the life you’re celebrating and can be an expression of the personality and heart of a loved one.
While there are many factors to be considered in this process, Miami Monument Company is here to help by identifying what to keep in mind and helping you through every step of the way. Below are some of the most important things to think about during the process of choosing a casket.
Choosing Casket Material
Most caskets are made from either metal or wood. The most common material for metal caskets is steel, which some find preferable for its durability and variety of customizations. Others lean toward the more natural and elegant appearance of a wooden coffin.
Many different options are available for this material, such as oak, mahogany, or pine, so you can choose the finish that best fits what your loved one would have wanted.
Cost Can Influence Your Casket Choice
Most likely, one of the top considerations on your mind when buying a casket is the price. This can vary widely, from less than $2000 for the average casket to over $10,000 for the most premium models. When choosing your purchase, it’s easy to get swept up in the customizations and fancier materials, so you should certainly set a budget for yourself when planning for this part of the funeral service.
Additionally, recruiting a close friend or family member as a shopping companion can alleviate some of the stressfulness of the decision. These preparations will help you narrow down your options and make the best possible purchase for you and your loved one.
While the casket is one of the focal points of the service, you must keep in mind how much you have available to spend on it. For example, steel is usually less expensive for metal caskets, while bronze and copper are higher-priced. As for wooden coffins, materials such as pine and poplar are more affordable, while mahogany and cherry, for example, are on the more expensive end of the spectrum.
The option to rent a casket is also available, which can lower your cost considerably. Rentable caskets have a removable piece for multiple uses. You can rent them to complete your loved one’s funeral service before they are moved to a simpler container for the burial.
Casket Seller
Where you are buying your casket from is another factor to consider. Most funeral homes provide casket options, and Miami Monument Company provides refined steel and wood caskets available for purchase. This option is often the most convenient and can be done quickly, without any hassle. However, there are many providers for caskets, especially online. Different sellers can offer different customizations, materials, finishes, and pricing ranges.
Because of the Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission or FTC, funeral homes will accept the casket you want to buy, regardless of the seller, without charging you an extra fee (although delivery charges for caskets bought elsewhere are something to keep in mind). This arrangement allows you to make the ideal purchase for your loved one’s funeral service.
Casket Size and Features
The size of the casket is an important consideration that is often overlooked. Most caskets come in a standard size, but you need to make sure this fits your loved one well before buying. Infant and child caskets are also available, or you can have the casket custom-made if it’s within your budget.
Caskets are relatively simple by nature, but there are a range of customizations you can add on to personalize your loved one’s resting place. For example, you can change stylistic details such as the color, finish, inner materials, or you can even add symbols and words.
Virtually every detail can be shifted to your preference, including the lid, handles, corners, and shape. Half-couch lids, which show the deceased from the waist up during the ceremony, or full-couch lids, in which the lid is all one piece, are both options available for adjustment. Memory drawers are a popular add-on to honor your loved one’s most important memories or personal items.
Some of these can be sealed for maximum preservation of your loved one’s most precious items. But, of course, customization of the stock casket will raise the initial price, and you’ll have to spend more depending on how many features you want to add on.
Consider Time Frame When Choosing a Casket
While planning ahead can certainly reduce the stress of a rushed buying process, one of the most critical approaches to the casket-buying process is to take your time. Intense emotions such as grief can cloud logic when making a purchase, so it’s important not to be too hasty and end up with a buy that you’re dissatisfied with. Instead, taking a deep breath and assessing all your options with a shopping companion can make the task much easier.
Additionally, make sure to ask questions of your provider if you are concerned or confused about anything at all involved in the buying process. You should never feel uncomfortable or pressured when purchasing a casket, or like you are not getting the best value out of your transaction. Reputable providers will be understanding, compassionate, and dedicated to helping you carry out the best possible funeral service and burial for your loved one.
Professionals Can Make Choosing a Casket Easier
Planning a funeral is a stressful and emotional job as it is, and it becomes even more daunting if you’re going in unprepared. However, knowing your options ahead of time allows for a much smoother buying process. You shouldn’t have to waste time and energy worrying about your casket options.
Luckily, these tips will assist you in giving your loved one the service they deserve. This is why Miami Monument Company is dedicated to alleviating your burden in your time of need and helping you through the process. You can contact us at [email protected] or give us a call at (786) 391-3600 to get started on planning the best possible service.
