Caskets Northwest - Dignity, quality and value

The first thing we tell families is that all caskets do the same thing; they provide a vehicle to place a loved one in for a ceremony and an interment. The differences between caskets reflect the raw materials they are made from and the type of finish, hardware (handles), and interiors that are used.

Most caskets sold today in the U.S. are made from either steel or hardwood. Metal caskets are stamped from sheets of steel. Different thicknesses of steel used to stamp the caskets determine its gauge. The higher the gauge, the thinner the steel. A 20 gauge casket is thinner than an 18 gauge. Metal caskets are most commonly offered with a rubber gasket and locking mechanism which constitute it being a "sealer".

Wood caskets can be made out of a variety of soft and hard woods. Some cost more than metal caskets, some less, depending on the specie of wood, how it is finished, and the type of interior.

The material used for the hardware (handles) and interior all factor in to determine the cost of each casket.