Choosing a casket or urn ahead of time
Few decisions are harder to make in a rush. Looking now, at your own pace and with Janie beside you, means the choice reflects you instead of someone's best guess.
What sets one apart from another
- Metal caskets come in steel of different thicknesses, stainless steel, copper and bronze, each with its own finish, lining and hardware.
- Wood caskets run from simple pine and poplar to oak, maple, cherry and mahogany.
- Urns are made of metal, wood, stone and ceramic, in full and keepsake sizes, and some are designed for a niche or an in-ground placement.
- Vaults and grave liners are sometimes required by the cemetery, so it is worth asking before you decide.
- Remembrance items such as the marker, the guest book, memorial cards and flowers round out the plan.
Your rights as a buyer
The federal Funeral Rule says the funeral home must show you price lists for caskets and outer burial containers before you look at them, and you may buy only what you choose. You are also free to buy a casket or urn somewhere else, and the funeral home has to accept it without charging a handling fee. Janie reviews the price lists with you line by line.
Look through the catalog
This catalog comes through Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary. Use it to get a sense of the styles you like before you talk with Janie; exact selections are confirmed at your meeting.
Opening the casket catalog…
When you've found a few favorites
Jot down the names and bring them to your call. The planning workbook has a page for exactly that. Or read everything that goes into a pre-plan.