Green cremation is a modern way to perform cremation—and it is gaining popularity. It is similar to traditional cremation, reducing human remains to ashes and bone fragments. The difference is, green cremation does not use a flame.
Read more to find out how the process works, environmental benefits, and why it might be the best method of disposition.
What is Green Cremation?
Green cremation is term that refers to an eco-friendly alternative method used to cremate a body. Also called water cremation, it is a flameless method that uses potassium hydroxide and water to reduce the body to bone fragments. The end result produces the same type of human ashes you get from traditional cremation.
The scientific term for a green cremation is alkaline hydrolysis. What happens during this process is essentially the same chemical process that occurs when a body decomposes after burial in a casket. The use of alkaline hydrolysis speeds the process of decomposition.
The natural decomposition of the human remains takes several years, while alkaline hydrolysis only takes about 4 to 16 hours.
The process of green cremation is also called bio-cremation, water cremation, aquamation, resomation, and flameless cremation.
How Water Cremation Works
The process of green cremation requires a special type of equipment and training. The machine that is used has a single chamber that is air and watertight. It can hold up to one hundred gallons (~378 liters) of liquid.
First, the intact body of the deceased will be placed in the chamber and sealed.
The chamber is then filled with an alkaline solution consisting of 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide. The exact amount of alkaline solution poured into the chamber depends on the sex, body mass index (bmi), and weight of the deceased.
To accelerate the rate of decomposition, the solution will be subjected to heat, pressure, and or agitation. This varies depending on the equipment used. In some equipment, the contents are heated up to 300-320 degrees Fahrenheit (149-160 degrees Celsius). The pressure is then elevated to prevent the solution from boiling.
This chemical process breaks down the body of the deceased. What’s left will be bone fragments and a sterile liquid. The solid bone fragments are reduced to pure white and are now called hydrolyzed remains or cremated remains.
The bone remains are allowed to dry so they can be pulverized. The end result is the same very similar to a traditional cremation with one exception. The remains from a green cremation will be 32% greater. Human “ashes” from both types of cremation are, more accurately, pulverized bone fragments.
There are approximately 32% more ashes yielded from a green cremation compared to traditional cremation.
Just like traditional cremated ashes, the bereaved family can dispose of the remains in any way they see fit. Remains can be stored, scattered, or buried. And there are countless ways to remember your loved one in a creative manner.
Benefits of Green Cremation
Green cremation is a new alternative to existing methods of body disposition. Water cremation is viewed as the most eco-friendly method for the final disposition of the body. The process is relatively more controlled and a gentler process.
The result is a smaller carbon footprint because it avoids consumption of significant amounts of fuel, wood, and embalming chemicals.
Additionally benefits:
The body is not embalmed
No casket is used
Environmentally Friendly
The main advantage of green cremation over traditional methods is that is easier on the environment. Less fuel is required and it avoids mercury emissions, which are byproducts of heat cremation. The total energy necessary to perform a green cremation is significantly less than incineration.
According to a study, alkaline hydrolysis uses 90% less energy and produces 27% less carbon output than incineration. Water cremation also reduces mercury emissions which are toxic and known to be a health concern.
The overall chemical process of green cremation leaves behind a sterile liquid that is non-toxic. It is comprised of peptides, amino acids, and sugar that can be disposed without harming the environment.
Cost-effective
The cost of a green cremation is about the same price as a traditional cremation. As compared with traditional burials, it shares the same price advantages as conventional cremation—they are both generally less expensive.
Remembering a loved one is a personal choice. Often, cost is not a priority at this time. But if cost is a factor, a green cremation can be a good solution. Additional costs associated with funeral services and burial may not be needed. And depending on final choices, you might avoid casket and burial plot expenses.
Other Benefits
In traditional cremation (incineration), medical attachments in the body such as pacemaker must be removed to avoid damage to the equipment. There is no need to remove medical implants for bio-cremation.
It is also found that green cremation yields whiter ashes compared to the method of incinerating body remains. Incineration sometimes changes the color of bones into gray or other darker shades.
Is Green Cremation Available in My State?
Green cremation, or specifically the process of alkaline hydrolysis, is currently legal in some states. According to NOLO, it has been legalized in 18 states (19 if including Michigan).
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Kansas
Maine
Maryland
Michigan*
Minnesota
Missouri
Nevada
North Carolina
Oregon
Utah
Vermont
Washington
Wyoming
*According to NOLO, alkaline hydrolysis is being practiced in Michigan, but there are no statutes or regulations that explicitly allow it. Though some Michigan-based funeral homes offer it in their materials, it is unclear whether the alkaline hydrolysis facilities they offer are in-state.
Alkaline hydrolysis was first legalized in the state of Minnesota in 2013.
Although green cremation is legal in 19 states, not all of these states have operating providers for alkaline hydrolysis. It can be challenging for supporters to use this eco-friendly option.
If you want a green cremation and it is not available in the state where you live, consider exploring options in neighboring states.
You may not have to travel. Your funeral home may be able to work directly with a facility in a neighboring state. The body will be transferred and the remains returned after the process. In most cases, it is easier to transfer the body and return the ashes so the cremation service can occur remotely.
We recommend researching solutions in advance since availability and charges differ between facilities.
FAQ
What is a green cremation?
Green cremation is an eco-friendly method of cremating the body of a loved one without flames. The scientific term for this process is alkaline hydrolysis. The chemical process that happens during a green cremation is essentially the same natural process that occurs to a body after it is buried. Green cremation accelerates the time a body takes to decompose from a few years to a few hours through a combination of alkalinity, temperature, and pressure.
How does green cremation work?
Green cremation is performed after any viewing or services. In the actual process of alkaline hydrolysis, the body is placed in a stainless steel container. A solution of 95% water and 5% alkali fill the chamber and it is then heated to start the breakdown of organic materials. At the end of the process, all organic material is broken down and only the bones remain. The bones are then pulverized and returned to the family as the ashes of the deceased. Traditional cremation ashes are pulverized bone fragments as well, so the end result is the same, but green cremation results in 32% more ashes.
How long does green cremation take?
Water cremation takes about 3 to 16 hours, depending on the body mass and weight of the deceased, as well as the operating temperature of the equipment.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Casket prices vary depending on many factors.Materials, construction, options, and source all play a part. The goal of this article is to help you understand how much a casket might cost and explain what you are investing in. We hope to make this process easier for you during this difficult time.
What you can expect from this article:
Average price of every type of casket
Free casket cost calculator tool
Best casket choice for a reasonable price (by type)
Options for all budgets
Where to buy caskets
Explanation of all the optional upgrades
A Heartfelt Sentiment
Buying a casket will likely be the largest expense of a funeral. Often the decision making occurs at a stressful moment with limited time to research and compare offers. Some basic information can help you purchase a casket with confidence. We aim to provide you with the information and understanding to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision. So let’s walk through the options.
Source: Casket Builders Supply
How Much Does A Casket Cost?
We compiled data on casket prices to calculate the national average. Casket prices can range from less than $500 to over $10,000, with a quality steel or wood casket at around $1,000 (from online sellers). However, some types can range much higher, such as bronze and copper caskets. Funeral homes charge much high markups than online retailers.
The chart is further broken down to show the difference between average funeral home casket costs as opposed to average casket prices from online retailers. Each source has its own advantages.
Having an understanding of national averages will empower you to know what to expect.
Technical Disclaimer: These prices are estimates based on extensive funeral home price sheet sampling and national averages. in-Valhalla does not make any claim whatsoever as to the validity of these prices, nor imply or guarantees caskets or coffins are available by any retailer at these prices.
How did we determine these casket prices?
Extensive sampling from casket listings from online websites and publicly available funeral home general price lists.
If you’d like to reuse this information, just provide attribution (link back to this page).
Casket Price Calculator
Use this tool to help estimate the expenses of different casket types and other burial options.
Consider the Purpose of a Casket
The casket is not designed to preserve the body of the deceased. Said a different way, no casket or coffin can preserve the body of the deceased forever.
“[The purpose of a casket] is to provide a dignified way to move the body before burial or cremation. No casket, regardless of its qualities or cost, will preserve a body forever.”
In fact, federal law prevents any casket manufacturer or funeral home from marketing caskets that will perfectly preserve a corpse. This is part of the Funeral Rule, a set of laws critical to the industry, and designed to protect the consumer.
All caskets, once buried, do exactly one of two things: they outlast the body or they decompose with the body.
Considering the purpose of a casket may help you determine what attributes are important to you and your family.
Pricing Guide
Caskets take many forms. Whether it is a simple vessel or a luxurious golden send off, the range of casket options available is vast and the range of prices is equally wide. For the average consumer, regardless of the final choice, the casket will be the most expensive part of the funeral service.
Where’s the Best Place to Buy a Casket?
Source plays an important role in overall casket price.
Funeral homes are not designed to hold large amounts of inventory because they provide many other services. For this reason, they are limited by overhead and offer a small selection of the actual caskets available. At the same time, they may be the easiest and most convenient option.
As the chart above would suggest, it is almost always more affordable to buy the casket from an online seller. We recommend Titan Casket (we’ll explain why down below).
While funeral homes offer convenience, digital businesses can afford to offer much lower prices. Why? Because they have a much lower overhead. They don’t have to run a funeral home. They specialize, so they almost always have a larger selection to choose from.
Shipping is the one concern (it can range from $300 to $600, per the FTC) but many e-commerce sellers have recently moved to offer free shipping.
Skip down to our section on casket sellers; we compare funeral homes, online websites, and big box sellers like Costco and Walmart.
Funeral homes are legally required to accept any casket, including those purchased from outside sources (including online websites). They cannot charge a fee for doing this.
What’s the Best Casket for a Reasonable Price?
Quick answer: balancing value with affordability that appeals to a broad range of tastes, we recommend a standard steel casket from Titan Casket.
We recommend them for many reasons, including reasonable prices, high-quality caskets made in the US, and helpful customer service. Oh, and did we mention free shipping? You can read our complete review here.
Different Types of Caskets and Price Points Available
In this section, we’ll go into more depth and present the most economical casket by type. For a more comprehensive look into the different kinds and some guidance on which to choose, read our guide to the different types of caskets.
If you’re interested in a particular color, so far we’ve covered red, white, and blue.
Bronze and Copper Caskets
While both bronze caskets and copper caskets are considered to be the highest quality of caskets available for purchase, some online retailers offer them at very competitive prices—often even lower than popular wooden or steel caskets offered by funeral homes.
The bronze Orion casket is my personal favorite. I think you’ll be surprised by the price.
Best Pine Box Caskets
Pine Caskets are a great choice for many reasons. They’re green, they can be cremated, and are available at a reasonable price. They are a simple choice—the choice of the minimalist.
While many families do not feel they are appropriate for viewings or funeral services, they can be great for an outdoor service or closed casket funeral. Pine box caskets are also extremely popular for green funerals.
This six-sided coffin is from The Old Pine Box, a New Mexico-based group dedicated to making handcrafted caskets. They work primarily in pine and cedar, and—though a small organization—their caskets are of remarkable quality.
One customer from Sioux city commissioned us to build him a simple, pine casket. Rope handles, no finish, no handles, no interior. Just a bare-bones box. He told me he wanted to make a statement: the casket is simply a vessel for another vessel that we’re done with. There’s no reason to get carried away.
Loren Schieuer, Woodworker and Cofifn-Maker
Though relatively new to the market, there are also more sophisticated pine boxes—half couch and absolutely suitable for a funeral service and viewing.
We like to emphasize the rental casket option because it is a great choice if you plan to cremate your loved one. And one you may not be aware of. Instead of paying for an expensive casket to be used for the cremation funeral service, you can rent a casket for the service and use a plain (and cheap) cremation container for the burial.
Most funeral homes offer rental casket options. Ask your funeral director. To get a detailed guide on how it works, read our comprehensive article on rental caskets. (Of course, it’s completely sanitary.)
Best Wicker Casket
Another option that is similar to a pine box casket is a wicker coffin. As a side note, caskets and coffins are actually two separate types of funerary box. While most products available are indeed caskets, wicker containers are more often called coffins because of their shape.
Anyway, wicker caskets are an affordable green option. And we believe that bamboo wicker coffins are the most renewable coffin or casket on the market! The only nationwide direct-to-consumer seller we could find the United States is Titan Casket (coincidentally, also our favorite casket seller).
If you’ve decided to have a wake or viewing (sometimes called visitation), you’ll need a casket in the traditional sense; a funerary box such as a steel or wood casket.
The alternative for a green funeral is to consider a burial shroud, pine box, or other decomposable method of burial.
Families can select any casket they like for the cremation process as long as it is rigid, leak-proof, combustible, non-toxic, and doesn’t feature any metal parts.
We’ve pulled the cheapest caskets from Titan Casket: the cheapest overall (a cloth covered casket) and the most affordable steel casket. Remember, the prices include shipping, so the price you see is the price you’ll pay plus sales tax. Nothing more.
Gauge: Thickness of steel. Caskets are available in 16, 18, 20, and 22 gauge. Most common are 18 and 20, the small number being thicker steel.
Gaskets: A gasketed casket is one with an airtight seal. Wooden caskets are not hermetically sealed; only steel, bronze, and copper. Gasket seals actually increase the decomposition speed of the enclosed body, but protect it from dirt, water, and other debris.
Veneer: A base layer (often plywood) covered with a thin layer of finer wood. Veneer is a cheaper alternative to solid hardwood that is virtually identical.
Buying Caskets Online
We recommend buying caskets online.
Price
Selection
Shipping Cost
Shipping Time
Despite the cost of shipping (many companies now offer free shipping, including Titan Casket), online casket prices are often less than half the price offered at funeral homes.
Common reasons not to buy a casket online are if they couldn’t ship to your location (Hawaii, Alaska) or your loved one was set on a particular casket or model.
Funeral homes offer convenience. If it makes sense to buy from a funeral home in your situation—by all means, do it!
Time is often a concern, but there are many great 24 or 48 hour delivery options.
The Funeral Law
The Funeral Rule, as it is called, is federal law that places a set of limitations and rules on funeral homes and funeral service providers. Concerning caskets, it states…
Funeral homes must accept any casket purchased anywhere (including online). They cannot charge a fee for accepting outside caskets or accepting deliveries of caskets.
Funeral homes must (offer to) provide you with a list of casket prices before you see their caskets in stock. The collective price list of all their products and services is called a General Price List (GPL).
To read more generally about the Funeral Rule, read the Federal Trade Commission’s detailed breakdown.
Ordering By Telephone
When ordering by telephone, peruse the catalogue first. You may find a physical price list, website, catalogue, or other medium. Get to know the price range and manage your expectations.
Play around with the calculator above to understand what costs more and what costs less. We can’t offer exact prices but hope the range will provide helpful insight.
Once you get on the phone, grab a pen and paper then ask these questions. (Bookmark/Favorite this page to get back to it later).
What’s your least expensive casket?
What’s your least expensive wood coffin?
What’s your most expensive wooden casket?
What’s your least expensive 18 gauge coffin?
What’s your least expensive 20 gauge casket?
What’s your most expensive 20 gauge casket?
These questions will give you a great impression of the range of prices available from this vendor. Additionally, when you price of the specific casket you’re interested in you’ll have hard numbers to compare.
Buying From Big Box Resellers
Big box retailers include companies like Walmart and Costco. Caskets are not a large part of their business—in fact, they’re almost nothing. That’s why we prefer to recommend online sellers that focus specifically on caskets. If you have questions, you can call and talk to an expert. Big box sellers don’t offer that kind of knowledge base.
If you prefer to buy from Amazon, some (but not all) online retailers list their caskets on the platform. You can explore their collection.
Still, they are a valid option for many individuals. Often their markup is higher than online sellers dedicated solely to caskets—but not by too much. We’ve mapped Costco’s casket shipping below.
Buying From Funeral Homes
We recommend buying caskets online and not at funeral homes because mortuaries and the like have such high overheads. They have to maintain the building, pay their employees, and buy caskets and other products before they resell them.
Caskets represent high margins for funeral homes. They are big ticket items—almost certainly the biggest single expense of the the funeral. So funeral homes are motivated to sell their most expensive caskets.
Special note: Please know that funeral home operators are professional, knowledgable, and sympathetic to the family and loved ones planning a service. As a matter of fact, they will be your best resource during this process.
What follows is a point of view simply meant to inform and prepare you for what you could experience.
Sales Tactics to be Aware Of
This video—by a life insurance company—illustrates the point that funeral homes are in business to make a profit. We don’t fault them for that and actually want them to thrive. But it is important for a consumers to be informed.
The Ugly Caskets
Yes, there are ugly caskets. In fact, if you’ve been to a funeral home you have probably seen those strangely-colored caskets and wondered who would want them. Who would build them?
The truth is, the manufacturers produce them because funeral homes—not consumers—want them. Some— not many—funeral homes use this tactic to offer cheaper, unappealing options to make more expensive caskets enticing. It’s a cynical viewpoint, but it’s our job to let you know it exists.
“You’ll Regret it Later”
Choosing a casket is a delicate time. One that most people want to avoid altogether or at least hurry up.
“You’ll regret it later” is a line you might hear that is meant to play on emotion.
“Doesn’t your loved one deserve a nicer casket?”
“You may regret it later.”
“You’ve been very frugal with your planning, but the casket is where you can honor your loved one.”
“Don’t burden the widowed with this decision.” (To the kids)
For more reading on personal examples, I find this article by Avenidas Funeral Chapel extremely interesting.
Summary
Funeral homes offer convenience and make purchasing a casket very easy. But there is a cost associated with this convenience.
These days online specialists can offer a wider variety of casket choices at more affordable prices – even considering shipping and logistics. Buying online is certainly an option worth considering.
In almost ever other regard, funeral homes and your funeral director are indispensable.
Terminology and Casket Specifications
Casket Parts
It’s fascinating just how complex casket’s have become, isn’t it? Compared to Egyptian sarcophagi—they have evolved. Read more about casket parts in our detailed article.
What’s the Standard Casket Size?
The standard casket size is 81 inches long, 28 inches wide, and 23 inches tall. These dimensions are the exterior sizes. Interior sizes are about half an inch smaller (27.5 inches wide, 23 inches tall, and 80.5 inches long).
A few other useful notes:
The maximum weight for standard caskets is 350 pounds.
If you have to measure a person, the maximum width is at the shoulders or the elbows.
Oversized Caskets
Very few people require oversized caskets. Normally the width is increased to 31 inches (78.74 centimeters). The length is often scaled to 84 inches (213.36 centimeters).
If you are suspect your loved one might need an oversized casket, read our guide to casket sizes and and then speak to your funeral director.
Some funeral directors may bend the knees of your loved one to fit them into the coffin. You won’t notice this in half couch caskets—and almost all caskets are—because the lower half of the lid is closed during the viewing, service, etc.
Also, casket manufacturers take some liberty with their sizing measurements. It really depends on the caskets you’re considering. For example, skim this sizing guide from Batesville Casket Company.
Warranty
Some metal caskets have a warranty, wooden caskets do not. The purpose of a casket warranty is as strange as it sounds. It is really a marketing ploy: something to buy that is worthless.
This is because every product comes with what is called an implied warranty. All coffins should be able to hold a body for burial. There is no reason for any extra warranty.
“An implied warranty is a legal term for the assurances—written or oral—that a product is fit for the purpose intended and is merchantable, i.e., conforms to an ordinary buyer’s expectations.” (Investopedia)
There have been some legal suits for caskets malfunctioning (breaking) during the funeral, but this is covered by the implied warranty. Decomposition post-burial is a natural part of the process, and unavoidable with any casket.
If you plan to buy a casket with a warranty, ask what it covers beforehand. Don’t buy one casket over another just because it has a warranty.
Additional Features
There are a few fascinating casket features we thought we’d point out: namely, memory tubes and half vs full couch caskets.
What is a Casket Memory Tube?
Memory tubes are like time capsules. They tell the story of the person in the casket in case the casket is unearthed or disentombed. Sometimes this is necessary after natural disasters.
They are little tubes (picture a small test tube) stored inside the casket but accessible without disturbing the corpse. Florida, Louisiana, and possibly other states have laws requiring external identification of the corpse.
The slip of paper is often 1.5 x 6 inches.
These laws developed because of the frequency that hurricanes were disturbing cemeteries. Officials attempting to return boxes to their graves often had to exhume and attempt to identify the remains—not always successful, and certainly not ideal.
Memory record tubes have become standard throughout the United States and world. You’d be hard-pressed to find one a casket without a memory tube. Still, it’s something to double-check.
There was even a patent filed for memory tubes in 1984, described as an ‘identification capsule.’
What are Half vs Full Couch Caskets?
The difference between a half couch casket and a full couch casket is the lid. A half-couch casket has a two-piece lid with only the head portion opened during the visitation or viewing services. A full couch casket has only one lid that exposes the complete body when opened.
An adjustable bed for a casket is a way to incline the platform that the body lies on. Normally this is simple padding or foam, but some of the most expensive caskets will include memory foam or a spring mattress.
This feature isn’t a necessity. But if it’s mentioned, now you know what it means.
Check out this patent filed by Batesville in 1950 (now expired). It’s quite the contraption!
What’s the Most Expensive Casket Ever?
Source: Affordable Casket Company
The most expensive casket is—no surprise—golden. The Promethean, offered by Batesville Casket Company, is a casket priced from $24,000 up to $40,000 USD.
Among the stars resting in this shining memorial are: Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, & James Brown. While not solid gold, it is 48 oz. bronze and gold-plated—and a sight to behold.
But a few custom-built caskets get even more expensive than the Promethean. Read our investigation into the most expensive custom caskets.
Industry Trends
Materials
Raw material determines overall cost, appearances, and function.
This data is from 2007; since then there has been a large movement toward wood and greener caskets, at pace with the green funeral movement.
“The producer price index (PPI), published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is a group of indices that calculates and represents the average movement in selling prices from domestic production over time.”
Think of it as the average price of production. It is notthe price from a consumer’s point of view (how much it costs in funeral homes). It’s not even wholesale price. It is the cost the manufacturer pays to create the product (casket).
These charts reveal how caskets have increasingly become more expensive to produce. Inflation contributes to the rising trend.
Producer Price Index by Industry: Burial Casket Manufacturing: Metal Burial Caskets and Coffins, Completely Lined and Trimmed, Adult Sizes Only
Producer Price Index by Industry: Burial Casket Manufacturing: Other Burial Caskets and Coffins, Including Burial Boxes and Vaults (Except Concrete and Stone)
Pine box caskets compete for the cheapest casket title with cloth-covered options. Pine caskets are about $800 and cloth covered caskets are about $700 on Titan Casket. Check the links for the most update to date pricing. However, your funeral home and local sellers may have cheaper options. In general pine and cloth-covered caskets are cheapest. (We are not considering burial shrouds. They are difficult to find online; if you’re interested, as your funeral director).
What is a memory tube in a casket?
A memory tube is a capsule that identifies the corpse inside the casket without anyone having to open the casket and exhume the body. It is often a vial that screws into the outside of the coffin.
How much does a memory tube cost?
Memory tubes are now standard and included by all major casket manufacturers, in large part because states such as Florida and Louisiana require them by law.
What is the standard size of a casket?
The standard casket size is 81-84 inches long, 28 inches wide, and 23 inches tall, which fits everyone under 6 foot 8 (technically 6 foot 5, but funeral directors can bend the knees so you don’t have to pay extra for an oversized casket).
Do I need an oversized casket?
Almost certainly not. It’s good to check the dimensions before you buy, but caskets 84 inches in length (extremely common) can fit individuals up to 6 foot 8 if you bend the knees of the corpse.
What’s the difference between 18 & 20 gauge caskets?
Gauge refers to the thickness of the steel used to make a casket. 18 and 20 gauge are the most common in casket making. The lower the number, the thicker and more expensive the casket.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Music is an essential part of every funeral. At a Catholic funeral, the music will be hymns, which are pieces of sacred music played at the Funeral Mass.
The music played at funerals offers support and consolation to the attendants. It may also uplift their spirits and give them hope as the hymns celebrate Christ’s victory over death and the deceased’s share in that victory.
Read more to find the most popular Catholic funeral hymns.
Catholic Funeral Hymns
The parish is responsible for the funeral liturgy, but the family of the deceased may also decide which funeral hymns to include for their loved one.
Having the option to decide the music allows you to consider the music that was important to your loved one.
Music can evoke strong feelings. Having enough time to plan for the selection of music will allow family and friends to actively participate in the Catholic celebration of the person who died.
The selected music must enhance the solemnity and dignity of the funeral liturgy. This is why everyone must be mindful of the selected music to be played in the church.
Where Hymns Fit in Catholic Funerals
Catholic funerals have a funeral Liturgy, or Mass. It is composed of four parts.
Introductory Rites
The Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Final Commendation
Hymns are performed during the Liturgy of the Eucharist (third part). The family is also responsible for choosing pieces of scripture (from both the Old Testament and the New Testament) during the Liturgy of the Word.
Types of Hymns Played
In a funeral liturgy, there are many opportunities for hymns to be played. The following hymns are be sung during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Opening Hymn
Responsorial Psalm
Offertory Hymn
Communion Hymn
Closing Hymn
The liturgy of the Eucharist is a part of the Funeral Liturgy where people unite their sorrow and love with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Family and friends are united with their loved ones in the closest way possible when they receive Holy Communion.
Sometimes, surviving families of the deceased request to play a popular secular song during the Funeral Mass. However, some songs will not be allowed by the parish. Be sure to consult with your priest.
The funeral hymns listed below are appropriate for Catholic funerals. After choosing, it is still recommended to consult first with the Church, your priest, or the choir leader.
Opening Hymn
The opening or the processional hymn is the gathering song played as people enter the Church.
It opens the celebration and accompanies the procession of the priest at the beginning of Mass. The opening hymn also fosters the unity of those who are gathered.
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!
The Lord has promised good to me, his word my hope secures; he will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.
The world shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun refuse to shine; But God, who called me here below, Shall be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
John Newton, 1779
Be Not Afraid
You shall cross the barren desert, But you shall not die of thirst. You shall wander far in safety, Though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands, And all will understand, You shall see the face of God and live.
Be not afraid, I go before you always, Come follow Me, And I shall give you rest.
If you pass through raging waters In the sea, you shall not drown. If you walk amidst the burning flames, You shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow’r of hell And death is at your side, Know that I am with you, through it all
Be not afraid, I go before you always, Come follow Me, And I shall give you rest.
Blessed are your poor, For the Kingdom shall be theirs. Blest are you that weep and mourn, For one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked men insult and hate you, all because of Me, Blessed, blessed are you!
Be not afraid, I go before you always, Come follow Me, And I shall give you rest.
I, the Lord of sea and sky I have heard my people cry All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save I who made the stars of night I will make their darkness bright Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night I will go, Lord If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart
I, the Lord of wind and flame I will tend the poor and lame I will set a feast for them My hand will save Finest bread I will provide ‘Til their hearts be satisfied I will give my life to them Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night I will go, Lord If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart I will hold Your people in my heart
Dan Schutte, 1981
On Eagle’s Wings
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord Who abide in His shadow for life Say to the Lord, “My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!”
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of His hand
The snare of the fowler will never capture you And famine will bring you no fear Under His wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of His hand
You need not fear the terror of the night Nor the arrow that flies by day Though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of His hand
For to His angels He’s given a command To guard you in all of your ways Upon their hands they will bear you up Lest you dash your foot against a stone
And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings Bear you on the breath of dawn Make you to shine like the sun And hold you in the palm of His hand
And hold you, hold you in the palm of His hand
Michael Joncas, 1979
Responsorial Psalm
The responsorial psalm fosters mediation on the word of God. It is preferred that the psalm be sung (instead of spoken) since the psalms were written as hymns for the people of Israel.
The Psalm is directly pulled from the scripture and a cantor will lead the responsorial psalm through song from the ambo (the pulpit). The congregation sings the response to the psalm.
Psalm 23 My shepherd is the Lord
Refrain:
My Shepherd is the Lord. Nothing indeed shall I want.
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. [Refrain]
He guides me along the right path, he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear You are there with Your crook and Your staff; with these You give me comfort. [Refrain]
You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. [Refrain]
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for ever and ever. [Refrain]
Arranged by: Joseph Gelineau
Psalm 23 Shepherd me, O God
Refrain:
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want, I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love, I walk by the quiet waters of peace. (R)
Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul, you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth, my spirit shall sing the music of your name. (R)
Though I should wander the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you are at my side, your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope. (R)
You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred, crowning me with love beyond my power to hold. (R)
Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore. (R)
Arranged by: Marty Haugen
Psalm 23 The Lord, is my shepherd
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want; he makes me down to lie in pastures green; he leadeth me the quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again, and me to walk doth make within the paths of righteousness, e’en for his own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through death’s dark vale, yet will I fear none ill, for thou art with me; and thy rod and staff me comfort still.
My table thou hast furnished in presence of my foes; my head thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me; and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be.
Various Arrangements
Psalm 25 To you, O Lord
Refrain:
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul, to you, I lift my soul.
Lord, make me know your ways, teach me your paths and keep me in the way of your truth, for you are God, my Savior.
For the Lord is good and righteous, revealing the way to those who wander, gently leading the poor and the humble.
To the ones who seek the Lord, who look to God’s word, who live God’s love, God will always be near, and will show them mercy.
Arranged by: Marty Haugen
Psalm 42 & 43 My soul is thirsting for the living God
Refrain (R):
My soul is thirsting for the Lord: when shall I see God face to face?
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (repeat phrases c and d) When shall I come and behold the face of God? (R)
My tears have been my food [both] day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?” (R)
These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, nd led them in procession to the house of God, (repeat phrases c and d) with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. (R)
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God. (R) 6.My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, [and] from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep at the thunder of Your cataracts; all Your waves and Your billows have gone over me. (R)
By day the Lord commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, (omit phrase c) a prayer to the God of my life. (R)
I say to God, my rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk about mournfully because the enemy oppresses me?” (R)
As with a deadly wound in my body, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me continually, “Where is your God?” (R)
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God. (R)
Arranged by: Joseph Gelineau
Offertory Hymn
The offertory hymn is played as the gifts are gathered. This hymn is optional, and its length must not excessively delay the action of the liturgy. A solo or choral piece is most appropriate for the offertory hymn.
Prayer of St. Francis
Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Make me a channel of your peace. Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, only light, And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand. To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, in giving of ourselves that we receive, and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Prayer of St. Francis By Dr. Martin Neary LVO, Michael Ward, and Sebastian Temple
Blest Are The Pure In Heart
Blest are the pure in heart, For they shall see our God; The secret of the Lord is theirs; Their soul is Christ’s abode.
The Lord, who left the heavens Our life and peace to bring, To dwell in lowliness with men Their pattern and their king.
Still to the lowly soul He doth Himself impart; And for His cradle and His throne Chooseth the pure in heart.
Lord, we Thy presence seek; May ours this blessing be; Give us a pure and lowly heart, A temple meet for Thee.
By John Keble, 1819
Eye Has Not Seen
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
When pain and sorrow weigh us down, be near to us, O Lord, forgive the weakness of our faith, and bear us up within your peaceful word.
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
Our lives are but a single breath, we flower and we fade, yet all our days are in your hands, so we return in love what love has made.
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
To those who see with eyes of faith, the Lord is ever near, reflected in the faces of all the poor and lowly of the world.
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
We sing a mystery from the past in halls where saints have trod, yet ever new the music rings to Jesus, Living Song of God.
Eye has not seen, ear has not heard what God has ready for those who love him; Spirit of love, come, give us the mind of Jesus, teach us the wisdom of God.
By Marty Haugen
How Great Thou Art
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made; I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Chorus: Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on a Cross, my burdens gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart. Then I shall bow, in humble adoration, And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art. Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee, How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
By Stuart K. Hine
Keep in Mind
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages. If we die with the Lord, we shall live with the Lord. If we endure with the Lord, we shall reign with the Lord.
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages. In him all our sorrow, in him all our joy. In him hope of glory, in him all our love.
Keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord, he is joy for all ages. In him our redemption, in him all our grace. In him our salvation, in him all our peace.
By Lucien Deiss
Shelter Me O God
Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings. You alone are my hope.
When my foes surround me, set me high above their reach. Hear me when I call your name.
Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings. You alone are my hope.
As a mother gathers her young beneath her care, Gather me into your arms.
Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings. You alone are my hope.
Though I walk in darkness, through the needle’s eye of death, You will never leave my side.
Shelter me, O God; hide me in the shadow of your wings. You alone are my hope.
By Bob Hurd
Communion Hymn
The communion hymn is played while the priest is receiving the Sacrament. The purpose of this hymn is to express the spiritual union of the people receiving the Holy Communion.
It is also meant to show the gladness of heart of the people gathered as they receive the Eucharist. The singing of the Communion hymn may be prolonged as needed.
I Am the Bread of Life
I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall not hunger; he who believes in me shall not thirst. No one can come to me unless the Father draw him.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world, and he who eats of this bread, he shall live for ever, he shall live for ever.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
Unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink of his blood, and drink of his blood, you shall not have life within you.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
I am the resurrection, I am the life. He who believes in me even if he die, he shall live for ever.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.
And I will raise him up, and I will raise him up, and I will raise him up on the last day.
By Suzanne Toolan
Eat This Bread
Eat this bread, drink this cup, come to me and never be hungry.
Eat this bread, drink this cup, trust in me and you will not thirst.
I am the bread of life, the true bread sent from the Father.
By Robert J. Batastini
Gift of Finest Wheat
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
As when the shepherd calls his sheep They know and heed his voice So when You call your family Lord We follow and rejoice.
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
With joyful lips we sing to You Our praise and gratitude That You should count us worthy Lord To share this heavenly food.
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
The mystery of Your presence Lord No mortal tongue can tell Whom all the world cannot contain Comes in our hearts to dwell.
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
You give Yourself to us o Lord Then selfless let us be To serve each other in Your name In truth and charity.
You satisfy the hungry heart With gift of finest wheat Come give to us O Saving Lord The bread of life to eat.
By Robert E. Kreutz
Like a Shepherd
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms, holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home. Say to the cities of Judah: Prepare the way of the Lord. Go to the mountain top, lift your voice; Jerusalem, here is your God.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms, holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home. I myself will shepherd them, for others have led them astray. The lost I will rescue and heal their wounds and pasture them, giving them rest.
Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms, holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home. Come unto me if you are heavily burdened, and take my yoke upon your shoulders, I will give you rest.
By Bob Dufford
Gather Us Together
Refrain: Lord, Jesus Christ, gather us together. Make us one bread, one body in your love.
Verse 1: Gather your people, who long to be one, one with you, O Lord, in truth and love.
Verse 2 We do proclaim you the Savior of the all, Lord of all the earth and sea and sky.
Verse 3: Forgive our failings, create us anew. Speak y our words of peace into our hearts.
Verse 4: Into your hands, Lord, we place all our cares, trusting in your love which never fails.
Verse 5: Within your temple your praises we sing. Glorious is your name o’er all the earth.
The closing hymn or the recessional hymn is meant to be a meaningful communal moment of gathering around the person who died before the attendants leave the church. There will be a procession of the casket out of the church, followed by the family and mourners.
Sing with All the Saints in Glory
Sing with all the saints in glory, Sing the resurrection song! Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, To the former days belong. All around the clouds are breaking, Soon the storms of time shall cease; In God’s likeness we awaken, Knowing everlasting peace.
O what glory, far exceeding All that eye has yet perceived! Holiest hearts, for ages pleading, Never that full joy conceived. God has promised, Christ prepares it, There on high our welcome waits. Ev’ry humble spirit shares it; Christ has passed the eternal gates.
Life eternal! heav’n rejoices: Jesus lives who once was dead. Shout with joy, O deathless voices! Child of God, lift up your head! Patriarchs from distant ages, Saints all longing for their heav’n, Prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages, All await the glory giv’n.
Life eternal! O what wonders Crowd on faith; what joy unknown, When, amid earth’s closing thunders, Saints shall stand before the throne! Oh, to enter that bright portal, See that glowing firmament, Know, with you, O God immortal, Jesus Christ whom you have sent!
By William J. Irons, 1873
Be Not Afraid
You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst. You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way. You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand. You shall see the face of God and live.
Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown. If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed. If you stand before the pow’r of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with you through it all.
Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs. Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh. And if wicked tongues insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you!
Be not afraid. I go before you always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
By Bob Dufford
City of God
Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep! A new day is dawning for all those who weep. The people in darkness have seen a great light. The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.
Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!
We are sons of the morning; we are daughters of day. The One who has loved us has brightened our way. The Lord of all kindness has called us to be a light for his people to set their hearts free.
Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!
God is light; in him there is no darkness. Let us walk in his light, his children, one and all. O comfort my people; make gentle your words. Proclaim to my city the day of her birth.
Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!
O city of gladness, now lift up your voice. Proclaim the good tidings that all may rejoice!
Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing! For the Lord, our light and our love, has turned the night into day!
By Dan Schutte
For All the Saints
For all the saints who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might; thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight; thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!
O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold, fight as the saints who nobly fought of old, and win with them the victor’s crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine, we feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia! Alleluia!
And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west; soon, soon to faithful warrior cometh rest; sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints triumphant rise in bright array; the King of glory passes on his way. Alleluia! Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia! Alleluia!
By William Walsham How, 1864
In Paradisum
Latin lyrics: In paradisum deducant te Angeli; In tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres, Et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus angelorum te suscipiat, Et cum Lazaro quondam paupere, Aeternam habeas requiem.
English translation: May the angels lead you into paradise; May the martyrs receive you at your arrival, And lead you to the holy city Jerusalem. May the choirs of angels receive you, And with Lazarus, once poor, May you have eternal rest.
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
Shout with gladness, dance for joy. O come before the Lord. And play for him on glad tambourines, and let your trumpet sound.
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
Rise, O children, from your sleep; your Saviour now has come. He has turned your sorrow to joy, and filled your soul with song.
Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.
Glad my soul for I have seen the glory of the Lord. The trumpet sounds; the dead shall be raised. I know my Saviour lives.
By Dan Schutte
FAQ
What is the Liturgy of the Eucharist?
It is the third part of the funeral Mass and considered the high point of the celebration. It is where people unite their sorrow and love with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Family and friends are united with their loved ones in the closest way possible when they receive Holy Communion.
How many hymns are played at a Catholic funeral?
About five hymns are sung in a Catholic funeral Mass and they are played during the liturgy of the Eucharist. There is the opening hymn, responsorial psalm, offertory hymn, communion hymn, and a closing hymn.
Is it allowed to play the favorite songs of the deceased during the funeral liturgy, even if the music is secular?
No. At a Catholic funeral, only sacred music with sacred words and sound can be used in the liturgy. The selected music should also reflect the character of a funeral, with the themes of heaven, resurrection, faith, hope, salvation, and love. The chosen music may have to be approved by the priest celebrating the funeral. Understandably, your loved one may have liked a certain song in his or her lifetime, but it may not be appropriate for the Mass and can be better played during the wake or other service.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
For some people, the word of God can help find peace and consolation.
Searching the old and new testament for inspiration is a daunting task. Here is a list of the most popular testament readings for funerals. Let it guide you to finding the perfect words for your loved one.
While reviewing the selections, listen to your heart, your family, and your faith. We offer our condolences, and hope you find comfort in this difficult time.
Note: The Catholic Church has formal structures regarding funeral liturgies. Not all denominations follow the same guidelines. For the purposes of this article we default to the Catholic methodology and recommend that you check with your officiant.
Old and New Testament Readings
Many Bible passages are moving and appropriate for a funeral liturgy. Choose from the Old Testament, the New Testament or a combination of both. The chosen passage may be read by a family member or a friend.
Did the deceased leave any instructions or have a favorite scripture passage? Friends and family members may also have suggestions and ideas. In any case, the priest (minister) can advise you and help make a final decision for scripture readings.
Catholic Testament Readings
In the Catholic Church funeral services follow a specific structure. This article will focus on Catholic funerals, but the testament selections can be used for any kind of funeral—even secular services—if you choose.
Time needed: 40 minutes
Roman Catholic funerals follow this structure. Specific selections from the Testament can be found below.
First Reading
The first reading is selected from the Old Testament. It is normally accompanied by a psalm. The family will choose someone to read the reading, and psalm if it will not be sung. The song, if sung, will be performed by the cantor and choir. The cantor may also lead the congregation in a response.
Second Reading
The second reading is selected from the New Testament. The family will choose someone to proclaim the selection.
Gospel
The Gospel reading is taken from the New Testament. The family may select this reading themselves or consult with the priest. The priest or deacon will proclaim the Gospel reading.
Non-biblical readings such as poems cannot take the place of scripture readings. Also, substituting readings from other sources aside from the scripture is not allowed.
Sample Reading
Here is a video of Jenna Bush Hager reading Revelation 21:1-25for her late grandfather George H.W. Bush’s funeral liturgy.
Below are some of the most popular Catholic readings for the funeral rites.
First Reading from the Old Testament
The first reading in Mass is usually taken from the Old Testament, except during the Easter season. More than any other readings, the first reading is always linked or related in some way to the Gospel.
Job 19:1. 23-27
A reading from the Book of Job
Job said: ‘Ah, would that these words of mine were written down, inscribed on some monument with iron chisel and engraving tool, cut into the rock for ever. This I know: that my Avenger lives, and he, the last, will take his stand on earth. After my awaking, he will set me close to him, and from my flesh I shall look on God. He whom I shall see will take my part: these eyes will gaze on him and find him not aloof.’
The Word of the Lord
Wisdom 3:1–9
A reading from the Book of Wisdom
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessings be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. When the time comes for his visitation they will shine out; as sparks run through the stubble, so will they. They shall judge nations, rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king for ever. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.
The Word of the Lord
Wisdom 3:1–6. 9 (shorter form)
A reading from the Book of Wisdom
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessing be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.
The Word of the Lord
Wisdom 4:7–15
A reading from the Book of Wisdom
The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no torment shall ever touch them. In the eyes of the unwise, they did appear to die, their going looked like a disaster, their leaving us, like annihilation; but they are in peace. If they experienced punishment as men see it, their hope was rich with immortality; slight was their affliction, great will their blessing be. God has put them to the test and proved them worthy to be with him; he has tested them like gold in a furnace, and accepted them as a holocaust. They who trust in him will understand the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love; for grace and mercy await those he has chosen.
The Word of the Lord
Isaiah 25:6–9
A reading from the prophet Isaiah
On this mountain, the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a banquet of rich food. On this mountain he will remove the mourning veil covering all peoples, and the shroud enwrapping all nations, he will destroy Death for ever. The Lord will wipe away the tears from every cheek; he will take away his people’s shame everywhere on earth, for the Lord has said so. That day, it will be said: See, this is our God in whom we hoped for salvation; the Lord is the one in whom we hoped. We exult and we rejoice that he has saved us.
The Word of the Lord
Lamentations 3:17–26
A reading from the Book of Lamentations
My soul is shut out from peace; I have forgotten happiness. And now I say, ‘My strength is gone, that hope which came from the Lord’. Brooding on my anguish and affliction is gall and wormwood. My spirit ponders it continually and sinks within me. This is what I shall tell my heart, and so recover hope: the favours of the Lord are not all past, his kindnesses are not exhausted; every morning they are renewed; great is his faithfulness. ‘My portion is the Lord’ says my soul ‘and so I will hope in him.’ The Lord is good to those who trust him, to the soul that searches for him. It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save.
The Word of the Lord
Daniel 12:1–3
A reading from the prophet Daniel
I, Daniel, was doing penance when I received this message from the Lord: ‘At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who mounts guard over your people. There is going to be a time of great distress, unparalleled since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, your own people will be spared, all those whose names are found written in the Book. Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting disgrace. The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all eternity.’
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2 Maccabees 12:43–45
A reading from the Second Book of Maccabees
Judas, the leader of the Jews, took a collection from the people individually, amounting to nearly two thousand drachmae, and sent it to Jerusalem to have a sacrifice for sin offered, an altogether fine and noble action, in which he took full account of the resurrection. For if he had not expected the fallen to rise again it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout. This was why he had this atonement sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin.
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First Reading from the New Testament (Easter Season)
During Easter Time, the first reading is usually taken from the New Testament—either the Acts of Apostles, which tells the early days of the Church, or the Book of Revelation, which provides a vision of heaven.
You can choose from the following New Testament readings for the first reading instead of an Old Testament reading.
Acts 10:34–43
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Peter addressed Cornelius and his household: ‘Te truth I have now come to realize,’ he said, ‘is that God does not have favorites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him. ‘It is true, God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ—but Jesus Christ is Lord of all men. You must have heard about the recent happenings in Judaea; about Jesus of Nazareth and how he began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil. Now I, and those with me, can witness to everything he did throughout the countryside of Judaea and in Jerusalem itself: and also to the fact that they killed him by hanging him on a tree, yet three days afterward God raised him to life and allowed him to be seen, not by the whole people but only by certain witnesses God had chosen beforehand. Now we are those witnesses —we have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection from the dead— and he has ordered us to proclaim this to his people and to tell them that God has appointed him to judge everyone alive or dead. It is to him that all the prophets bear this witness: that all who believe in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name.’
The Word of the Lord
Acts 10:34–36. 42–43
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Peter proceeded to address the people in these words: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Word of the Lord
Apocalypse 14:13
A reading from the Book of Apocalypse
I, John heard a voice from heaven say to me, ‘Write down: Happy are those who die in the Lord! Happy indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever after their work, since their good deeds go with them.’
The Word of the Lord
Apocalypse 20:11–21:1
A reading from the Book of Apocalypse
I, John, saw a great white throne and the One who was sitting on it. In his presence, earth and sky vanished, leaving no trace. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing in front of his throne, while the book of life was opened, and other books opened which were the record of what they had done in their lives, by which the dead were judged. The sea gave up all the dead who were in it: Death and Hades were emptied of the dead that were in them; and everyone was judged according to the way in which he had lived. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the burning lake. This burning lake is the second death; and anybody whose name could not be found written in the book of life was thrown into the burning lake. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea.
The Word of the Lord
Apocalypse 21:1–7
A reading from the Book of Apocalypse
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth was gone, and the sea is now no more. And I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people; and God himself with them shall be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more, for the former things are passed away. And he that sat on the throne, said: Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me: Write, for these words are most faithful and true. And he said to me: It is done. I am Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. To him that thirsteth, I will give of the fountain of the water of life, freely. He that shall overcome shall possess these things, and I will be his God; and he shall be my son.
The Word of the Lord
Second Reading from the New Testament
The second reading is taken from the letters in the New Testament. It follows a semi-continuous pattern, as it comes after the Responsorial Psalm in the funeral Mass. Because of this, the second reading is not always linked to the first reading or the Gospel.
Romans 5:5–11
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 5:17–21
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
For if, by the transgression of one person, death came to reign through that one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of justification come to reign in life through the one person Jesus Christ. In conclusion, just as through one transgression condemnation came upon all, so through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all. For just as through the disobedience of one person the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of one the many will be made righteous. The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 6:3–9
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 6:3–4. 8–9
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 8:14–23
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God; for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself would be set free from slavery to corruption and share in the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 8:31–35. 37–39
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ (Jesus) who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 14:7–12
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” So (then) each of us shall give an account of himself (to God).
The Word of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:20–28
A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet.” But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will (also) be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.
The Word of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:20–23
A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.
The Word of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:51–57
A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord
2 Corinthians 4:14–5:1
A reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Brothers and Sisters: Knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God. Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal. For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
The Word of the Lord
2 Corinthians 5:1. 6–10
A reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven. So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.
The Word of the Lord
Philippians 3:20–21
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
The Word of the Lord
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord
2 Timothy 2:8–13
A reading from the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
The Word of the Lord
1 John 3:14–16
A reading from the First Letter of John
We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him. The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
The Word of the Lord
Testament Readings for the Death of a Child
There are also passages from the Scripture that are appropriate for the burial of a child. You may select from the list below.
First Reading from the Old Testament
Isaiah 25:6–9
A reading from the prophet Isaiah
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
The Word of the Lord
Lamentations 3:17–26
A reading from the Book of Lamentations
My soul is shut out from peace; I have forgotten happiness. And now I say, My strength is gone that hope which came from the Lord. Brooding on my anguish and affliction is gall and wormwood. My spirit ponders it continually and sinks within me This is what I shall tell my heart, and so recover hope: the favours of the Lord are not all past, his kindnesses are not exhausted; every morning they are renewed; great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord says my soul and so I will hope in him. The Lord is good to those who trust him, to the soul that searches for him. It is good to wait in silence for the Lord to save.
The Word of the Lord
First Reading from the New Testament (Easter Season)
Instead of a passage from the Old Testament, the first reading during Easter Time is taken from the New Testament.
Apocalypse 7:9–10. 15–17
A reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from* our God, who is seated on the throne, and from the Lamb.” “For this reason they stand before God’s throne and worship him day and night in his temple. The One who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore, nor will the sun or any heat strike them. For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
The Word of the Lord
Apocalypse 21:1. 3–5
A reading from the Book of Revelation
I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”
The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
The Word of the Lord
Second Reading from the New Testament
Romans 6:3–4. 8–9
A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we to might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord
Romans 14:7–9
A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
The Word of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:20–23
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.
The Word of the Lord
Ephesians 1:3–5
A reading from the Letter to the Ephesians
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will.
The Word of the Lord
1 Thessalonians 4:13–14. 18
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord
FAQ
What is a funeral liturgy?
The funeral liturgy is the main celebration of the Christian community for the deceased. The liturgy is traditionally celebrated in the church, but it can also be held at a crematorium or funeral chapel. There are two forms possible for a liturgy: a funeral Mass or a funeral liturgy outside Mass.
Can I pick other scripture readings aside from the ones given here?
Yes. You can pick another reading but remember that you should confirm with your priest or officiant to make sure it is an appropriate selection.
Can I replace the scripture reading with a funeral poem?
Following the formal (Catholic) structure, non-biblical readings may not take the place of scripture readings. However, you can use your poems or other readings at another point in the liturgy, have it printed in the service booklet, or read it at the reception.
Is the first reading always taken from the Old Testament?
No. Although the first reading is generally taken from the Old Testament for most of the year, this is not always the case. During Easter Time, the first reading is taken from the New Testament, particularly the Acts of Apostles or the Book of Revelation.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
There are a wide range of casket styles to choose from. One of the first decisions is whether you want a half couch or a full couch casket. Most people choose half-couch without knowing the difference, but full couch caskets are available in most models.
In this article, you will find out the main differences between a half couch and a full couch casket. This will help you decide what the better option is for your loved one.
Note: You might see that the words “casket” and “coffin” are used interchangeably. Although many people think they are synonyms, they actually differ from each other.
Half Couch or Full Couch Casket? How to Choose?
The difference between a half couch casket and a full couch casket is the lid. A half-couch casket has a two-piece lid with only the head portion opened during the visitation or viewing services. A full couch casket has only one lid that exposes the full body when opened.
Half Couch Casket
Full Couch Casket
Casket split in two sections – allows for only the head section to open
Casket opens fully from head to toe
Lid is divided into two pieces
Lid is one piece only
More common type
Less popular but still traditional in some areas
Allows mourners to focus on the face of the deceased during visitation
The whole body is presentable and visible during the viewing
More common today
Gained prominence during latter half of the 20th century
Choosing between a split couch and a full couch casket mainly depends on how you want to present the deceased during viewings and visitations.
Reasons you might choose a half-couch casket:
You prefer your loved one to be displayed from the waist up only.
Because of popularity there is a wider variety to choose from.
You are concerned about delivery time.
On the other hand, you might choose a full couch casket if:
You want your loved one to be presentable from head to foot.
Your choice is only available as full couch.
It is the traditional option in your location.
Difference Between Half Couch Casket and Full Couch Casket
Here are some details about the key differences between the two types of caskets.
Half Couch Casket
A half-couch casket has a closed foot end while the top portion is open. Contrary to popular belief, the division of the top and bottom portion of a half-couch casket is actually not equally divided. The separation of the lid is not exactly at the center, so the foot portion is longer than the head portion. In the casket pictured above, it’s about a 2/3 foot and 1/3 head.
A half-couch casket is a good option if you think the standard sized casket may be too short for the deceased. It can be expensive to get a longer casket, so funeral directors often bend the knees or adjust the feet to make the body fit. Read our guide if you are considering an oversized casket.
In some caskets, the interior of the bottom end are sometimes unfinished. Because it will not be seen during open casket viewings, some manufacturers do not put that much cloth and design in the bottom portion. (this can reduce cost)
However, for higher-end caskets such as those made of copper and bronze, you can expect that the full interior will be finished whether or not the bottom half is going to be visible during an open-casket viewing.
Full Couch Casket
A full couch casket opens with the lid in one piece. Since there is no separation, the whole body of the deceased will be visible during open-casket viewing. These are also commonly used in closed casket funerals since there is no need to open the lid.
In a full couch casket, the whole body is visible and will require more attention. They will need to be styled from top to bottom, including socks and shoes. Funeral directors must make sure that all the details of presentation are taken care of (e.g. feet pointed in the right direction).
Kari Northey, a licensed funeral director (no affiliation) explains the difference between a half couch and a full couch casket in a 2-minute video.
Why Is There a Difference?
While there is no exact explanation why there are two styles of casket, it is assumed that the half couch was introduced as viewing and open caskets became more popular. Some factors affect cultural preferences are location, viewing traditions, and the time period.
Location
The preference for half couch and full couch caskets tends to be regional. For instance, full couch caskets are more commonly used on the East Coast and in the South (United States). On the other hand, half couch caskets are more prominent on the West Coast.
A coffin can be considered a full couch since the opening and closing of the lid would reveal the full body of the deceased. For this reason, a full couch is still popular in some parts of the UK.
Half Couch Caskets Focus on the Face
When we interact with a person, we normally focus on the upper portion of their body particularly their face, hand, and arm gestures. In contrast, we rarely put attention on the legs or the feet.
It’s the same in the way at funerals, people are more interested in the person’s face because it is what they are most familiar with.
Viewings and visitations allow families to have a final look at the deceased. We all have different reactions. It could be comforting to say goodbye. Or it may help with acceptance, achieve closure, or even begin the healing process.
Viewing – How to Dress the Body?
Split-couch caskets help save time in preparing the deceased. Many families skip shoes altogether because they would not be seen anyway.
More than any other clothing, it can also be challenging to get shoes on a body especially if it has been embalmed. Sometimes the feet swell, or they have become too stiff.
This requires more time and effort from funeral directors to prepare the body and to ensure that all details are presentable for viewing.
Preferences Change Through Time
Many people believe that the traditions of choosing between a full couch and half couch caskets have been influenced by the rise of funeral parlors. Particularly the popularity of viewing and visitation services.
Full couch caskets were more popular in the latter half of the 20th century in the USA. People just used a blanket to cover the body up to their waist. Today, split-couch caskets are more popular.
However, according to Kari Northey, full and half-couch caskets have always existed. There is no exact reason why these two types of caskets exist but the tradition of using a half couch or full couch casket is simply influenced by changes in time and preferences.
Flower Options for Half Couch and Full Couch Caskets
There are many options for funeral designs and flowers that you can place over a casket. The construction of these casket decorations depends whether the casket is full couch or half couch.
Casket Sprays
Lavender Tribute Casket Spray from Teleflora
A casket spray is designed to cover the top portion of the casket. There are two basic types of casket sprays:
Half Couch Spray – Also called a foot spray. These are placed on the lower portion of the casket to accommodate open viewing
Full Couch Spray – Also called a lid spray. These are larger casket sprays placed in the middle of a full couch casket. Most suitable for closed casket ceremonies.
A casket blanket is a design of flowers constructed on a piece of fabric (such as burlap) that is designed to drape over the top of the casket.
Full Couch – For a full couch casket, the casket blanket covers the entire upper portion of the casket and may even extend towards the floor.
Half Couch – Although it is more common for closed caskets, a casket blanket may also be designed to cover only the bottom portion of a half-open casket.
Flag-draped Casket of Former President Ronald Reagan
There are different ways to drape a flag on a casket, depending on whether it is a half couch or full couch.
Half Couch (Open) – For a half-couch casket, the flag must be placed in three layers to cover the closed portion of the casket. The blue field will be the top layer next to the open portion of the casket on the deceased’s left.
Full Couch (Open) – For a full couch casket, the flag must be folded into a triangle and placed at the middle of the casket lid just above the left shoulder of the deceased.
Closed Casket – The flag must be centered on the casket so that the blue field is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased.
Floral Garland
Source: Phillip’s 1-800-Florals
Floral garland are flowers that are displayed over the hinge of an open casket. It is usually constructed by binding the foliage and blossoms together by wiring, taping, or gluing the materials in a loose rope-like design.
Half Couch – The floral garland is designed to fit only the open lid of the casket.
Full Couch – The floral garland is designed to extend towards each end of a fully open casket.
Casket Scarf
Source: Blossoms Birmingham
A casket scarf is a floral arrangement that is draped over a small portion of the casket, either lengthwise from head to foot or draped over from front to back. Similar to a casket blanket, it is usually placed in fabric but it is smaller.
Half Couch – The casket scarf is draped over the closed portion of the open casket.
Full Couch – The casket scarf covers the full length of the closed casket.
What is the difference between a full couch casket and a half-couch casket?
A half-couch casket has a two-piece lid where the bottom portion remains closed during open casket viewings. In this type of casket, you will only see the deceased from the wait up. On the other hand, a full couch casket opens while the lid remains in one piece. In this case, the whole body of the deceased is going to be visible in an open casket viewing.
Do they function differently?
Full couch caskets and half-couch caskets function the same. They are virtually identical in appearance and they function the same way. The only difference between the two is the lid, the top of a half-couch casket is two pieces while the lid of a full couch casket opens as one.
Is a half couch casket or full couch casket more common?
Half couch caskets are more commonly used than full couch caskets. Because of this, half couch caskets are easier to find among casket sellers. However, many casket companies offer a casket in either variety.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Headstone Cleaners: Complete Guide to D/2 and Monument Cleaning
Introduction
Over time, a headstone may weather and accumulate stains. While some feel this adds to the charm of the gravestone, many people would prefer its pristine condition.
The good news is that you don’t have to hire professional cleaners or replace the headstone. You can do this yourself using some materials that are accessible and easy to buy.
The article offers an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide the headstone cleaning process.
What Is the Beast Headstone Cleaner?
There are many ways to clean a headstone, Power washers, elbow grease, and general cleaners will all work. But the best solution (especially for biological stains), is with D/2 Biological Solution. This solution can clean stains that sit deep beneath the surface of the stone.
A similar but more readily available alternative is the Wet and Forget Moss Mold Mildew & Algae Stain Remover. While D/2 is more commonly used for headstones, Wet and Forget is a general-purpose outdoor lichen/algae remover that is available on Amazon. You have to find D/2 at local stores.
Families want to preserve the beauty and dignity of the headstone as much as possible, so they try to keep it clean. But they any find that water and scrubbing are not enough to bring back the pristine condition of the headstone.
The quickest way to do so is with a D/2 biological solution that is powerful in removing stains. You may see quick results even after a short contact time.
The appearance will continually improve days after you clean the stone. After just a few applications of this cleaning solution, your headstone can look new again.
This product has been trusted for years since it was introduced in 1995. Many customers, whether professional or not, have relied on the fast results of this solution.
What is D/2 Biological Solution?
D/2 biological solution is a non-acidic, non-abrasive, and biodegradable cleaner designed specifically for removing biological stains from stone surfaces. Unlike household cleaning products that use harsh chemicals, D/2 uses enzymes to break down organic matter like mold, mildew, lichen, and algae.
This enzyme-based approach means the solution can clean deeply without the aggressive acids or bleaches found in general-purpose cleaners. The result is effective stain removal without risk of etching or damaging delicate stone.
D/2 Biological Solution For Cleaning Headstones
As stated, this product is highly recommended in cleaning headstones and monuments. Many professionals also use this solution because it is proven to effectively clean tombstones made from various materials.
“It is effective on marble, granite, limestone, brownstone, travertine, masonry, terra cotta, concrete, stucco, wood, and other architectural surfaces including monuments, sculpture, and headstones.”
There are few disadvantages to using D/2. It is safe to use. You do not have to prepare any special handling or protection in using the solution. And it will not damage plantings that surround the grave.
The solution only needs 10 to 15 minutes contact time, making it a fast-acting product with impressive results. After that, you can simply scrub the headstone with a soft nylon or natural bristle brush to clean the entire surface.
D2 has the power to remove stains brought by mold, algae, mildew, lichens, and air pollutants that cannot be countered by general cleaning with water. This solution does not contain any acid, salt, or bleach. With a pH level of 9.5, this solution also does not etch metals or glass.
Safety
As taken from the D/2 data sheet, here is some information about safety and benefits:
Fast acting: 10 to 15 minutes contact time for great results.
Biodegradable
Contains no acids, salts, or chlorine
pH neutral
Will not etch metals or glass
Safer to use around plantings
Is not a hazardous material and requires no special handling or protection
Use full strength, no in-field mixing required
Shelf life of 5 years
“D/2 Biological Solution is non-mutagenic, and contains no carcinogenic compounds as defined by NTP, IARC, or OSHA. It is considered essentially non-toxic by swallowing, as it has an oral LD50 of 2.0 g/kg of body weight. No special ventilation is required during use.”
Best Headstone Cleaner – Backed By Research
In a study conducted by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) in 2011, the D/2 biological solution is found to be the best performing cleaner for headstones among other products evaluated.
The NCA looked for effective ways to maintain headstones because of the rising costs of maintenance at national cemeteries. Many headstones are not readable anymore due to deterioration and weathering.
To find the best way to address this problem, the NCA conducted a research study to evaluate the cleaning methods for headstones. They wanted to find the best way to clean tombstones while minimizing the need to repeat the process.
They also wanted to ensure that headstones would not be damaged by cleaning and maintenance.
Out of 30 products, the NCA narrowed the list down to five commercially available cleaners that were being used by national and historic cemeteries.
Based on three phases of the study, they found out that the D/2 Biological Solution is the best among the five cleaners evaluated. They findings were based on:
Cost-effectiveness
Environmental safety
Ability to clean stones and inhibit biological regrowth
Ease of use
Potential to lower stone damage
D/2 biological solution was highly effective in removing bacterial growth. It was also effective in inhibiting the regrowth of organisms on the headstone.
Because of these findings, the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) developed a best practice recommendation in cleaning government-issued headstones.
The NCPTT recommends using cleaners similar to D/2 in cleaning marble headstones. The biological solution is found to be effective in getting rid of biological growth and soiling in the headstone. This cleaner also does not harm the stone, as long as proper dilution ratios and dwell rates are used.
What is soiling? Soiling agents accumulate on the headstone and change its appearance and cause damage. Soiling agents include dirt, air pollution, biological organisms, bird droppings, and plant or tree sap.
How To Clean a Headstone or Monument
Buy Wet and Forget Headstone Cleaner
Step-by-Step Process for Cleaning a Headstone
Follow these steps using the D/2 biological solution for cleaning your headstone:
Pre-wet the headstone
Before applying the cleaner, you must first soak the headstone liberally with water. Stone is porous so it will easily absorb the cleaner. By soaking it first, the cleaner will not penetrate the headstone and just remain on the surface.
This will minimize some potential effects of the cleaner such as crystallization of salt in the stone. It also makes it easier to rinse the cleaner from the surface of the headstone.
Apply the cleaner
Apply D/2 evenly on the surface using a brush, roller, or sprayer and let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes. Make sure that you do not let the cleaner dry on the headstone.
Also, always see to it that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendation, especially the dilution ratio and dwell time. If you change these instructions, the effectiveness of the cleaning method may be affected. Just apply the cleaner evenly on the surface.
Scrub the surface
After waiting for 10 to 15 minutes, gently scrub the surface of the headstone using a soft bristle brush. Do this in a circular motion.
It is best to work in a small area, starting from the bottom then moving up. The work of scrubbing will loosen soiling from the surface of the stone.
Rinse the headstone
The last step is rinsing. Remember to rinse each area thoroughly after cleaning and make sure that no cleaner is left behind.
Even if the staining has not been removed after cleaning with D/2, you may see better results after several days. Over time the solution is working its way into the pores to kill biological growth that had grown inside the headstone.
If you see that the stone has changed its color in a certain area, do not worry. This is how D/2 works. The headstone will return to its normal color after a few days.
Important Reminders
Test the cleaner first
It is best practice test your cleaner first. If you’re using D/2, you can skip this step; it’s reliable. Do the test using the recommended procedure on a small, less-visible section of the headstone.
After application, let the area you have tested to dry thoroughly so you can inspect it after some time. When using some biocidal cleaners, it may take days before you can see the full cleaning effect.
Follow directions as specified by the manufacturer
When using a solution, the two most important features for you to know are the dilution ratio and dwell time.
Dilution Ratio
D/2 does not require dilution. However, other headstone cleaners have certain dilution ratios depending on the type of stone, etc. Add a small amount of solution to water so you can meet the required ratio. If you do not follow the prescribed ratio, too much may increase the risk of damage to your headstone and too little may prevent it from having any affect at all.
Dwell Time
Dwell time, on the other hand, is the amount of time that the cleaner is left on the surface of the stone before you can scrub and rinse it. The dwell time recommended for D/2 is 10 to 15 minutes.
For headstones with deep-seated biological staining that cannot be cleaned by water and scrubbing alone, it is best to use a biological solution to counter the issue. Powerful cleaners such as D/2 can do the job.
What is the best cleaner for headstones?
The best cleaner for headstones is the D/2 biological solution because of its power to deeply clean stains. In addition to effectively cleaning headstones without causing any damaging effects, it is also effective in removing bacterial growth. After a headstone is cleaned with D/2 cleaner, it will take a long time for bacteria to regrow.
Where can I buy a D/2 headstone cleaner?
You may purchase D/2 biological solution from authorized online retailers. Because D/2 is a premium product, is not available on big-box store shelves. You may visit their website to check their distributors.
What is soiling in headstones?
Soiling is the accumulation in a headstone that changes its appearance and cause damage. Soiling agents include dirt, air pollution, biological organisms, bird droppings, and plant or tree sap.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Writing can be intimidating. And words may be especially hard to find in times of grief.
But writing an obituary can be a comforting and cathartic process.
It will give you the chance to reflect on a loved one’s life and sharing their story is one of the best ways to honor their memory.
This article is a step-by-step guide to craft words of remembrance that will capture the essence of your lost loved one. If you don’t know where to start, let the obituary examples act as your guide.
What Information Should Be Included in An Obituary?
An obituary contains important details about the death of a person. It is meant to serve as an announcement and a short biography of your loved one.
You’ll start with the basic facts surrounding death.
Then, the obituary can tell the story and timeline of the person’s life. To capture the essence of your loved one, it helps to add details such as their passion, hobbies, and other characteristics that made them unique as a person.
There are two types of announcement of death: a death notice and an obituary.
A death notice is brief and only announces the death and details for the memorial service and other arrangements. An obituary is longer and more detailed, containing the story of a person’s life and biographical information.
How and what you write will depend on where you plan on publishing the obit.
Obituaries that are published in newspapers, are usually short because of space restrictions. Here is what to include in an obituary for a local paper:
Name of the person who died
Date of birth and birthplace
Date and place of death
Place where the person resided
Surviving family
Date, time, and place of the memorial or funeral service
Date, time, and place of the burial service
Charity information where memorial contributions can be made in lieu of flowers
Photo
If you wish to write a longer obituary, you can add more details in addition to the list above. More detailed obituaries are suitable when posted in the online edition of a newspaper, a website, a funeral home, or anywhere else.
Here are more details to include:
Cause of death
Education
Religious Affiliations
Professional memberships
Participation in local or national organizations
Military service
Occupation and employment history
Accomplishments, achievements, awards
Publications
Hobbies or activities
Acts of humanitarianism
What Are the Goals of Writing an Obituary?
The main goal of an obituary is to announce the death of a person.
Most importantly, you want to present the information accurately and completely. It is also good to make the obituary compelling so that the readers get a sense of the deceased even if they don’t know them personally.
Here are some things to keep in mind while writing the obituary:
Accuracy
It is important to get the information as accurate as possible. Check with friends and family for accurate facts. Common mistakes include omitting important details, getting dates wrong, and misspelling names and places.
We recommend having it proofread by a family member. Having another set of eyes can help with spelling and other errors that you might miss, as well as in making sure that everyone has been included.
Make It Joyful
An obituary does not have to focus on sorrow and grief.
Sometimes the author of an obituary is consumed by sadness and loss. In this case, it may help to collaborate. This way there will be more than one perspective.
Circumstances and the personality of the deceased will also contribute to what is most appropriate.
Maybe the best way to remember your loved one is to celebrate their life and the way they lived.
Where to Publish An Obituary
Most commonly, individuals will submit an obituary to the local newspaper. They will publish it online, in print, or both.
Use this resource from Legacy.com to search 900+ local newspapers.
How To Write an Obituary
After following the steps in this guide, you can browse through the obituary examples below for inspiration.
Here are the steps to follow:
Understand the guidelines
Research and list the important facts
Start by announcing the death
List the surviving family
Add other important details
Tell the life story of the deceased
Provide details for the service and other arrangements
Conclude with the address to send flowers or memorial contributions
After the template we provide more details for each of the steps above—reference them if you get stuck.
Obituary Template
No template obituary will fit the complex, beautiful person who you will honor. Use this to get started, but don’t let this guide constrain you. Tell the story of your loved on.
Obituaries are written for individuals; we include the pronoun “they” singular for those who identify as non-binary.
Announcement of Passing (Paragraph 1)
[Full Name] died passed away on [Date] at the age of [Age] in [Location].
Survived By (P1)
[First Name] is survived by his/her/their parents, [Full Names]; spouse, [Name]; children, [Names]; siblings [Names]; [Other Close Relatives].
Birthday (P2)
[First and Last Name] was born on [birthday] in [City, Region/State] to [Parents, Full Names].
Education (P2)
[He/She/They] graduated from {optional [High school] in [year] and} [College] in [year] with a degree in [Area of Study]. [First Name] went on to earn a [Further Degree] in [Area of Study] in [Year].
Marriage (P2)
[He/She/They] met [Spouse] in [Year] and they married in [Year].
Employment, Interests, and Family (P3)
{Name} was an excellent [Skill Or Talent] and often [Example]. [He/She/They] was a [Adjective], a [Noun with Adjective; true friend, generous mentor] who loved [Area of Interest] and who was passionate about [Hobby, Passion, or Interest; opportunity for some humor]. [He/She/They] was an active and dedicated member of the [Church, Community Group, or Organization] and often volunteered for [Non-Profit].
Funeral (P4)
A funeral is scheduled for [Time and Date] at [Address], with a reception to follow at [Address]. All are welcome to attend and celebrate [Full Name]’s life.
Flowers or Donations (P4)
Please send flowers to [Funeral Home or Residence of Family] at [Address].
OR
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to [Charity, Hospital, Organization, or Other Memorial Contribution] at [Address].
Condolences (P4)
Condolences can be sent to [Link, Funeral Home, or Residence of Family].
Obituary-Writing Guidelines
1. Understand the Guidelines
Before writing the obituary, a good place to start is to contact the newspaper or point of publication where you want to have it posted. This information is normally displayed on their website, but don’t be afraid to call or email them for more information.
By doing this, you make sure of the requirements such as word count, format, and other limitations. It’s also a good time to check cost.
If you don’t know where you plan to publish the obituary yet, use this search tool.
2. Research and List the Important Facts
List the important facts about the death. You can use the checklist provided above to compile information from friends and family.
As you start to gather details the obituary will start to take shape. At this point you can see what information is missing and reach out to people for help.
3. Start by Announcing The Death
Start the obituary by including the full name of the deceased, date of death, and where they died. You may also include the age and cause of death.
These details are usually read in the first few sentences of an obituary.
4. Other Key Details
After the first sentence announcing their death, you can now add the date of birth and birthplace of the deceased. Include the names of the parents as well.
These are the facts so double-check names, dates, locations, and spellings.
5. Tell the Life Story of The Deceased
This will be the longest part of the obituary.
One way to structure the obit is to present a chronological account of their life.
You may Include childhood, education, career, and retirement. Add in relationship details including marriage and children.
You may also highlight any special accomplishments and/or achievements.
Overall, try to capture the essence of your love one. What meant the most to them? How did they spend their time? What defined their life? What is it about their personality that you will miss?
Answering these questions will convey the unique traits and characteristics of your lost soul.
6. List the Surviving Family
The surviving family may be listed directly after death information or after the life story.(personal choice). Usually start with next of kin and proceed chronologically.
The list is not exclusive to family members only. It can also include closest friends, relatives, caregivers, and even pets.
7. Provide Details For the Service and Other Arrangements
Obituaries are typically published before the memorial, funeral, and burial services. This notice will help provide needed information for mourners and guests who want to pay their respects.
The information regarding services should be clear and easy to understand. Make sure to indicate whether the service is private or open to the public.
8. Memorial Contributions
Many families choose to request memorial contributions or donations in lieu of flowers.
If you request donations, make sure to provide the name of the charity, as well as the address and website where mourners can send their donations.
If the foundation or charity was important or closely related to the deceased it might inspire people to know.
Examples of Obituary
An obituary may be written in a traditional style or in a unique manner. A traditional style is usually “matter of fact” and follows the obituary template given above.
Sometimes, it is more appropriate to incorporate humor or a unique point of view. For example, this is my favorite obituary.
For inspiration and ideas, see the examples below.
Traditional Obituary Sample
Here is a sample obituary from ObituariesHelp.org written in a traditional style:
Northborough — John Ross Milton, 86, died Sunday, June 8, 2008 at the Overlook Masonic Health Center in Charlton following a brief illness.
He leaves his wife of 65 years, Shannon (Jacobs) Milton; his son, Robert Milton and his companion, Sadie Strong; his daughter, Pamela Milton; his cousin, Raymond Milton; two grandchildren; and many close friends.
Born and raised in Worcester, the son of Carl and Helene Pauline (Preston) Milton, he was a lifelong resident of Northborough.
In his early years, Mr. Milton would help sell milk for the family’s business, Milton Milk. After graduating from North High School in 1941, he attended Clark University, graduating in 1945 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. He met his wife, Shannon Jacobs, at church and they were married in 1944 at Wesley United Methodist Church. In 1945, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard, where he was a Seaman, First Class.
After serving with the Coast Guard, Mr. Milton had the opportunity to join the Traveler’s Insurance Company in Worcester. In 1948, he started the John Ross Insurance Agency, a partner of Insurance Services of Worcester. He not only took pride in his business, but truly relished the friends he made during his time in business. Over the years, his insurance expertise and reputation led him to be named the top Life Insurance Agent for Traveler’s Insurance Co.
Mr. Milton had a passion for animals and was the head dog trainer for Shrewsbury Dog Training Club. For years, he would enroll his award winning German shepherds into dog shows, where he won numerous ribbons and awards.
An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of Worcester Country Club, the Worcester Club and the infamous Pinehurst Country Club in NC. He served on the board of directors for Worcester Country Club and First United Methodist Church of Westborough.
A funeral service was held June 12 from Hays Funeral Home of Northborough, with private burial.
Notice how the first sentence was concise in announcing the death of the person. The first part will be the most important part because it serves as the formal announcement. The above example mentions cause of death which is optional.
While this sample provides the list of the surviving family immediately after the first sentence, you can also choose to include it towards the end.
Notice how the life story of the deceased was presented in chronological order. It showcased the education of the person, as well as the highlights of his career. His passion and hobbies were also featured.
In this obituary, the funeral service has already ended. The obituary was posted after the services since the family opted for a private burial.
Unique Obituary Sample
Obituaries do not have to follow any traditional style.
Maybe it is more fitting for your loved one to be remembered in a light and heartwarming, or humorous way. Ultimately, the obituary should capture the personality of the deceased.
You might take inspiration from this viral obit written by Jane Catherine Lotter for her late grandmother.
If you’re about to throw away an old pair of pantyhose, stop. Consider: Mary Agnes Mullaney (you probably knew her as “Pink”) who entered eternal life on Sunday, September 1, 2013. Her spirit is carried on by her six children, 17 grandchildren, three surviving siblings in New “Joisey”, and an extended family of relations and friends from every walk of life. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Pink during her 85 years, among them: Never throw away old pantyhose. Use the old ones to tie gutters, child-proof cabinets, tie toilet flappers, or hang Christmas ornaments.
Also: If a possum takes up residence in your shed, grab a barbecue brush to coax him out. If he doesn’t leave, brush him for twenty minutes and let him stay.
Let a dog (or two or three) share your bed. Say the rosary while you walk them.
Go to church with a chicken sandwich in your purse. Cry at the consecration, every time. Give the chicken sandwich to your homeless friend after mass.
Go to a nursing home and kiss everyone. When you learn someone’s name, share their patron saint’s story, and their feast day, so they can celebrate. Invite new friends to Thanksgiving dinner. If they are from another country and you have trouble understanding them, learn to “listen with an accent.”
Never say mean things about anybody; they are “poor souls to pray for.”
Put picky-eating children in the box at the bottom of the laundry chute, tell them they are hungry lions in a cage, and feed them veggies through the slats.
Correspond with the imprisoned and have lunch with the cognitively challenged.
Do the Jumble every morning.
Keep the car keys under the front seat so they don’t get lost.
Make the car dance by lightly tapping the brakes to the beat of songs on the radio.
Offer rides to people carrying a big load or caught in the rain or summer heat. Believe the hitchhiker you pick up who says he is a landscaper and his name is “Peat Moss.”
Help anyone struggling to get their kids into a car or shopping cart or across a parking lot.
Give to every charity that asks. Choose to believe the best about what they do with your money, no matter what your children say they discovered online.
Allow the homeless to keep warm in your car while you are at Mass.
Take magazines you’ve already read to your doctors’ office for others to enjoy. Do not tear off the mailing label, “Because if someone wants to contact me, that would be nice.”
In her lifetime, Pink made contact time after time. Those who’ve taken her lessons to heart will continue to ensure that a cold drink will be left for the overheated garbage collector and mail carrier, every baby will be kissed, every nursing home resident will be visited, the hungry will have a sandwich, the guest will have a warm bed and soft nightlight, and the encroaching possum will know the soothing sensation of a barbecue brush upon its back.
Above all, Pink wrote — to everyone, about everything. You may read this and recall a letter from her that touched your heart, tickled your funny bone, or maybe made you say “huh?”
She is survived by her children and grandchildren whose photos she would share with prospective friends in the checkout line: Tim (wife Janice, children Timmy, Joey, T.J., Miki and Danny); Kevin (wife Kathy, children Kacey, Ryan, Jordan and Kevin); Jerry (wife Gita, children Nisha and Cathan); MaryAnne; Peter (wife Maria Jose, children Rodrigo and Paulo); and Meg (husband David Vartanian, children Peter, Lily, Jerry and Blase); siblings Anne, Helen, and Robert; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.
Pink is reunited with her husband and favorite dance and political debate partner, Dr. Gerald L. Mullaney, and is predeceased by six siblings.
What makes this obituary lovely is that it has the basic information of a traditional obituary, but it is full of character.
This is proof that obit writing does not have to focus on sadness. And notice how the reader gets a sense of the deceased and the impact of her life just by reading the obituary.
Gather stories, anecdotes, and tales from family and friends. Each will have unique experiences to share that others might not be aware of. Collectively it can help complete a fitting tribute.
A Few More Notes
Don’t feel compelled to write outside of your own style in order to capture the personality of the deceased.It doesn’t always work.
What is most important is to convey the announcement. It’s fine if you want to keep the obituary short and straightforward. Present the facts with just a few details about the remarkable impressions that the person left behind.
FAQ
How do I list the survivors in an obituary?
There are no hard rules regarding the order to list surviving family members in an obituary. But you can start by including the closest relatives first. Start with the parents if they are to be included. Then the name of the spouse followed by the children and their spouses. List the children according to age. If there were ex-partners, especially if they had children, list them next. Then siblings, and lastly, any other close family members you would like to add. You can list them individually or group them together (use semicolons, like “spouse, [Name]; children, [Name] and [Name]; …”).
How to start an obituary?
Begin the obituary by announcing they key facts regarding the death. These include, the full name of the deceased, date of death, and where they died. You may also include age and cause of death. The first part of the obituary can be presented as a straightforward announcement of the facts or you may choose a unique style, but this will set the tone. Look at our template for examples.
Is an obituary the same as a death notice?
No. A death notice is written for the purpose of announcing the death and details for the memorial service and other arrangements. An obituary has the same information included but it is more detailed and has other biographical information. A death notice is a brief announcement while an obituary is usually longer and contains more personal information.
Are there other uses for an obituary aside from publishing in a newspaper or website?
Aside from being published in local papers and websites, an obituary can also serve as readings at funeral services, can be framed for a photo, or even just be kept as a keepsake for the family.
Should I be concerned about identity theft while writing an obituary?
Yes. You must avoid scammers stealing the information of the deceased. This is the risk of publicly sharing personal information. You can avoid identity theft by taking care of the financial and credit issues of the deceased before publishing the obituary. You can do thing by closing their accounts and credit cards first, as well as notifying banks, creditors, and agencies of the person’s passing.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Most traditional caskets are mass-produced these days. But there are affordable casket options that are carefully handcrafted and also eco-friendly.
Barnwood caskets fit into this category. These alternative caskets may be suitable for your loved one if you prefer a casket with a rustic and simple style.
Note: The words “casket” and “coffin” are often used interchangeably. Actually, these two words mean different things. We will not be using coffin in this article.
A barn wood casket is made of salvaged or reclaimed wood from old barns.
Many woodworkers and craftsmen turn old barn wood into furniture pieces. Some even use old wood to make rustic caskets. The results are hand-crafted, unique caskets with rough natural finishes.
Barn wood caskets are increasing in popularity. In 2015, top casket supplier Batesville launched their version of an authentic barn wood casket made of untreated and reclaimed lumber. Each year it becomes more and more popular.
Barn wood caskets are gaining in popularity because of their unique style and environmental benefit. But they may not be readily available at your local funeral home. There are several barn wood caskets available online.
Should I Get A Barn Wood Casket?
The benefits of barn wood casket are two-fold.
They offer an alternative look and feel to more traditional coffins. The rustic look is less formal, more unique, and has a natural handmade feel. For many people this is more fitting for their loved one.
The second benefit is environmental. The material is reclaimed and recycled so no new trees are required. And often, the finishes are natural. This lowers the time to decompose, returning natural materials to the Earth.
If you want a rustic casket that isn’t harmful to the environment, you should check out barn wood casket options.
How Much Is a Barn Wood Casket?
Barn wood caskets can cost more than $3,000. But this varies by manufacturer.
Not the most economical option, but still a lot cheaper than traditional caskets made of expensive hardwood and metal such as copper and bronze.
Some funeral homes offer barn wood caskets. However, the selection will be limited. (Could only be one option.)
Finding Barn Wood Caskets Online
We find it is almost always cheapest to purchase caskets online. However, we’ve struggled to find many barn wood casket options available directly to consumers (most retailers sell wholesale to funeral homes).
But there are still options. Our favorite casket retailer, Titan Caskets, makes the Titan Rustic Oak with a textured barn board finish. It is more affordable than the price range listed for funeral homes above.
For a truly unique casket, local woodworkers and craftspeople may be able to create your barn wood casket. Many craftsmen are able to source reclaimed or salvaged wood. There may even be a personal connection to the materials used.
This will also allow for even more personalization. Together you can customize the finishes, panel style, design, and interior.
Why You Should Use Reclaimed Wood for Caskets
There are three main environmental benefits to using reclaimed wood, especially in caskets.
Preserves natural resources
Creates less waste
Fewer paints and stains
Barn wood caskets are eco-friendly because they are usually made of reclaimed wood. Instead of disposing of the materials dismantled from an old barn, they can be up-cycled.
Many casket companies only use 100% reclaimed barnwood to emphasize their caskets’ authenticity—as opposed to barn wood caskets that only replicate a rustic appearance.
Preserves Natural Resources
Wooden caskets make use of thousands of tons of natural timber each year. By using reclaimed wood, there is a reduced need to log for timber resources, and trees are allowed to mature to old growth.
Less Waste
By reducing the need for new lumber, less energy is consumed throughout the entire cycle. Fewer trees are logged, which means a lower number of logs are transported, less energy used, lower emissions, and less waste created.
Less Need For Paints and Stains
Using reclaimed wood reduces the need for additional chemicals in two ways.
There is often no need for paint, stain, or other chemicals to achieve the rustic appearance of a barn wood casket. Salvaged wood can be left in its natural state or rubbed with natural oil for a rustic finish.
Newly harvested timber is treated with chemicals that may seep into the soil and water adding to pollution and harming the environment. Recycling wood will reduce the overall use of the chemicals.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Barn Wood Casket
If you want to create your barn wood casket, you don’t have to scour for old wood panels or buy expensive lumber with a barn wood finish.
Inexpensive wood boards such as pine can achieve the rustic look of a barn wood that you can easily turn into a casket. Simple pine caskets may be the look you’re going for.
Take note of the exterior dimensions of a casket. If you want to include handles and an overhang at the couch, this can affect the overall dimensions. You can review our guide to casket sizes.
The standard interior dimensions of a wood casket are 75 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 16-22 inches high. Caskets are also made in child size and oversized.
Gather Your tools
For this DIY project, you will need:
Hand saw, crosscut saw, or miter box saw
Tape measure
Framing square
Hammer or rubber mallet
Screwdriver or power drill/driver
Scraper or chisel
Prepare the Barn Boards
If you can source reclaimed lumber, great. Sources include old barns, garages, scrap yards, antique stores, and local salvage yards.
Assess each piece of reclaimed lumber for strength before using them in a casket project.
If you cannot find reclaimed lumber or any authentic barn wood board, you can transform an inexpensive pine board into barn wood. Simply follow these instructions from Family Handyman on how to make your own barn wood.
Cut the barn wood boards
A casket is rectangular and contains 6 sides with 4 walls, 1 top, and 1 bottom. Here is a sample cut list from Casket Builder Supply:
Two (2) Bottom Frame Rails / 1in. x 2in. by 76.5 inches
Five (5) Bottom Frame Crossbars / 1in. x 2in. by 22.5 inches
Two (2) Floorboards (outside) / 1in. x 10in. by 76.5 inches
One (1) Floorboard (center) / 1in. x 6in. by 76.5 inches
Four (4) Sideboards / 1in. x 10in. by 78.25 inches
Four (4) End boards / 1in. x 10in. by 24 inches
Two (2) Top boards (outside) / 1in. x 10in. by 78.50 inches
One (1) Top board (center) / 1in. x 8in. by 78.50 inches
Follow the In-depth Assembly Instructions for the Frame and Boards
Casket Builder Supply (article and PDF download) has extensive instructions on how to assemble all the barn wood boards.
If you prefer to create your own casket with a kit, Casket Builder Supply also offers a build-your-own casket kit that includes all the cut wood parts needed to build a simple rectangular casket. (Including a two-piece removable lid.)
Their kit uses pine wood, but if you follow the Family Handyman instructions for transforming wood you can use the kit to build your own barn wood casket.
FAQ
Is a barn wood casket eco-friendly?
Yes. Barn wood caskets are made of reclaimed wood which is helpful for the environment. Instead of discarding material from old barns, people upcycle it into barn wood caskets reducing the need for new lumber.
What are the benefits of using reclaimed wood for a casket?
The use of reclaimed wood for caskets has many environmental benefits. It preserves natural resources, lowers energy consumption, and generates less waste. It also cuts down on chemicals used to treat new lumber and paints and stains used in finishing wood.
How much is a barn wood casket?
A barn wood casket purchased from a manufacturer will cost $3,000 or more. You can lower the price by building one yourself or hiring local craftspeople.
Can I make my own barn wood casket?
Yes. You can create your own barn wood casket using reclaimed wood or any inexpensive lumber with a barn wood finish. Simply follow the instructions of Casket Builder Supply while using reclaimed lumber as your frame and floor boards.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Whether final disposition is burial or cremation, there are many different types of service to honor your loved one.
In this article, we will discuss typical service arrangements before and after cremation. Read more to see which type of service works best for you and your loved one.
Cremation Services – on the Rise
According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) more people are choosing cremation every year. By 2023, it is estimated that 60% of bodies will be cremated and could reach 70% as early as 2030.
One reason for this escalating trend are the increasing costs of in-ground burial. Another explanation is that cremation is becoming more accepted across different religions and cultures. Lastly, there may be an environmental considerations.
What Are My Options For a Cremation Service?
Many people assume that there is no funeral service when the body is cremated. This is a common misconception and couldn’t be further from the truth.
Funeral or Memorial Service
The key difference between a funeral service and memorial service is whether or not the body is present. This is why there are actually more options when cremation is part of the process.
Cremation Services
Funeral Service
With viewing of the body (in casket – cremation performed later)
Without viewing of the body (in casket – cremation performed later)
Memorial Service
At funeral home (no body present)
Alternative location (no body present)
Interment of ashes – (burial)
Interment of ashes – (placed in a columbarium)
Scattering of ashes
Cremation does not limit the different ways to honor your loved one. Each service choice has different elements to consider including cost and preference.
Cremation Funeral Service
A cremation funeral service is similar to a traditional funeral where the body is present for viewing. However, instead of ending the service with a burial, the deceased is sent to be cremated instead.
This kind of service is a good option if you want the traditional ceremony commemorating the life of your loved one and feel that a viewing will help in the healing process.
What Does a Cremation Funeral Look Like?
A funeral service with cremation may be open to the public or only for the closest friends and family. The viewing may be an open or closed casket, depending on the preference of the family. Consider renting a casket to save money and protect the environment.
This type of service may be held in a chapel, a funeral home, a place of worship, or a place significant to your loved one.
During this service, a funeral celebrant or officiant will lead the ceremony. The officiant may be a religious leader, a funeral director, or even a friend or family member.
A funeral service may include readings, prayers, and eulogies. Musicians may also perform. Usually, there could be photo slideshows and video tributes for the deceased as well.
How Much Does a Funeral Service Cost?
A funeral service is the most expensive type of service overall. This is because of the costs associated with preparing and handling the body. For a traditional cremation service (funeral) the body is present and must be embalmed, prepared, dressed and presented in a casket.
According to the National Funeral Director’s Association (NFDA), the median price for a cremation funeral service with casket and urn was $6,590 in 2019.
Body prepared for viewing, embalming, and dressed for viewing
Funeral service takes place
Body is transported to crematorium to be cremated
Family is presented with cremains
When cremation is the final disposition you may consider using a rental casket during the funeral service to lower cost.
In addition to the funeral service costs, there are also the costs of the cremation itself. The body must be in a combustible container for cremation and usually requires purchasing a cremation casket.
This figure can still vary depending on many factors such as location, your choice of flowers or casket spray, the inclusions of your package, and most importantly, your cremation service provider.
It is best to check with the cremation service provider about what they offer so you have a comprehensive understanding of what you’re paying for. We recommend asking for a complete list of costs. This way you won’t be surprised by any additional charges, and will have the opportunity to plan, and set your expectations.
“Funeral homes should provide an itemized list that includes the costs of the services and products offered.”
National Funeral Directors Association
Cultural or Religious Customs
In addition to extra costs associated with having the body present, there are personal preferences that may come in to play as well.
Certain cultures and religions, Jewish for example, forbid embalming and cremation. In the Jewish faith it is common practice to have the body buried as soon as possible.
Cremation Memorial Service
Direct Cremation
If there is no funeral service planned it is called direct cremation.
Here is the series of events for a direct cremation:
Body is moved from hospital or morgue to the crematorium
Cremation takes place immediately
Remains are returned to the family
In the case the body does not need to be prepared for viewing. This avoids many of the costs associated with preparing and transporting the body. Not to mention caskets, flowers, etc. In addition, for those with an aversion to the embalming process, there is no issue.
In this type of service, the family has the flexibility to decide when to cremate the body and hold the service. This is a good option if your loved one died in a different place and you need more time to gather your friends and family.
How Much Does Direct Cremation Cost?
Direct cremation costs vary widely depending on location and other variables. You can expect a range of $395-$3000. Lincoln Heritage has compiled comprehensive cremation costs for any given region.
Free Cremation
For the sake of planning there is a another cremation option that is actually free.
You may choose to donate your body to science. After it serves its purpose, the body will be cremated free of charge and the ashes will be returned to the family.
How the body could be used:
Studying decay for crime investigations
Testing surgical procedures and equipment
Practice for medical students
Devising new tools and medicine
If there is a teaching hospital or medical facility in your area they can provide information on how the process works.
What Does a Memorial Service After Cremation Look Like?
This gathering may look like a funeral service explained earlier, only that the body is not present. Instead of a casket, the focal point of the service may be an urn, a picture, or a floral arrangement.
Similar to a funeral, a memorial service may be held in a funeral home, a place of worship, a crematory chapel, or a place significant to the deceased.
Funeral Home
One option is to hold a memorial service at a funeral home after cremation. Typically this will involve the same choices as a funeral service. Instead of the casket you may choose to focus on any combination of urn, pictures, flowers, and other sentimental objects.
Crematorium Service
Alternatively, you may opt to hold the service in a crematorium.
Many crematoriums offer service packages and are usually well-equipped with available facilities for holding services and ceremonies.
The advantage of arranging the funeral or memorial service in a crematorium is that they usually offer cheaper packages than funeral homes.
Also, your memorial and cremation service can be combined into one event, where the cremation takes place before, during (see the Witnessed Cremation section below), or immediately after the service.
Other Options for Cremation Services
You may have other ideas for a cremation service or funeral, and you can always personalize how you want to commemorate the life of your loved one. Take inspiration from their life. Here are a few less common options to consider:
Witnessed Cremation
Some crematoriums may allow you to witness the cremation, but this may be limited to closest family members and friends. In a witnessed cremation, you will be nearby the body as it enters the cremator. This will allow you to make your final goodbyes to your loved one.
During a witnessed cremation, generally a family member can begin the process themself (usually by pressing a button).
Often the cremation process takes over an hour.
Ash Scattering Service
An ash scattering ceremony may follow the funeral or memorial service. However, this can also be a stand-alone service after the deceased has been cremated.
This will be held in your chosen location. There can be the elements of prayers, eulogies, and readings during this ceremony. After these, the ashes are finally released either into the water or land.
Graveside Service
You may also conduct a graveside service if you are interring the cremated remains in a cemetery, columbarium niche, or private land.
Just like any service, you have the freedom to customize the ceremony. Graveside services are typically shorter than funeral or memorial services. It usually includes the procession to the gravesite, reciting readings and prayers, interring the ashes, and blessing the grave.
FAQ
Is the body cremated before or after the funeral?
In a funeral service, the body will be present (possibly for viewing) so the cremation takes place after the service. In a memorial service, the body is not present, so the cremation may take place before or after the service.
How much is a cremation service?
There are many different types of cremation service. Final cost will depend on the service, location, and provider. Using the data from the NFDA, an average funeral service may cost $6,600. A traditional funeral service (with body) is generally the most expensive because it typically includes a casket, embalming, use of facilities, and more. A memorial service is slightly less expensive at around $4,100. The lower cost is because the body is not present which avoids associated costs.
What does a cremation service look like?
A funeral service (cremation) is similar to a traditional funeral accept that it is not followed by burial. An officiant will lead the service which typically has the elements of readings and prayers, delivering eulogies, music, and presentations. A memorial service may take place later to inter the ashes.
Is embalming required?
If you are going to have a funeral service, embalming is required since the body will be open for viewing. If you’re going to hold a memorial service where the body is not present or will be immediately cremated, then embalming will not be required.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
Most people are trying to balance value with aesthetics when choosing a casket. But for some, money is no object and a gold casket represents the height of luxury.
Note: Caskets and coffins are different, even though most people use them interchangeably. As all gold funerary boxes are caskets, we will used only “casket” and not “coffin” in this article.
No surprise, a gold casket is a casket made of gold. Gold symbolizes success, wealth, prestige, and prosperity. No wonder that many big celebrities and billionaires choose to be buried in a gold casket. It is the perfect statement for a luxurious, final send-off.
Are They Made of Solid Gold?
Most gold caskets are not made of solid gold. They are often made of a bronze base and then plated with gold. But this doesn’t mean they are cheap. Coating the hardware in gold still requires a substantial amount of the base metal and skill and comes at a hefty price tag.
Construction features a 48 oz. bronze base plated with 14-karat gold hardware. It is often called the “gold standard” or the “golden sendoff” because of its luxurious finish.
Both the interior and exterior of a Promethean casket are corrosion and rust-resistant.
The exterior is polished with a unique mirror finish. Inside you will find velvet interiors. The casket features a locking mechanism, and other essential hardware.
The Promethean casket is handmade by technicians and requires approximately two weeks of labor. The Promethean Casket is one of the most famous expensive caskets. It is not entirely made of solid gold, but still considered the top-of-the-line model of Batesville.
Here are some of the renown individuals who used the Promethean for their burial:
George Floyd
On June 9, 2020 George Floyd was buried at Houston Memorial Garden in Pearland, Texas.
Two funeral services took place at The Fountain Of Praise: the first was a public viewing on Monday and then an invite-only service on Tuesday.
George Floyd was laid to rest in a Promethean gold-plated casket.
Floyd Mayweather, former American boxer, raised money from a GoFundMe campaign which collected $13 million in donations worldwide. This money was used to purchase the gold-plated casket for George Floyd. Estimated cost was $25,000.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s final resting place is a Promethean casket. Indeed, a gold casket is fitting for the King of Pop. His casket had blue velvet interiors.
For his burial in 2009, the casket was encased in concrete. He was buried in Holly Terrace Grand Mausoleum at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles. Additional security was put in place with CCTV cameras and sensors installed.
Even before Michael Jackson’s death, the Promethean gold casket was already being sold by Batesville. Many other celebrities and billionaires have purchased this high-end casket.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin, a famous American singer, songwriter, and actress was buried in the Promethean. The Queen of Soul was laid to rest in a gold full couch casket that was open for viewing.
After her funeral in 2018, Aretha Franklin was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.
James Brown
James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, was also buried in the Promethean. His casket was driven through the streets of New York by a white horse-drawn carriage. The final destination was the Apollo Theater. (not for burial)
Reports claim that James Brown’s body was never buried. Instead, it is rumored that his body was mummified. Whether or not James Brown is still encased in the Promethean is inconclusive.
Unique Gold Caskets
Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Casket
Zsa Zsa Gabor, an American actress and socialite, was gifted with a 24-karat gold casket in 2011. Although she was still alive at the time, the actress kept the gift offered by an upscale casket company called The Golden Casket. Gold caskets manufactured by this company are gilded by hand and each casket takes about 200 hours to construct.
Most Expensive? The Malaysian 14K Gold Casket
Is this the most expensive golden casket ever made? We can’t prove it, but this is a solid gold casket and comes with a hefty price tag.
Source: businessinsider.com
The Malaysian gold casket is entirely made of 14k gold. Unlike the Promethean that is mainly made of bronze and coated with gold hardware, this Malaysian 14k gold casket is true to its name.
The casket’s design emphasizes its heritage, as seen in the engraving of the casket’s sides.
This 14k gold casket does not have an official name and it is not available on the market. It was featured in a coffin exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and offered with a whopping price tag of $217,000.
You can buy a gold casket between $24,000 and $40,000.
The Promethean, which is one of the most famous and expensive caskets in the world is still being produced and available today. Retail cost for a Promethean ranges from $24,000 to $30,000. Prices vary depending on distributor.
And there are pricier options. Zsa Zsa Gabor’s gold casket, the one offered by The Golden Casket, costs about $40,000.
To compare the stark difference of a gold casket with traditional options, the average cost of a casket is a little more than $2,000. Traditional caskets are usually made of steel and wood. The higher-end caskets made of copper, bronze, and mahogany can cost as much as $10,000.
Affordable Golden Caskets
Source: Titan Casket
If you want the look of a gold casket but don’t want to splurge for the precious metal, you can check out Titan Caskets. They make quality steel caskets that are available in several finishes, colors, and style selections.
You can also design your casket according to your liking for a personal touch.
Rental caskets are another option for families with a limited budget.
FAQ
Who was buried in a gold casket?
Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown are just some of the celebrities that were laid to rest in gold caskets. They were all interred in the Promethean casket, a famous 14k gold-plated casket manufactured by Batesville Casket Company.
How much does a gold coffin cost?
A gold casket costs about $24,000 to $40,000 depending on the manufacturer. The famous Promethean casket by Batesville Casket Company retails around $24,000 to $30,000.
What does a gold casket mean?
A gold casket symbolizes wealth, success, and prosperity. It is suitable for people who want a luxurious send-off. Gold lasts forever and is truly an opulent way to go.
How long does it take to make a gold casket?
A gold casket takes about 150 to 200 hours to manufacture. Some companies may have a small inventory on hand. But they are labor intensive and usually made to order. It is recommended to plan ahead if a gold casket is part of your plans.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We hope you find this helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, send us an email at info@in-valhalla.com.
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