Development of Coffins, Burial Cases, and Caskets Flashcards
Earlier burial methods in colonial America consisted of wrapping the remains in a blanket known as a
Cerecloth or “Winding Sheet”
Cloth treated with was is a
Cerecloth
Between 1650-1700, with the influx of European cabinet makers and carpenters, what entered the American colonies?
Coffin Making
Original Coffin Making was based on what?
Hardwood
The colonists made coffins ______
at need
Why did the colonists make their coffins at need instead of mass producing them?
Both softwood and hardwood were readily available
Softwood coffins, usually pine, were used in colonial America for
the masses
The hardwood, with fancy imported coffin furniture trimmings and fittings were used for
The wealthy
Most coffins from 1650 to 1820 were of this shape
Octagon
Furnishing undertakers appear when?
after the War of 1812
Before the American Revolutionary war, all coffin furniture was
imported
Because of these, American craftsmen were forced to enter or initiate the industrial revolution mostly in the northeast, and thus all coffin furniture and coffins were now made domestically
Embargo Acts of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812
After the War of 1812, some coffin shops began to produce coffins exclusively on this level
Wholesale
Name the first wholesale manufacturer in America
John L. Dilon Coffin and Shroud Warehouse of New York
After 1812, this became the primary expense of the funeral bill
The coffin
By 1840, undertaking was separated into two distinct roles of
Wholesale and retail
The industrial revolution brought about the birth of the furnishing undertaker who turned the simple coffin shop into this
Coffin Warehouse
A prospering new middle class would spend money but demand more in service and better burial receptacle caused the development of this
Concept of supplier and the rise in power of the furnishing undertaker
The cabinet maker still held the economic advantage because he could bypass the middleman, but in terms of these, he could not compete
Fit, finish, design, and variation in style
Billing prior to 1929 was this
Full itemization
Ever since the stock market crash, billing move to
package deals
Improvements of functions, style, and composition of coffins is most noticed when?
The Early 19th century
What improved the function, style, and composition of coffins?
The development of the casket
The style of the casket moved from an 8 sided octagon shape to a
4 sided rectangle
The 8 sided casket was prominent until
the 1940s
Specific goals were set forward by the furnishing undertaker for the casket?
Increased utility
Reflect a persons station in life
Preservation capability through the wake and funeral service
Provide protection against grave robbers and body snatchers
Have eye appeal
Received the first patent on a metallic coffin
James A Gray
Received a patent to make coffins of stone, marble, and hydraulic cement
John White
Cement Burial vault development
John White
These materials were used, unsuccessfully, to make coffins
Rubber Celluloid Paper meche Aluminum Glass Zinc Iron Baked Clay
This very heavy burial case was anthropoid in shape, made airtight with cast iron or raised metal
Fisk Metallic Coffin
Fisk falsely claimed that his Metallic Coffin would prevent this
putrefaction
Why did Fisk believe his Metallic Coffin would prevent putrefaction?
Because it was airtight
