Development of Coffins, Burial Cases, and Caskets- Test 2

Question 1

Consisted of wrapping the remains in a blanket or at best a cerecloth, “winding sheet,” and placing the remains uncoffined in a grave. Old English= “Windeing Sheet.”

Answer 1

Earlier Burial Methods in Colonial America

Question 2

With the influx of European cabinet makers and carpenters, coffin making entered the American colonies. (Hardwood Based).

Answer 2

Between 1650-1700

Question 3

Did not stockpile coffins but rather made them “at need” because both hardwood and softwood was available.

Answer 3

The Colonists

Question 4

Mostly pine, were used for the masses.

Answer 4

Softwood

Question 5

Had fancy imported coffin furniture trimmings and fittings were used for the wealthy.

Answer 5

Hardwood

Question 6

Most coffins at this time were on the octagon shape (eight sided) basically European in design.

Answer 6

From 1650-1820

Question 7

Begins to appear after the War of 1812.

Answer 7

Furnishing Undertaker

Question 8

All coffin furniture was imported; lugs, handles, latches, corner molding, etc.

Answer 8

Before the American Revolutionary War of 1776

Question 9

Because of this, of both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, American craftsmen were forced to enter or initiate the industrial revolution mostly in the northeast.

Answer 9

The Embargo Acts

Question 10

By this time, coffin furniture, as well as coffins, were produced entirely in America.

Answer 10

1820

Question 11

Some coffin shops began to produce coffins exclusively on the wholesale level.

• Example: John L. Dillon coffin and shroud warehouse of New York.

Answer 11

After the War of 1812

Question 12

Begins to become the primary expense of the funeral bill.

Answer 12

The Coffin After 1812

Question 13

Undertaking was separated into two distinct roles in terms or wholesale and retail. (3 reasons)

Answer 13

By 1840

Question 14

1. The industrial revolution
2. A prospering new middle class
3. The sexton and liveryman undertaker relied on the furnishing undertaker for supply.

Answer 14

Reasons Why Undertaking was Separated into two Distinct Roles in terms of Wholesale and Retail.

Question 15

Brought about the birth of the furnishing undertaker who turned the simple coffin shop into the coffin warehouse. (Mass Production).

Answer 15

The Industrial Revolution

Question 16

Would spend money but at the same time demand more in service and better burial receptacles, caused the development of the concept of supplier, thus the rise in power of the furnishing undertaker.

Answer 16

A Prospering New Middle Class

Question 17

Had to rely completely on the furnishing undertaker for supply.

• The cabinet maker undertaker still had the economic advantage because he could by-pass the middleman, the furnishing undertaker, but in terms of fit, finish, design, and variation in style he could not compete.

Answer 17

The Sexton and Liveryman Undertaker

Question 18

Prior to 1929 back to the Colonial period was full itemization.

Answer 18

Billing

Question 19

Billing since the stock market crash was moved to this.

Answer 19

Package Deals (Unit Pricing)

Question 20

Most noticed in the early 19th century with the development of the casket and by the end of the 19th century, the 6-sided simple wooden coffin was replaced by the 4-sided casket. The 8-sided octagon was still prominent until the 1940’s.

Answer 20

Improvement in Function, Style, and Composition

Question 21

Specific goals set forth by this person to sell his product to the rising middle class through the retail undertaker causes in evolution in coffin-casket design.

Answer 21

Furnishing Undertaker

Question 22

1. The product should have increased utility- usefulness.
2. It should reflect a person’s station in life. (Distinct price ranges)
3. It should have preservation capability long enough to have a wake and funeral service (Ice tray caskets).
4. It should provide protection against grave robbers and boddy snatchers that sold bodies to anatomists, also it should protect the remains from the forces of nature, example: water, rodents, etc.
5. It should have eye appeal, be beautiful even artistic as were other consumer goods of the period.

Answer 22

Specific Goals of the Furnishing Undertaker Causing an Evolution in Coffin-Casket Design

Question 23

In 1836, recieved the first American patent on a metallic coffin which he produced in his workshop in Richmond, VA.

Answer 23

James A. Gray

Question 24

And associates of Salina, New York in 1835, recieved a patent to make coffins of stone, marble, and hydraulic cement. These patents expired in 1849 because they were hard to manufacture, were heavy to handle, and had little aesthetic appeal. This person may be credited for cement burial vault development.

Answer 24

John White

Question 25

• Rubber
• Celluloid (forerunner of plastics)
• Papier Mache
• Aluminum
• Glass
• Zinc
• Iron
• Baked Clay

Answer 25

By 1860, There were Patents Issued for Every Kind of Material Thinkable to Make Coffins (Most of These were Unsuccessful).

Question 26

Returned to the anthropoid shape. Copied an Egyptian sarcophagus style mummy case with folded arms, made air tight of cast or raised metal and patented in 1848.

Answer 26

Almond D. Fisk- Fisk Metallic Coffin (Fisk Mummy Case)

Question 27

In actuality, it may have deturred decay but encouraged putrefaction. Fisk later suggested that gas or preservative fluid (alcohol) be used inside the case to prevent putrefaction.

Answer 27

Fisk Falsely Claimed that Because his Case was Airtight, it Would Prevent Putrefaction

Question 28

1. Lighter in weight because of the form fitting design (still very heavy).
2. A glass porthole similar to a diving bell on the head end to view the deceased’s face.
3. Airtight design to protect the body (is a false claim).

Answer 28

Claims of the Manufacturer About the Fisk Metallic Burial Case

Question 29

This company of Long Island, New York, intially, with Fisk in partnership, manufactured the Fisk Metallic Coffin.

Answer 29

The W.M. Raymond Company

Question 30

• Development was mostly in the East and Mid-West by Crane, Breed and Co. who acquired manufacturing rights from Fisk and Raymond, and by Jan. 1854, were in control.
• Crane, Breed, and Co. falsely claimed, as did Fisk, the mummy case would preserve dead bodies- mass production in Cincinnati, Ohio plant.

Answer 30

Increase in the Manufacture of Fisk Style Metallic Burial Case

Question 31

1. The Civil war with massive numbers of dead needing a mass-produced coffin.
2. Good transportation by steamboat and railway made the cases accessible to all parts of the country.
3. Good promotion by undertakers, in the newspapers, of the superiority in quality of these cases in terms of design, material, and construction.
4. Many notable leaders were interred in these cases. Example: John C. Calhoun which created favorable publicity.

Answer 31

Promotion and Success of Fisk Style Metallic Burial Cases Was Due to:

Question 32

1. Bronzed case line
2. Plain or octagon pattern

Answer 32

Designs Used in Manufacturing Burial Cases

Question 33

Cast iron with bronze finish bedecked with highly wrought ornaments, representing drapery, flowers, emblems of mortality, etc. Two models were offered, the ornamental and the cloth covered. (high end).

Answer 33

Bronzed Case Line

Question 34

Finished in imitation rosewood represented the lower end quality in the Crane, Breed and Co. line.

Answer 34

Plain or Octagon Pattern

Question 35

By the end of the Civil War in 1865, the cloth covered metallic burial case surpassed the all metal ornamental case in popularity.

Answer 35

Material Used for Burial Cases

Question 36

Introduction of metallic burial caskets on the four-sided design.

Answer 36

Between 1860-1875

Question 37

A front hinged perimeter drop down design patented April 19, 1859 in Providence, Rhode Island. Simplified the earlier Fisk style by utilizing less space, flattening the top, and decreasing the weight. The sides were more rectangelarized with internal overlapping support ribs.

Answer 37

A.C. Barstow- Ogee Design

Question 38

The sarcophagus principle (Anthropoid) of shaping the casket top to the human form betwen 1860-1875 had given way to a rectangularized shape with a flat or slightly domed top.

Answer 38

Changes in Design

Question 39

Furnishing undertaker and coffin manufacturer, in Boston, Mass. 1849, ten years before Barstow, claims to be the first to develop the straight-sided coffin. He also used the word “casket” (chest or coffer) to describe his innovation.

Answer 39

William Cooley

Question 40

Between 1858 and 1862, marks without a doubt the introduction of the rectangularized casket and they mass produced it during the Civil War.

Answer 40

Crane, Breed and Co.

Question 41

Developed in 1857 by Crane, Breed and Co. as a streamlined coffin was the forerunner of the modern casket.

Answer 41

Zinc Shoulder Casket

Question 42

With the advent of these, after the Civil War, an emphasis on presentation of the dead rather than merely encasing the body came about.

Answer 42

Arterial Injection and Cavity Treatment of the Dead

Question 43

In 1871, Crane, Breed and Co. mass produced the first sheet metal casket. Basically it was sheet metal molded over support iron flanges and much lighter in weight than those early designs made of cast iron. They produced two models, the Oriental and the New Casket.

Answer 43

Impact on Modern Casket Manufacturing Methods

Question 44

After the Civil War, these entered the filed or mass producing metal caskets. By 1890, the term coffin was replaced by the term casket, not only in the funeral service profession, but also in the United States Patent Office.

Answer 44

Stove Manufacturers

Question 45

Could compete with mass produced metallic caskets. They could be mass produced by many cabinet makers working together, utilizing modern methods after the Civil War, whose origins were the pre-Civil War furnishing undertaker. They would be wood constructed, reinforced by metal struts and supports, and covered with ornate broadcloth (up to 1945).

Answer 45

Cloth Covered Burial Cases- Wooden Casket Production

Question 46

Impact on coffin-casket manufacturing was most noted by Samuel Stein and his _________ in 1871.

Answer 46

Stein Patent Burial Casket

Question 47

Was an Austrian cabinet maker who settled in Rodchester, N.Y. in 1850. He supported himself by constructing glass display cases for stores. In 1870, he produced a glass and wood casket but it was too fragile and considered too innovative for the times. in 1872, he modified the glass sides with wood and then covered these panels with cloth; a success. (His first glass coffin was a failure).

Answer 47

Samuel Stein

Question 48

In this time, Samuel Stein claimed that a wooden cloth covered casket would provide the same preservation features, as well as outlast a metallic casket (Note: Neither would preserve anything).

Answer 48

In 1874

Question 49

1. His casket was used to bury James Gordon Bennett, owner and editor of the New York Herald newspaper, who died June 1, 1872- favorable publicity.
2. He was allowed to display his cloth covered caskets at the Philadelphia Centennial of 1875 (Took many orders from undertakers).
3. In 1885, his style E state casket covered with the finest black broadcloth was used in the burial of U.S. Grant. It even had the ex-president’s initials embroidered on its pillow.
4. The success of his style E. state casket brought about a merger in 1890 with the National Casket Company. It occupied nearly one hundred thousand square feet of space and was producing six hundered cloth covered caskets per week.

Answer 49

Three Events that Brought about the Success to Stein and his Cloth Over Wood Casket

Question 50

• Materials used: concrete and artificial stone, terra cotta, cement and wood, glass panel, celluloid, papier mache, india rubber, and wicker (some success).
• Designs: Glass panels flanged together to form a box, cruciform, with adjustable length and width.

Answer 50

Nineteenth Century “also ran”- Burial Receptacles with well Intentioned Ideas

Question 51

• Too fragile
• Too heavy
• Too Transparent
• Too cumbersome
• Too ridiculous in design

Answer 51

Most 19th Century “also ran” Designs failed for These Reasons.

Question 52

• Many of the early iron and cement coffins were the forerunners of the modern iron and cement burial vaults.
• The glass coffins may have lead to the glass lined sealers of the 20th century.

Answer 52

Influence on Modern Practices

Question 53

These caskets did not provoke more than a ripple of attention from 19th century undertakers, however, they were developed and sold to the public based on the fear of premature burial. Nothing psychologically had changed since ancient Rome and Greece in many citizen’s minds.

Answer 53

Life Signal Coffin (Fraud Coffin)

Question 54

• Spring loaded lids (useless when buried)
• Signal bell with pullcord attached to the deceased’s hand.
• Electric alarm systems
• Signal flags working on the same principle as the bell.
• Air hose going from the deceased’s mouth to above ground.

Answer 54

Methods and Materials Used- Life Signal Coffins

Question 55

At the end of the 19th century, this ended life signal caskets. (for obvious reasons).

Answer 55

Arterial Embalming

Question 56

In 1843, life signal coffins were being patented in the U.S., the earliest 1843 to be patented came from the drawing board of this person (of Baltimore, MD). His invention was designed by an arrangement of wires, pins and a spring loaded lid to enable to occupant of the coffin by the slightest movement of the head or hand to cause the lid to spring open.

Answer 56

Christian Eisenbrandt

Question 57

In 1868 (Newark New Jersey) consisted of a square tube containing a ladder and a cord. On one end of which was attached to the hand of the person in the coffin, the other end of the cord extended to the top of the tube with a bell.

Answer 57

Franz Vester

Question 58

One who stole bodies from graves to sell to anatomists.

Answer 58

Resurrectionist

Question 59

The problem of the resurrectionist, caused the development in Columbus, Ohio about 1878 of this. This device, made of iron and about an inch in diameter and six inches long, contained an explosive and a trip mechanism to set it off should the coffin be tampered with. (Basically a shot gun).

Answer 59

Clover Coffin Torpedo

Question 60

Date back to the Egyptian pyramids and the Hebrew burial chamber.

Answer 60

Outside Enclosures

Question 61

These were the first attempt to use structures similar to what is used today for outside enclosures (burial vaults, liners, and outside boxes).

Answer 61

Greek and Roman Stone Crypts (Garden Crypts)

Question 62

Outside enclosures to protect the coffin with its remains during the middle ages fell strictly into the realm of the nobles. Intramural interment tended more toward crypts placed in the floor and walls of churches. It was an area of _____ _____ that we find the vault of at least its origin.

Answer 62

Extramural Interment

Question 63

There was little use of outside enclosures of any kind during this period.

Answer 63

Colonial America (1500-1800)

Question 64

At this time, we find outside enclosure development occurring in North America.

Answer 64

Nineteenth Century (1800-1900)

Question 65

1. Sectional
2. Brick and slab
3. Slate vault
4. Brick and slate

Answer 65

Materials Used for Outside Enclosures (before metallic sealed vaults).

Question 66

Concrete slabs of various lengths sealed together to form an oblong box; all attachment of such slabs was done with a sand base cement mortar (Forerunner of the modern cement outside liner).

Answer 66

Sectional

Question 67

Consisted of a concrete floor or slab with brick and mortar sides and a top slab of concrete.

Answer 67

Brick and Slab

Question 68

Large squares or slabs of slate with tongue and groove end fittings bolted together to form an oblong box. (Many in coal regions).

Answer 68

Slate Vault

Question 69

Popular in Eastern cities; slate bottom, brick and mortar sides and a slate top slab.

Answer 69

Brick and Slate

Question 70

In 1872 in Hartford, Conn., protested the high cost of brick and slab as well as slate vaults. His idea was simple; place the casket into a wooden rough box on top of small supports, elevating it above the floor. Pour concrete into the rough box which would act as a mold. The casket would be completely encased in concrete.

Answer 70

Jacob Weidenmann

Question 71

In 1878, invented the burial safe in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was a large iron cage constructed of heavy iron slats bolted together and padlocked. Its purpose was to protect the remains against resurrectionists.

Answer 71

Andrew Van Bibber

Question 72

The number of patents granted in connection with concrete burial vaults seems to skyrocket at this time. Wherever gravel, sand, and cement could be found, by 1920, there was a concrete vault company in operation.

Answer 72

Between 1900 and 1920

Question 73

By this time, concrete manufacturers were producing both the simple concrete box called a grave liner as well as the reinforced airtight, water proof concrete vaults whose tops would seal with a tongue and groove that had eye appeal directed toward the consumer. Top seal concrete burial vault. The groove is in the lid, the tongue is the top perimeter rim of the box.

Answer 73

1940

Question 74

Of Springfield, Ohio, concerned with the number of grave robberies, developed a design that would dominate metallic vault stypes up to the present.

Answer 74

George W. Boyd

Question 75

George W. Boyd’s design consisted of the conventional two parts, a domed iron cover and a floor plate, both made of wrought iron plates riveted together as you would when making a boiler. This was the direct predecessor of this kind of burial vault used today.

Answer 75

Air Seal Metallic Burial Vault

Question 76

George Boyd sold his patent to this person, whose salesmen sold the vault through the Springfiled Metallic Casket Company. By 1900, the Champion Company began manufacturing the vault themselves and became a competitor of Springfield Metallic Casket Company. These two companies dominated the metallic vault business, at the end of the 19th century, in the United States.

Answer 76

Scipio Baker of the Champion Embalming Chemical Company

Question 77

Now this is the leader in air seal metal vaults today. Air seal is a dome on the plate/base system.

Answer 77

Clark Metal Grave Vault

Question 78

Generally, modern concrete vaults are top seal and metal vaults are ___ ___. The newest plastic or fiberglass vaults are air seal.

Answer 78

Air Seal

Question 79

Was a variation of the existing vault and was made like a safe deposit box with a hinged end panel. After placing the casket in the vault the end panel was sealed and the whole unit was lowered into the grave. (The modern garden crypt developed from these).

Answer 79

The End Seal Metallic Vault

Question 80

1. Initially, to protect the remains from grave robbers.
2. Later, to protect the casket and its contents.
3. Aesthetic beauty and eye appeal seems to be the most current appeal to the consumer.

Answer 80

Basic Concepts for the use of Vaults

Question 81

1. Hardwood and softwood was cheap and plentiful and was used to make rough boxes to protect ornate wooden and metal caskets that were shipped by steamboat and railway.
2. Caskets were placed on top of these boxes for display. The get rid of these boxes, undertakers would offer them to their families free of charge a grave liners. Eventually they charged for the transportation and placing of these boxes in graves, and by 1870, were also charging for the box itself.

Answer 81

Development of the Wooden Rough Box

Question 82

Rough boxes were extensively used as grave liners because of the many deaths due to influenza (Spanish Flu).

Answer 82

After WWI, 1918

Question 83

5 to 10 percent of all funerals included vaults, mostly metal air seal. (Completely sealed).

Answer 83

By 1915

Question 84

The vast majority of Americans could not, or would not, pay for concrete or metal vaults and most used wooden outside boxes as grave liners up to and through this time.

• Wooden rough box- pine box with pine top- “now” they are not available.

Answer 84

Up to and Through World War II

Question 85

It has only been since this time, that cemeteries have demanded the minimum outside box to be at least a concrete grave liner. (Rough boxes collasped and could not support the earth) Liners- no seal. Concrete slabs- top slabs just placed on top. “Now” concrete liner has 2 holes drilled in bottom and one piece top placed on top.

Answer 85

Since World War II (1945)

Question 86

Funeral homes sold vaults exclusively. Since 1972, many cemeteries now sell concrete vaults.

Answer 86

Up to 1972

Question 87

A cement box that has a top but does not seal. It has 2 large holes in the bottom for water drainage and supports the earth above it.

Answer 87

A Concrete Grave Liner

Question 88

The reinforced cement vault has dominated vault sales.

Answer 88

From 1945 to the Present

Question 89

Have dominated up until World War II. Since then, the metal casket has taken the lead.

Answer 89

Cloth Covered Wooden Caskets and Ornate Wooden Caskets