Funeral Service Merchandising- Casket Exterior Finishes Flashcards
Wood caskets receive a tremendous amount of attention during the process of finishing, with multiple sanding, sealing, staining, and final finish applications, just as one would expect of a fine piece of furniture. Metal caskets are generally finished py painting in a manner similar to a process used by automobile manufacturers.
General Rule
- Unfinished
- Natural finish
- Painted
- Laminated
- Cloth-covered
Wood Casket Finishing Styles
Receives no finishing steps (stain, polish, etc.) beyond an initial sanding, and has a simple, plain appearance.
- Orthodox Jewish Caskets
Unfinished Casket
Whether the casket is stained or not, the casket surface will be smoothly sanded and varnished.
- Vast majority of wooden caskets
- May appear to be quite shiney (polished) or very dull, or anywhere in between.
Natural Finish
A surface made smooth and glossy, usually by friction; brought to a highly developed, finished, or refined state; burnished.
- Labor intensive, multiple coats of varnish
- Each coat of varnish must be sanded with progressively finer grades of sand paper and then hand rubbed.
- Fine grain (cherry, mahogany) woods lead to a high-gloss finish better than more open grains (pecan, oak).
Polished Finish
A low luster finish in comparison to the polished finish. It is not totally devoid of light-reflecting properties, but is not nearly as reflective as the gloss finish. Similar in appearance to the satin finish.
Semi-Gloss Finish
A type of semi-luster or semi-gloss casket finish that is smooth with well defined fine lines or striations.
Satin Finish
Free of gloss and has a dull, lusterless finish.
Matte Finish (Flat Finish)
Falls somewhere between a matte finish and a semi-gloss, depending on the manufacturer.
Candleglow Finish
Wood caskets were commonly painted. Today this option is available, but rare. The overwhelming majority of today’s consumers preferring wood also prefer a natural finish.
- Black- adults
- White- Children
Until the Early 20th Century
Examples are wood vaneers or vinyl. The application of these typically allows for a finished casket to give the impression that it is constructed of a higher quality of wood than is actually the case, while at the same time being less expensive.
Laminates
For many years, this kind of laminated finish was considered “top of the line.” Over the years, this became the minimum offering in most funeral directors’ selection rooms, and the subject of a number of disparaging euphemisms.
- Used to be used on wood and even fine hardwoods
- Today used on pine, plywood, or fiberboard/cardboard
Cloth-Covered
Material having designs raised above the surface. (Usually accomplished by impressing the design into the cloth and applying pressure and heat.)
Embossed
- Broadcloth
- Canvas
- Doeskin (moleskin)
- Felt
- Plush (velour)
- Mohair
- Brocade
- Tapestry
Commonly Used Covering Materials
A twilled, napped woolen or worsted fabric with a smooth, lustrous face and dense texture; usually made of cotton, silk, rayon woven in a plain or rib weave with a soft, semi-gloss finish.
- A very durable and easily recognized fabric
Broadcloth
