Funeral Service Merchandising- Casket Sizes

Question 1

• Length 78”
• Width 23”
• Height 16” to 24”

Answer 1

Average Adult Metal Interior Casket Size

Question 2

• Length 75”
• Width 22”
• Height 16” to 22”

Answer 2

Average Adult Wooden Interior Casket Size

Question 3

• Length 84”
• Width 29”

Answer 3

Average Adult Wooden or Metal Casket Exterior Size

Question 4

This is how the deceased should be measured for casket size.

Answer 4

Elbow to Elbow

Question 5

• 1976-1980- 47%
• 1988-1994- 56%
• 1999-2000- 64%

Answer 5

People Considered Overweight or Obese in America

Question 6

The arranging funeral director should always do his or her best to ascertain the approximate size of the deceased _____ the family makes a casket selection.

Answer 6

Before

Question 7

Measures 86 inches long by 30 inches wide.

• An oversize casket may require the use of an oversized outer burial container
• May need to utilize more than one standard grave space.

Answer 7

Standard Interior Dimensions of a Burial Container

Question 8

Oversize dimensions have increased incrementally by 2 Inches in Width, 3 Inches in Length. Each “step” increase in size represented by an X.

Answer 8

X Formula

Question 9

Fewer provide oversize caskets that specifically follow any particular X formula. Instead, they simply manufacture a variety of oversize units designed to accommodate the widest range of body types one can reasonable expect to encounter.

Answer 9

Manufacturers Today

Question 10

A unit that measures (inside) 38 inches wide and 85 inches long (keep in mind that a twin bed mattress measures 39 inches by 75 inches).

Answer 10

Double Oversize

Question 11

Althought oversized caskets use the same materials as a standard casket, the additional materials, labor, and sometimes custom work necesary to manufacture them will make them ____ ______ than the standard casket.

Answer 11

More Expensive

Question 12

Represents pure tragedy, one of the greatest losses anyone can experience.

• Range from 12” to 5’6” in length
• Typically increase lengthwise by 6 inch increments.
• Widths vary, determined by proportion to casket’s length.
• Only difference between adult caskets is dimensions
• Interiors may be reversible

Answer 12

Infant or Child’s Casket

Question 13

Half couch caskets may have caps hinged in an opposing manner, and can be displayed with either “male” (light blue) or “female” (pink) interior themes.

Answer 13

Reversible Interior in Children’s Caskets

Question 14

Vacuum formed or injection molded polymer plastics account for a much larger percentage of caskets produced.

• Many of these polymer caskets are combination units.
• Practical, study, and economical
• Less aesthetically pleasing

Answer 14

Unusual Aspect of Children’s Caskets

Question 15

Offer the advantage of serving as their own burial container, so no additional burial vault is required.

Answer 15

Combination Unit

Question 16

If the funeral home does not stock what the family wants, the family should be offered the opportunity to select an appropriate casket from a catalog; most manufacturers of infants’ and children’s caskets can deliver within 24 hours.

• Do not cause the family of a deceased child to feel any more disenfranchised because their choices were limited and they had to “settle” for what the funeral home had in stock.

Answer 16

Offer The Family Options