Funeral Service Merchandising- Cremation Merchandise

Question 1

This area is the newest and perhaps fastest growing segment of funeral service merchandising.

Answer 1

Cremation-Specific Merchandise

Question 2

1. More and more families are choosing cremation as a means of final disposition.
2. Families choosing cremation have begun to demand more service and more merchandise options to better fit their individual needs.
3. Funeral directors, feeing a financial “pinch” from revenues lost by (historically) not effectively serving cremation families, have expanded the merchandise and service options available to the families they serve.

Answer 2

3 Forces Causing Dramatic Change in Cremation Merchandise

Question 3

Regardless of the breadth and depth of cremation oriented merchandise:

1. One to hold the body prior to and for the cremation process
2. One to hold the cremated remains

Answer 3

All Cremations Generally Result in 2 Containers

Question 4

• Cremation containers (and “alternative” containers)
• Urn and temporary containers for cremated remains
• Urn vaults
• Other associated merchandise

Answer 4

Major Categories of Cremation Merchandise

Question 5

Any individual to be cremated must be placed in some kind of container prior to and for the cremation process itself; basic dignity, hygiene, ease of handling and transport require such a container as will this is necessary should a family choose the view the remains or have a service with the body present prior to cremation.

• May be traditional casket or newer container specifically designed for cremation.
• Actual choice made by families is based on what they feel is appropriate to their individual needs, budgets, and philosophies.

Answer 5

Cremation Containers

Question 6

• Traditional wood burial caskets
• Traidtional metal burial caskets
• Rental caskets
• Cremation caskets and alternative containers

Answer 6

Types of Cremation Containers

Question 7

May be used for cremation with a few caveats.

• Large volume of metal components (screws, nails, hinges, clasps, bed framework, hardware, etc) will remain after the cremation process is complete.
• At high temperatures zinc will produce a thick, white smoke that will likely cause the crematory’s anti-pollution equipment to prematurely halt the cremation process. Should be removed prior.
• High gloss finish- materal used to finish gives an extremey high heat value. (should be first cremation of the day, in a cool chamber).

Answer 7

Traditional Wood Caskets

Question 8

May be used for cremation, but the practice is neither widespread or recommended.

• Extensive preparation necessary (also remove casket caps).
• Only casket of this type that should not be used for cremation are those that have been galvanized (coated in zinc) and those formed from bronze.
• Question of what to do with burnt out casket shell

Answer 8

Metal Caskets

Question 9

A casket which is used as a temporary receptacle for dead human remains for the purpose of visitation and funeral, with the intention that the remains will be placed in some other suitable container for permanent disposition, while the casket is intended to be reused for the same purpose.

• Some are a regular casket that is relined as required after each use
• Some are specifically designed to incorporate a removeabe insert.

Answer 9

Rental Casket

Question 10

Includes a portion of the interior lining, holds the body within a rental casket shell for viewing and/or services.

• Removed from casket prior to cremation and a lid placed on top.
• Use of a rental casket without this requires the family to purchase an additional cremation container for the actual cremation process.

Answer 10

Removeable Insert

Question 11

These terms have two separate definitions, but they have become interchangable in practical use.

• Contain little if any mental components and are generally free of components that produce hazardous emissions when burned.
• Many feature photo-finish vinyl laminates (finished product resembles a hardwood casket).

Answer 11

Cremation Caskets and Various Alternative Containers

Question 12

An environmentally safe casket which is designed for encasing dead human remains for cremation.

• Features wood or wood-based construction

Answer 12

Cremation Casket

Question 13

An unfinished wood box or other non-metal receptacle or enclosure, without ornamentation or fixed interior lining, which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is made of fiberboard, pressed wood, corrugated coardboard, composition materials (with or without an outside covering) or like materials.

• Frequently constructed to resemble traidtional caskets

Answer 13

Alternative Container

Question 14

Corrugated container

Answer 14

Standard “Minimum” Container

Question 15

A contained used to hold a dead human body which is constructed out of a type of cardboard, which is made with a series of alternate folds and ridges.

Answer 15

Corrugated Container

Question 16

That a container used for cremated remains be of sufficient capacity to contain 100% of the remains retrieved from the cremation chamber.

• Acceptable volume of any creamted remains container to hold the remains of a cremated adult is about 200 cubic inches.

Answer 16

Primary Importance- Urns and Temporary Containers

Question 17

A more or less permanent container designed to securely hold cremated remains for final disposition.

Answer 17

Cinerary Urn

Question 18

• Single capacity
• Double capacity
• Infant/child/keepsake capacities

Answer 18

Basic Urn Types

Question 19

Designed to hold the cremated remains of a single adult.

Answer 19

Single Capacity

Question 20

Designed to hold the cremated remains of two adults, either together or in separate chambers.

Answer 20

Double Capacity

Question 21

Designed to contain substantially less volume than a standard adut urn.

Answer 21

Infant/Child/Keepsake Capacity

Question 22

A container for cremated remains; alternately a vase with a foot or pedestal.

Answer 22

Urn

Question 23

Tend to be durable and strong. As of the time of writing, constructed with:

• Metals
• Woods
• Marble
• Ceramics
• Plastics/polymer resins
• Other materials

Answer 23

Materials Commonly Used for Urns

Question 24

Most frequently formed from bronze, pewter, and steel

Answer 24

Metal Urns

Question 25

• Wrought and cast varieties
• Range from simple square boxes to elaborate, museum-quality sculpture.

Answer 25

Bronze Urns

Question 26

A blusih gray alloy derived primarily from tin, often seen in a brushed finish.

Answer 26

Pewter

Question 27

Formed by pressing, stamping, and welding the metal into finished product; commonly painted, are usually the most economical of the metal urns.

Answer 27

Steel Urns

Question 28

Appreciated for their unique beauty. Almost any wood species can be utilized, the majority are crafted from hardwood such as mahogany, cherry, oak, and walnut.

Answer 28

Wood Urns

Question 29

A more or less crystalized limestone. Used to produce beautiful, durable urns, often with a high gloss polish.

• Appearance can vary widely
• Some are turned and crafted from solid stone
• Others are created by mixing marble dust with a resin/polymer, which is then molded into the finished product.

Answer 29

Marble

Question 30

Formed from clay, fired at a high temperature, and then glazed by covering with an oxide coating and re-firing, have been used for thousands of years to hold cremated remains.

• Will not stand excessive abuse, but is very durable if given proper care in handling.

Answer 30

Ceramic Urns

Question 31

Seen at both ends of the price spectrum.

• Polymer plastics- many economical, entry-level urns
• Cast acrylic- many high-end sculpture urns

Answer 31

Plastic/Polymer Urns

Question 32

Used to hold cremated remains for a limited period of time, and generally take a few forms.

• Corrugated cardboard box
• Rigid container or metal cylinder from the crematory
• More permanent materials, some funeral directors believe, may discourage a family from purchasing a permanent urn.
• Scattering urns
• Biodegradeable urn

Answer 32

Temporary Containers

Question 33

The cremated remains are held inside the box, contained within a plastic bag.

Answer 33

Currogated Cardboard Box

Question 34

Some crematories/funeral homes prefer to place the cremated remains inside these.

Answer 34

Rigid Plastic or Metal Cylinder

Question 35

Designed and marketed to hold the cremated remains for the usually brief period of time between the cremation and the subsequent scattering of the cremated remains.

• Made from a variety of quite durable materials, spun bronze, wood, wood by-products

Answer 35

Scattering Urn

Question 36

Formed from materials that quickly break down in the presence of moisture.

• i.e. paper mache like product- purpose of “floating” the cremated remains out onto a body of water; the urn gradually absorbs the water, sinks, and deterioates.

Answer 36

Biodegradable Urns

Question 37

Many cemeteries require that these be used when an urn is buried on their grounds for the same reason they require one for casketed burial- to help prevent the grave’s “collaspe,” an appearance and maintenance issue.

1. Vault
2. Grave Liner

Answer 37

Outer Burial Containers

Question 38

May be made of concrete, metal, or polymer plastics, constructed in the same manner as full-size burial vaults, albeit on a smaller scale.

• Supports the weight of the earth over the grave
• Prevents the urn from the encroachment of soil and water.

Answer 38

Urn Vault

Question 39

Possesses no sealing qualities. Most often formed from concrete, its purpose is simply to support the earth above the grave.

Answer 39

Urn Liner

Question 40

• Water fountain
• Keepsake jewelry
• Hand-blown glass
• Keepsake urn

Answer 40

Other Cremation Merchandise

Question 41

1. The family should be advised of the container’s minimum size requirements so that the entire volume of cremated remains can be accomodated
2. Director should provide and have the family sign a release acknowledging that the container they have chosen to use is not specifically designed as a cremation urn, holding harmless and indemnifying the funeral home from any damages that may result from the employment of such a container.

Answer 41

If Family Supplies Their Own Urn