Introduction

The basic differences between caskets are with regard to construction and features.  Construction refers to the material from which a casket is made; woods and metals are most common, although there are caskets that are made from fiberboard or particleboard.  The standard wood caskets are made from oak, maple, cherry, walnut, mahogany, cedar, poplar, or pine, while metallic caskets can be made from steel, copper, and bronze.  Steel caskets can be further divided by the gauge of steel being used.  Gauge measures the number of steel sheets per inch.  Hence, a 20-gauge steel casket is a thinner steel than an 18-gauge with a 16-gauge casket being the thickest.

The primary considerations with regard to features are the type of interior -- that is, the material used, such as velvet or crepe -- and the difference between gasketed and non-gasketed caskets.  Gasketed caskets have a rubber lining around the lid that seals when the lid is closed (i.e. there is no air exchange).  Non-gasketed caskets latch when they are closed, but do not seal.  Most wooden caskets do not have gaskets, but metallic caskets are made both with and without them. 

We sell caskets from two companies, both of which are based in Pennsylvania: Haven Line Industries, Inc. from Schuylkill Haven and Reynoldsville Casket Company in Reynoldsville.  All of Reynoldsville's caskets can be viewed through our web-site, but only the wood caskets from Schuylkill Haven are currently available to be viewed.  To begin, position your cursor to over the "Caskets" tab to the left of this text and select a company and construct from the drop-down menu.  Selected caskets from both lines can also be viewed at our funeral homes.

Should you have any questions regarding any of these products, please contact our office at (570) 668-0390.