Losing a loved one is undoubtedly one of life's most challenging experiences, and amidst the emotional turmoil, the practical aspects of planning a funeral can be overwhelming. One significant aspect that often looms large in these arrangements is the cost of the casket. With an average price ranging from $2,000 to $7,500, it's no surprise that the casket is the highest ticket item on funeral budgets.
With such a wide range in costs and a growing list of buying options, choosing a casket has gotten more varied than relying on what your local funeral home has in stock. Despite the market's recent growth, most sellers purchase from the same handful of domestic and international manufacturers. This means sellers offer comparable casket models that can be bucketed in economical, mid-range, and high-end ranges. Armed with this knowledge, savvy shoppers can make informed decisions without falling for predatory sales practices. Below is a helpful breakdown of sources, types, and options for buying caskets.
Funeral Homes:
Pine Box $1,250 - Solid Mahogany $8,500
In the delicate world of funeral planning, it's essential to approach the process with transparency and empathy. Unfortunately, not all funeral directors adhere to these principles. Some may employ questionable selling tactics that can put undue pressure on grieving families.
One common strategy is setting high expectations right from the start. Imagine a grieving family walking into a funeral home, looking for a casket for their loved one. The funeral director, knowing the emotional vulnerability of the customers, decides to start the conversation by showcasing the most expensive caskets in their inventory. These caskets are adorned with luxurious materials and exquisite designs, setting the bar extraordinarily high in terms of price.
After establishing this high pricing standard, the funeral director then proceeds to present the grieving family with a seemingly "affordable" alternative – the least expensive and often less desirable caskets. These options may be of lower quality, lack the desired aesthetics, or compromise on meaningful features, leaving the family feeling dissatisfied and unsure.
To further manipulate the situation, the funeral director introduces a “compromise” middle-ground solution, which happens to be a high-margin mid-priced casket. This casket appears more appealing than the initial low-end offerings, but it is still significantly more expensive than what many families had originally intended to spend.
This tactic, sometimes referred to as "bookcasing," can leave grieving families feeling pressured and overwhelmed by the financial aspect of their decision. It is essential to be aware of such tactics and approach funeral planning with a clear understanding of your budget and preferences. Remember that you have the right to make informed choices without being unduly influenced by high-pressure sales tactics. A reputable funeral director should prioritize your needs and emotions above all else, helping you create a meaningful and affordable farewell for your loved one.
Buying directly from the funeral home is usually not the most cost-effective option. In addition to charging a service fee, funeral homes often charge hundreds or thousands more than they paid. It’s worth doing comparison shopping online before buying a casket from a funeral home.
Online Retailers:
Pine Box $999 - Solid Mahogany $4,100
It wasn’t that long ago that buying anything online other than books and CDs was unheard of. These days online reviews, free shipping, wider selections, lower prices, and “buy now, pay later” make even the most expensive purchases make sense online. Most shoppers can expect to pay between $1,100 and $3,500. As a comparison, the majority of caskets sold on Overnight Caskets are in the $1,000 to $2,500 range.
As mentioned, most retailers sell similar models as their competitors. So savvy consumers can use pricing, options, and shipping details to make an informed buying decision. For instance, let’s compare economical models from OvernightCaskets.com and one of our competitors.
| Retailer | Overnight Caskets | Competitor |
| Model | Spartan | Orion |
| List Price | $2,499 | $2,499 |
| Sale Price | $999 | $1,399 |
| Colors | Silver, Black, Blue, White/Gold | 25+ Colors available but not guaranteed in stock |
| Shipping | 3-5 Day w/ packing removal: FREE Expedited Overnight: $300 | 3-5 Day: FREE Expedited Overnight: Call for rates Packing removal: $200 |
| Construction |
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| Dimensions |
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| Features |
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Walmart:
Pine Box $959 - Solid Mahogany $3,295
Walmart sells metal and wood models for those looking for affordable caskets. Overnight Caskets are featured on the Walmart marketplace. Standard 3+ day shipping is free.
Costco:
Pine Box $1,149 - Solid Poplar Wood $1,399
Costco also offers metal and wood casket models to its members. Overnight sells online at Costco under the brand name Prime Caskets. Standard 3-day shipping is free.
Amazon:
Pine Box $999 - Solid Mahogany $2,399
Amazon has a wide selection of casket models from several brands. Prices range from $800 to $2,900. Some sellers ship directly to funeral homes for no added cost.
Other Casket Options and Features to Compare
The most common casket types are metal and wood, but there are a variety of options to choose from at a wide range of price points.
Metal Gauge Size: Standard steel and stainless steel metal caskets are sold in different metal thicknesses, or gauge sizes. A lower gauge indicates thicker steel, which makes lower gauges more expensive. In general, the cost range for steel caskets varies between $850 and $2,400, but the price depends on the type of steel and its gauge. Keep in mind the costs below do not factor in any color finishes or added features:
- 16-gauge - $2,300 - $3,400
- 20-gauge - $825 - $1,125
- 18-gauge - $1,125 - $2,750
Metal: Unlike other metal caskets, bronze and copper models aren’t sold by gauge size. Similar to gauges, however, the price increases with weight.
- Steel - $1,000 - $2,000
- Stainless steel - $2,350 - $3,050
- Bronze - $4,125 - $8,100
- Copper - $3,900 - $4,800
Wood: The price of a wooden casket depends on the exact type of wood used to make it. Pine caskets are cheaper, while caskets made of oak, cherry, maple, or walnut are more expensive.
- Pine - $999 - $2,000
- Hardwood Veneer - $1,250 - $1,999
- Maple - $2,150 - $3,200
- Oak - $2,200 - $3,850
- Walnut - $3,350 - $3,900
- Pecan - $2,650 - $2,950
- Solid Poplar - $1,299 - $3,999
- Solid Mahogany - $2,300 - $7,500
Fiberglass: Fiberglass is an inexpensive material so prices can be low. However, it’s recommended for only small bodies like infants and children. They’re available in several different finish options, like faux wood and marble, to make them more attractive. Fiberglass caskets are offered by a few international retainers or speak with your funeral director to get a list of models and prices.
Green: Green or eco-friendly caskets are biodegradable containers used for green burials. When buried this way, the vessel and the body naturally decompose in the soil. Materials include Bamboo, Cardboard, Fabric, Rattan, Fiberboard, Softwoods, and even root sacks of trees. The cost depends entirely on the material and whether you buy one or make it on your own, but the average price is between $200 and $3,500.
Oversized: A standard casket is 24 to 27 inches wide and is designed to hold a person of healthy weight. Obese individuals may require an oversized casket, which measures anywhere between 28 and 51 inches wide. Because of their larger size, these models are more expensive than their smaller counterparts, costing an average of $1,550 to $4,150. Overnight Caskets Frank Collection includes multiple models.
Cremation: Cremation containers hold the body while it undergoes the cremation process. They can be made of a very inexpensive material, such as cardboard or pressed wood, and cost as little as $200. More ornate versions used to display the body for a funeral service are more expensive with a price range between $625 and $2,425. Overnight Caskets offers casket models for burial or cremation. Cremation caskets hold the body as it is processed in the cremation chamber and burn along with the body. They must be rigid, combustible containers.
Casket Rentals: Caskets are available to rent at funeral homes for between $725 and $1,250, which is simply a convenience fee to clean the casket and transfer the body. Many people who are going to be cremated are placed in a rental casket for viewing before their body is processed. Other people choose to rent a more elaborate, expensive casket to display the body during funeral services and purchase a less expensive one to bury the body.
Consider Customer Reviews when Buying Caskets Online
When comparing caskets with comparable options and features, consumer reviews play a pivotal role when it comes to choosing an online casket retailer. In the sensitive and often unfamiliar realm of purchasing funeral-related products online, the experiences and feedback of others become invaluable. Overnight Caskets is focused on disrupting the funeral industry and delivering high customer satisfaction through service, delivery, selection, and pricing. We are exceedingly proud of our customer reviews. Check out Overnight Caskets Review.io ratings.
Trusted Guidance: Consumer reviews provide prospective buyers with insights and firsthand accounts of their interactions with a particular online casket retailer. This guidance can help potential customers make informed decisions, especially when navigating unfamiliar territory.
Quality Assurance: Reviews offer a window into the quality and condition of the caskets received. Positive reviews highlighting the quality of materials, craftsmanship, and overall satisfaction can instill confidence in potential buyers, reassuring them about the product's integrity.
Customer Service and Support: Reviews shed light on the level of customer service and support offered by the online retailer. A company's responsiveness, professionalism, and willingness to address concerns are often reflected in customer feedback. This information helps consumers identify retailers who prioritize their needs during a challenging time.
Price Transparency: Many reviewers share insights into the affordability of caskets, giving potential buyers a sense of pricing fairness. This can be especially helpful in an industry where pricing can vary significantly.
Peace of Mind: Reading positive reviews from others who have had positive experiences can provide a sense of reassurance during a difficult decision-making process.
When considering an online casket retailer, it's advisable to explore multiple review platforms such as Reviews.io, TrustPilot, Amazon, and Google Reviews to gather a comprehensive understanding of the retailer's reputation. While a few negative reviews are not uncommon, a consistent pattern of positive feedback and customer satisfaction is a strong indicator of a reputable and trustworthy online casket retailer.
Preplanning a casket purchase is also a way to save money and relieve your surviving loved ones from the emotional and financial stress of planning a funeral. Pre-planning is a wise financial decision and gives peace of mind to your family By taking the time now to calmly make decisions, you have several advantages:
- Let your wishes be known
- Protect against price inflation and lock in the price of your chosen casket at today's price
- Reduce stress for friends and family at an emotional time
- Relieve your loved ones of the financial responsibility
Overnight Caskets is committed to delivering our customers an unparalleled standard of quality, care, and customer service. Our user-friendly ordering service and guaranteed delivery times provide peace of mind to families in trying times. Our dedicated customer service staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with any questions you may have. We understand the severity of the matter and treat each and every order with the utmost importance.