A Guide to Selecting an Urn or a Casket
There are several factors to consider when choosing an urn or casket for a loved one or yourself. You have to consider various factors such as your budget, the type of ceremony being planned, and your personal preferences. Urns and caskets are available in various styles and materials, so they naturally vary in price depending on what you are interested in. If you’re looking to cremate or bury a recently deceased loved one, check out these funeral homes in Tallahassee, FL.
Caskets
Popularly called a coffin in some climes, a casket holds the body that’s about to be entombed or buried. A casket is also an attractive and respective way to transport the body before it is cremated or buried.
Types of Caskets
Metal Caskets – Metal caskets are constructed from materials such as plain steel, bronze, copper, gold, and other precious metals. These are popular choices because they provide extra protection from the elements, and they are exceedingly durable. Professionals often refer to them as sealer, protective or gasketed caskets because they contain a thick rubber gasket surrounding the lid, creating a sealed enclosure.
Wood Caskets – Constructed from wood, these caskets are another popular option because of the vast selection available and their unique hand-crafted design quality. If you decide to purchase a wood casket, you should pay extra attention to the details to ensure you are not paying higher for lower-quality wood that has been veneered or finished to look like premium wood.
Rental Caskets – This kind of casket is made for display purposes only. They are designed to be displayed during the wake or a funeral but wouldn’t be used to bury the body. These caskets are mainly required when the deceased opted for being cremated, but a traditional funeral service is still needed.
Eco-Friendly Caskets – There currently exists a wide variety of environmentally friendly burial container options, and eco-friendly caskets are just an example of such. These are biodegradable caskets commonly made from bamboo, unfinished wood, banana leaf, willow, and other natural materials. While this kind of casket will obviously come in the natural color of the material used in its production, it can be beautified by dyeing.
Cardboard Caskets – This is another environmentally friendly casket option. Made using biodegradable cardboard, these eco-friendly caskets are popular choices for green burials or cremation. They are also the cheapest casket option available.
Cremation Urns
An urn is a vessel specially crafted to carry cremation ashes. While wood is a popular material used to create cremation urns, it can be made using other materials such as metal and marble. They differ from simple cremation urns to exquisite styles designed to be artistic displays in the house.
There are several diverse types of cremation urns.
Types of Urns
Keepsake Urns – This type of cremation urns is primarily used when the ashes of a lost loved one have been scattered, but the family wishes to keep a portion of the ashes. It is also a popular option when the ashes are shared amongst several family members. They come in small sizes and can be made from a variety of materials.
Wood Urns – This type of cremation urns are made from an extensive type of wood such as walnut, oak, pine, maple, or cherry. Wood cremation urns are usually stained and frequently beautified with laser etchings and inlays.
Biodegradable Urns – In today’s world, the popularity of environmentally friendly or green burial has surged throughout the funeral industry, and green burial containers are continually being demanded. Biodegradable cremation urns are ecologically friendly urns made using 100% natural materials that naturally biodegrade over time.
Companion Urns – These types of cremation urns are special urns used to store the ashes of two individuals. Like all other types of urns, companion urns can be made from diverse materials and are available in different styles and designs. Two models of companion urns are available for purchase; double or single-compartment models. As expected, these urns are usually larger than other types of cremation urns as it houses the ashes of two individuals.
Photo Urns – These types of cremation urns are designed for families who wish to discretely display the cremated ashes of a loved one in their houses. Photo urns look just like a regular picture frame; however, they possess a hidden compartment where to store the deceased’s ashes.
Religious Urns – Typically distinguished by the design and mural, religious cremation urns are feature words and scenes that are directly linked to spiritual and religious practices. There are religious urns that represent all religions and faiths. They showcase a diversity of religious signs, pictures, and symbols, such as praying hands, crosses, and quotations from religious texts.
You can learn more about funeral homes in Tallahassee, FL. Talk to us at Lifesong Funerals & Cremations to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services/funeral home services. Visit our offices in Florida or call one of our locations.
