FMIII Casket opening and closure methods

What do casket closure methods determine?

The level of protection that a specific casket affords the dead human body in subsoil conditions

What are the two broad categories that casket closure methods fall under?

• Gasketed

• Non-gasketed

What three components do gasketed caskets have?

1. Gasket

2. Hinges

3. Locking Mechanism

What types of locking mechanisms can gasketed caskets have?

• End lock

• Side/Front lock

• Lever lock

Define gasket

Single molded piece of rubber along top body molding flange

When is an additional transverse gasket needed and where is it located?

On the perfection half couch and is located along the header flange of the foot cap.

Define hinges

Connect the cap to the body of the casket shell

Where are the hinges located on a gasketed casket?

They are located within the parameter of the gasket, ensuring that the hinge will not come in contact with the underground elements. This insures the integrity of the hinge and ultimately the “seal” achieved in a gasketed casket

What do locking mechanisms do?

Locks the cap to the body

Why is it important to know what kind of locking mechanism is on a casket?

So you know what you need to do to close the casket, especially in front of a crowd!

What are the types of locking mechanisms on gasketed caskets?

• End lock

• Side (front) lock

• Lever lock

Describe a end lock locking mechanism

Uses a slide or travel bar within the top body molding. A hex (casket) key is inserted into a portal at the foot end of the casket.

• Only on gasketed caskets

Describe a side (front) lock locking mechanism

A slide or travel bar is used in similar fashion to the end lock but the portal opening is located on the front (viewing) side of the casket.

• Only on gasketed caskets

Describe a lever lock locking mechanism

Requires no hex key, but rather a lever permanently affixed to the top body molding which is turned to lock the cap. It is not nearly as discreet as the end or side locking mechanisms.

• Only on gasketed caskets

What are the locking mechanisms on non-gasketed caskets?

• Latch closure

• Threaded fasteners

• Chemical Compounds

• Hermitically sealed

Describe the latch closure locking mechanism

A simple spring-loaded latching mechanism. Some latch closures can be worked with the fingers but others may require a hex key.

• Only on non-gasketed caskets

Describe the threaded fasteners locking mechanism

A screw type fastener used to close hinged-cap caskets. A thumbscrew extends from the crown into the ogee, where it is received by a threaded metal sleeve.

• Only on non-gasketed caskets

Describe the chemical compounds locking mechanism

An epoxy, such as butyl tape, used to function as a “gasket”.

• Only on non-gasketed caskets

Describe the hermitically sealed locking mechanism

Sealed by fusion or soldering. It is airtight and impervious to external influences.

What does cap opening style refer to?

to the manner in which the cap is opened.

List the four cap opening styles

1. Perfection Full-Couch

2. Perfection Half-Couch

3. Single Hinged Panel

4. Slip Panel (Clergy/Priests Casket)

Historically, how did casket caps open?

The ogee was hinged independently of the crown and would fold outward and downward.

On the perfection style casket how does the cap open?

The ogee is attached to the crown and part of the cap of the casket.

Caskets today are usually _____________________

perfection half-couch

What is the cap defined as?

as including the ogee, crown, pie and header

Describe a perfection full couch

Characterized by the open full cap or lid exposing the body from head to toe for viewing purposes.

• The entire lid is molded as one piece.

• Sometimes an insert panel/inner panel covers the foot portion of the deceased.

Describe a perfection half couch

Characterized by a transverse cut through the cap.

• The split results in a two piece cap

• Some casket companies will have a 50-50 split in the cap, some may have a 40-60 split

• Historically, there was less viewing room

Describe a single hinged panel

 Characterized by having a crown only that is hinged.

• The ogee or rim does not raise with the crown when the cap is opened.

• Offers only a small or limited viewing area.

Describe a slip-panel

 Also referred to as the Priests or Clergy Casket.

• Characterized by the complete removal of the head panel from the cap.

• It is not hinged but is attached by wooden pegs or dowels.

What are the average inside casket dimensions of a metal casket?

78” Long x 23” Wide & 16-24” High (6’6” x 1’11”)

What are the average inside casket dimensions of a wood casket?

75” Long X  22” Wide & 16-22” High (6’3”  X  1’10”)

What are the average outside casket dimensions?

 84” Long X  29” Wide (7’  X  2’5”)

What part of the casket do you measure to see if the deceased will fit?

The inside where the elbows are going to lay

Which part of the deceased do you typically measure?

From elbow to elbow

What about measuring a casket to determine if it will fit into a burial vault?

Measure the outside of the casket and the inside of the vault

Why is it important to measure decedents, caskets, and vaults?

To make sure people will fit in their caskets and that their caskets will fit in their vaults comfortably.

Due to the growing rates of obesity, what does this mean to us as funeral directors?

LOOK AT THE REMAINS BEFORE MAKING ARRANGEMENTS!!!

Caskets that are oversize or larger than the average casket increase:

• Two inches in width

• Three inches in length

How is an increase in casket size represented?

Each increase is represented by an X after the size

 Oversize caskets may require an oversize vault which in turn may require the purchase of what?

An additional grave space.

How much has a wood casket with an OS marking of 6/6X been increased?

Just by 3 inches in length and 2 inches wide, so the new dimensions will be 78×24 (standard wood casket size is 75×22)

The increase in the size of infant caskets:

• 6” in length up to 5’

• Width will adjust in proportion to length

For infant caskets what is the average size?

There’s not a definite average, dimensions vary greatly beginning as small as 12” in length

What materials are used for child casket construction?

Materials will be the same as adult casket construction materials, however, polymer caskets are sold at a much higher rate for infant and children’s caskets.

What do most vault companies offer concerning infant/child caskets?

A “Combo” unit; a casket-vault combination which is chemically sealed by using butyl tape.

 Children______years old or older will go in an _______casket

12, adult

Children ___ or taller will go in an adult casket

4’