Chapter 12 Funeral Service Marketing

Bronze

a metal alloy consisting of 90% copper with tin and sometimes zinc comprising the other 10%.

Casket

a rigid container which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, or like material and ornamented and lined with fabric.

Cast bronze

molten bronze poured into a mold and allowed to cool.

Cast hardware

the most expensive hardware production method in which molten metal is poured into a mold, allowed to cool, and is then removed from the mold.

Coffin

a case or receptacle for dead human remains which is anthropoidal in shape.

Composition board

particles of wood bonded together with waterproof glue; the different types are distinguished by the size and shape of the particles of wood used.

Copper

a malleable, ductile, metallic element having a characteristic reddish-brown color.

Copper deposit

a casket made from a core of copper metal to which copper ions are combined by an electrolytic process.

Ferrous metal

any metal formed from iron (steel or stainless steel).

Galvanized

steel that has been coated with zinc for increased resistance to rust.

Gauge

a measurement of the thickness of metals; the number of sheets of metal necessary to equal approximately one inch of thickness.

Hardware

the handles, ornamental fixtures, and their fittings that are attached to the casket shell.

Hardwood

any tough, heavy timber with a compact texture; any deciduous tree.

Laminates

made by uniting superimposed layers of different materials.

Non-ferrous metal

any metal which is not formed from iron.

Plastic extrusion molding

a method of molding plastic by injecting molten plastic into a die.

Plywood

thin sheets of wood glued together so that the grains are at right angles to one another.

Polymer

a compound, similar in appearance to plastic, that has a high molecular weight creating an extremely durable substance.

Salix (Select hardwood)

a casket constructed from many different species of wood (ex: poplar, cottonwood).

Softwood

any light, easily cut wood; cone-bearing or coniferous.

Solid Wood

a product that, excepting some hardware components, is made from lumber cut into boards from the trunk of a tree.

Stainless steel

a metal alloy of steel, chromium, and sometimes nickel which is used in casket construction.

Stamped hardware

a hardware production method of lesser expense whereby the casket hardware sections are pressed out on a hydraulic press.

Steel

a metal alloy consisting mainly of iron and carbon; used in caskets it is low in carbon which keeps it soft (mild) and malleable.

Wood veneer

created by gluing a thin layer of wood of superior value or excellent grain to an inferior wood.

Wrought bronze

bronze metal rolled into sheets.

Wrought copper

copper metal rolled into sheets.

Apron

the lining attached to the undersurface of the foot panel of the casket and/or a component part of the throw (overlay) which extends downward into the body of the casket.

Arm

the part of the casket handle that attaches the bar to the lug (ear).

Bail handle

a single handle in which the lug, arm, and bar are combined in one unit.

Bar

that part of the casket handle, attached to the lug or arm, which is grasped by the casket bearers.

Base molding

molding along the lowermost edge of the body panels.

Bed

the portion of the casket upon which the deceased human remains are placed.

Body

that portion of the casket shell containing the top body molding, body panel, base molding, and casket bottom.

Body ledge (top body molding)

a molding along the uppermost edge of the body panels.

Body ledge flange (top body molding flange)

the horizontal portion of the top body molding (body ledge) where the gasket is placed on gasketed caskets.

Body lining

material that drapes the inside perimeter of the body of the casket.

Body panels

compose the sides and ends of the casket shell.

Cap (lid)

the topmost part of the casket shell, including the ogee, crown, pie, and header.

Cap panel

the focal part of the interior which fills the inside of the crown, sometimes bordered by the roll (cove); may be referred to as the panel.

Casket Liner

a removable metal unit that is placed inside a wooden casket shell to provide protective qualities.

Composition board (particle board, pressed board, fiberboard, hardboard)

particles of wood bonded together with waterproof flue; the different types are distinguished by the size and shape of the particles of wood used.

Corner

an optional part of the hardware that is attached to the four corners of the body panel.

Crepe

a thin crinkled cloth of silk, rayon, cotton, or wool.

Crown (swell)

the uppermost part of the cap, extending from rim to rim; everything above the rim.

Crushed interior

a form of casket interior created by placing the lining material on a metal form, weights added, the material steamed, and then attached to a suitable upholstery (backing) material.

Excelsior (wood wool)

wood that has been shredded into spaghetti-like strings.

Extendover

the portion of the casket interior which extends over the top body molding (body ledge) for aesthetic value.

Foot panel

a component part of the casket interior that is inside the foot portion of the cap.

Gasket channel

found on cut top gasketed caskets; is an integral part of the foot panel header on gasketed caskets; the function is to hold the transverse gasket to seal the space between the head and foot caps.

Gimp (fold)

a strip of metal, plastic, or cloth that is attached to the inside of the panel, covering the area at which point the roll (cove) is anchored.

Head panel

a component part of the casket interior that is inside the head portion of the cap; no distinction is made between the head panel and foot panel in full couch caskets.

Header (Cap Filler; Bridge)

a component part of cap/lid that is constructed into caskets that display a cut top; provides strength/rigidity at the point of transverse cut.

Header Flange

the turned under edge or horizontal portion of the header.

Hinge cover (hinge skirt)

that portion of the casket interior covering the hinges that attach the casket cap to the casket body; usually extends from the roll and becomes a part of the body lining.

Inner panels

functional or ornamental covering that usually covers the foot end of the casket in the full couch casket; may be located at both the head and foot of the full couch casket.

Linen

a fabric made from flax; noted for its strength, coolness, and luster.

Linen weave

a fabric woven to look like linen used as a casket lining material.

Lug (ear)

the part of the casket handle that is attached to the casket body.

Masselin

pressed paper in sheet form; used in casket construction as a backing (upholstery) material.

Mattress cover

interior cloth or material which covers the mattress or bedding of the casket.

Ogee (rim)

an 'S' shaped molding that is a component part of the casket cap.

Overlay (overthrow, throw)

the aesthetic covering for the foot cap or inner foot panel of the casket.

Perfection full couch

a casket in which the rim (ogee), crown, and pies are formed as one unit and which raises as one piece.

Perfection half couch

a casket in which the rim (ogee, crown, and pies is formed as one unit with a transverse cut in the cap, forming a two-piece lid for the casket.

Pie (fishtail)

the wedge-shaped portion of the cap (lid) at each end of the crown.

Plastic

a synthetic or natural organic material shaped when soft and then hardened.

Rim flange (ogee flange)

the turned under edge or horizontal portion of the rim that comes into contact with the gasket or body ledge flange (top body molding flange).

Roll (cove, puffing)

a component part of the casket interior that lines the rim (ogee) and surrounds the cap panel.

Satin

a fabric woven to create a smooth lustrous face and a dull back.

Semi-tailored interior

a combination of a tailored interior with one or more other styles of interior, for effect.

Shirred interior

a style of casket interior in which the material is drawn or gathered in parallel fashion in a multiple needle head sewing process.

Shell

the component parts of the casket comprised of the cap (lid) and body of the casket.

Stationary bar

a non-moveable casket handle.

Swing bar

a moveable casket handle with a hinged arm.

Tailored interior

a tightly drawn form of casket interior style.

Tip

the decorative or ornamental part of the casket handle that covers the exposed ends of the bar.

Tufted interior

a style of casket interior created by placing a padding material between a lining material and a backing material, with subsequent stitches taken, forming small raised puffs; carriage tufting and biscuit tufting are the two most common types used in caskets.

Twill weave

a textile weave in which threads are crossed over one another to give an appearance of diagonal lines.

Velvet

a fabric of silk, cotton, and possibly rayon, with a nap.

Broadcloth

a twilled, napped, woolen, or worsted fabric with a smooth lustrous face and dense texture; a fabric usually made of cotton, silk, or rayon woven in a plain or rib weave with a soft semi-gloss finish.

Brushed finish

bare metal is scratched with abrasive material and then finished until a smooth high gloss is obtained.

Corrugated container

a container 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.

Crinkled finish

an exterior casket finish in which the metal is coated with a substance that wrinkles as it dries; usually used on less expensive caskets.

Doeskin (moleskin)

a heavy durable cotton fabric with a short (1/8th inch or less), thick, velvety nap on one side; woven cloth with a suede-like appearance with a nap of less than 1/8th inch.

Elliptic

a casket having ends in the shape of a half-circle.

Embossed

to ornament with raised work; to raise relief from the surface; material having designs raised above the surface.

Engineered Wood

a range of derivative wood products which are manufactured by binding together wood strands, particles, fibers, or veneers with adhesives to form composite materials.

Fiberglass

a material consisting of extremely fine filaments of glass embedded in various resins.

Flaring square

a casket shell design in which the sides and ends of the casket body flare out from the bottom to the top; a casket shell design that is narrower and shorter at the bottom than at the opening of the top.

Flat finish (Matte finish)

a finish used on casket exteriors that is free of gloss: dull lusterless surface: no shine or gloss.

Hammertone finish

a sprayed finish that has the appearance of small indentations in the metal (as if struck by a ball-peen hammer); the 'indentations' are in the paint and appear as the paint dries; usually found on inexpensive caskets.

Hermetically Sealed

airtight; impervious to external influence; completely sealed by fusion or soldering.

Octagon

a casket having eight angles or corners and therefore has eight sides or body panels.

Plastic extrusion molding

a method of molding plastic by injecting molten plastic into a die

Plated finish

the finish created when the base metal is coated by another metal via an electrolytic process; often found on casket hardware; in casket construction is identified by the term 'deposit,' as in `copper deposit.'

Plush

a woven cloth with a nap exceeding 1/8th inch

Polished finish

a surface made smooth and glossy usually by friction; brought to a highly developed, finished, or refined state; burnished.

Priest Casket (slip panel)

a casket opening style in which the cap or lid at the head end of the casket is completely removed from the casket for viewing; the remains may be viewed from either side of the casket.

Rental casket

a casket which is used as a temporary receptacle for the 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.