Colonial America & Caskets Glossary

Burial case

generic term used in America to designate all burial receptacles as new variations of the coffin were being offered.

Fisk metallic coffin

patented in 1848 as form-fitting, airtight metallic coffin designed to improve ability to preserve the body; also had a glass plate to allow for viewing of the face.

Funeral undertaker

provided services of organizing and facilitating funeral details as an occupation, aka undertaker, different from a furnishing undertaker

Furnishing undertaker

provided supplies and merchandise (i.e. door badges, carriages, etc.) to funeral directors who were dealing directly with the public

Inviter to funerals

a specialty connected with funerals in colonial America; called personally upon those expected to attend funerals; often a municipal appointment

Layers out of the dead

became an occupational specialty practiced by women in many larger US cities by the end of the 18th century

Life signals

Due to the fear of premature burial, many early American coffins were designed and patented with a method to alert the living if someone was buried alive

Ogee design

casket designed for President Ulysses S. Grant by Stein Coffin Co. in 1885 which helped elevate acceptance of cloth-covered caskets