Casket Opening and Closure Methods

Castet methods determine:

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

Closure methods vary but will fall under one or two broad categories:

- Gasketed

- Non-gasketed

Gasketed casket components:

1) Gasket

2) Hinges

3) Locking mechanism

- End lock

- Side/front lock

- Lever lock

Single molded piece of rubber along top body molding flange:

Gasket

An additional gasket is necessary on the:

Perfection half couch and is located along the header flange of the foot cap

Connect the cap to the body of the casket shell:

Hinges

They are located within the parameter of the gasket ensuring that they will not come in contact with the underground elements:

Hinges

What ensures the integrity of the hinge and ultimately the "seal" achieved in a gasketed casket:

Why is it important to know which locking mechanisms are on a casket?

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

Uses a slide or travel bar within the top body molding:

End lock

For locking an end lock, a ____________ is inserted into a portal at the foot end of the casket

Hex (casket) key

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:

Side (front) lock

Requires no hex key, but rather a lever permanently affixed to the top body molding which is turned to lock the cap:

Lever lock

It is not nearly discreet as the end or side locking mechanism:

Lever lock

A simple spring-loaded latching mechanism:

Latch closure

Some can be worked with the fingers but others may require a hex key:

Latch closure

A screw type fastener used to close hinged-cap caskets:

Threaded fasteners

A thumbscrew extends from the crown into the ogee, where it is received by a threaded metal sleeve:

Threaded fasteners

An epoxy, such as butyl tape, used to function as a "gasket":

Chemical compounds

- Sealed by fusion or soldering

- It is airtight and impervious to external influences

Hermitically sealed

Non-gasketed closure methods:

1) Latch closure

2) Threaded fasteners

3) Chemical compounds

4) Hermitically sealed

Cap opening styles:

1) Perfection full-couch

2) Perfection half-couch

3) Single hinged panel

4) Slip panel (clergy/priests casket)

Historically, the _________ was hinged independently of the crown and would fold outward and downward

Ogee

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

Perfection style casket

Caskets today are usually:

Perfection style casket

In perfection style casket, the cap is defined as including the:

- Ogee

- Crown

- Pie

- Header

The entire lid is molded as one piece:

Perfection full-couch

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

Perfection full-couch

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

Perfection full-couch

Characterized by a transverse cut through the cap:

Perfection half-couch

The split results in a two piece cap:

Perfection half-couch

Characterized by having a crown only that is hinged:

Single-hinged panel

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

Single-hinged panel

Offers only a small or limited viewing area:

Single-hinged panel

Also referred to as the Priests or Clergy Casket:

Slip panel

Characterized by the complete removal of the head panel from the cap:

Slip panel

It is not hinged but is attached by wooden pegs or dowels:

Slip panel

The average "inside" casket dimensions for metal caskets:

78" long x 23" wide and 16-24" high

6'6" x 1'1"

The average "inside" casket dimensions for wood caskets:

75" long x 22" wide and 16-22" high

6'3" x 1'10"

1980s obesity rate:

47%

1990s obesity rate:

56%

2000s obesity rate:

64%

What should you do before choosing making arrangements and choosing a casket?

Look at the remains and see the size of a person

Caskets that are oversize or larger than the average casket increase _____ inches in width

2

Caskets that are oversize or larger than the average casket increase _____ inches in length

3

Caskets that are oversize or larger than the average casket each have each increase represented by __________ after the size

X

Vendors are "tweaking" average sizes to:

Adapt to trends

Oversize caskets may require an oversize ____________ which in turn may require the purchase of additional grave space

Vault

The increase in the size of infant caskets _________ in length up to ________

6"; 5"

for the increase of infant caskets, width will:

Adjust in portion to length

For infant caskets, dimensions vary greatly beginning as small as _______ in length

12"

Which caskets are sold at a much higher rate for infant and children's caskets:

Polymer

Many vault companies offer what is called the _______________ for infant/children; which is a casket-vault combination which is chemically sealed by using butyl tape

"Combo" unit

Children 4' or taller will go in:

Adult casket