NBE Review: Merchandising

Air seal

A method of closure that utilizes the air pressure created by placing the dome of the vault onto the base of the vault, often called the diving bell principle.

Air tray

A transfer container consisting of a wooden tray with a cardboard covering for the casket.

Alternative container

An enclosure for human remains in preparation for cremation, composed of an appropriate combustible material.

Apron

The lining attached to the undersurface of the foot panel of the casket and/or a component part of the throw (overlay).

Arm

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

Average (mean)

The sum of a group of numbers divided by the number of units.

Axed

(steeled, frosted) A smooth non-polished finish for stone monuments and markers achieved by sandblasting a polished finish with steel shot or other abrasives.

Bail handle

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

Bar

A part of the casket handle attached to the lug or arm and held by a casket bearer when moving and positioning a casket.

Base

The lower or supporting part of a monument.

Base molding

Molding along the lowermost edge of the body panels.

Bed

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

Bench

A type of cemetery memorial consisting of a top piece supported by two standards.

Bevel top marker

A small headstone, set above ground, with a slanting top.

Bier

A stand on which a casket is placed for funeral service display.

Bi-unit pricing

A method of price quotation showing separately the price of the service to be rendered and the price of the casket.

Block

A subdivision of a cemetery containing several lots.

Body

The lower 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 where the gasket is placed on gasketed caskets.

Body lining

Material which drapes the inside perimeter of the body of the casket.

Body panels

Compose the sides and ends of the casket shell.

Bridge

(header, cap filler) Component part of the cap on half couch caskets that provides support at the point of the transverse cut.

Broadcloth

A twilled, napped, woolen or worsted fabric with a smooth lustrous face and dense texture.

Bronze

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

Brushed finish

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

Burial casket

A casket for interring or entombing human remains.

Cap (lid)

The upper portion of the casket shell, including the ogee, crown, pie, and header.

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.

Dome

The top of a metal air seal burial vault which entraps air as it is put in position; it also supports the weight of the earth above.

Domesticated

As related to animals, one that has been tamed and disciplined by human beings for personal companionship.

Double seal

A method of closure that utilizes the principle of the air seal in conjunction with an epoxy material at the junction of the dome and the base of a metal burial vault.

Ear (lug)

The part of the casket handle attached to the casket body.

Educational group

See demonstration group.

Elliptic

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

Embossed

Material having designs raised above the surface; frequently seen on cloth covered caskets.

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.

Environmentally friendly (green, natural)

Eco-friendly approach that utilizes products, services and merchandise that are free of toxic/hazardous materials, are biodegradable or that minimize use of energy.

Epitaph

An inscription placed on a monument to commemorate the deeds or qualities of the deceased.

Excelsior (wood wool)

Wood that has been shredded into spaghetti-like strings.

Exclusivity discount

An agreement whereby a purchaser agrees to purchase goods or services from one seller, exclusive of all others, in exchange for a reduction in the per-unit cost for such goods or services.

Extendover

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

Ferrous metal

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

Fiberboard

See composition board.

Fiberglass

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

Fishtail (Pie)

The wedge-shaped portion of the cap (lid) at each end of a casket.

Fixed dollar amount

Pricing method in which the same dollar amount is added to the wholesale cost of merchandise.

Fixed multiple

Pricing method whereby the casket cost is multiplied by a constant factor.

Flaring square

A casket shell design in which the sides and ends of the casket body flare out from the bottom to the top.

Flat finish (Matte finish)

A finish used on casket exteriors free of gloss; a dull, lusterless surface.

Fluorescent lighting

The illumination produced by a tubular electric discharge lamp; the fluorescence of phosphors coating the inside of a tube.

Flush marker

A headstone which is set parallel with the surrounding terrain.

Fold (gimp)

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.

Foot panel

A component part of the casket interior, which is inside the foot cap.

Fractional display

Use of portions of caskets in the selection room vs. full sized caskets.

Full Couch

A cap opening style in which the rim (ogee), crown, and pies are formed with a transverse cut in the cap, thereby forming a two-piece lid for the casket.

Functional pricing

A method of price quotation in which the charges are broken down into several major component parts such as professional services, facilities, automobile and merchandise.

Funeral ceremony

A service commemorating the deceased with the body present.

Memorial park

A cemetery or section of a cemetery with only flush to the ground type markers.

Memorial service

A ceremony commemorating the deceased without the body present.

Merchandising

The purchasing, pricing, display, and sale of goods and services.

Metal case (Ziegler case)

A gasketed container, which can be used as an insert in a casket or as a separate shipping container.

Mode

The value that occurs most frequently in a group of numbers.

Monolith

A single massive stone or rock, or a large piece of stone or rock, placed as a monument or marker in a cemetery or other place of remembrance.

Monument

A structure, usually of stone or metal, erected to commemorate the life, deeds, or career of a deceased person; derived from the Latin word meaning 'to remind.'

Natural (green)

See Environmentally friendly.

Natural lighting

Illumination by the sun.

Niche

A recess or space in a columbarium used for the permanent placing of cremated remains.

Non-ferrous metal

Any metal not formed from iron.

Octagon

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

Ogee (rim)

The 'S' shaped molding component of a casket cap.

Ogee flange (rim flange)

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

Ossuary

Receptacle for communal placement of cremated and/or skeletal remains.

Outer burial container

Any container designed for placement in a grave to surround and safeguard a casket or urn, including burial vaults, grave boxes, and grave liners.

Overlay (overthrow, throw)

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

Package pricing

A pricing method using a single dollar amount to identify the charge for a group or bundle of goods and/or services.

Plastic

Synthetic or natural organic polymers shaped when soft and then hardened.

Plastic extrusion molding

A method of forming items by injecting molten plastic into a die.

Plated finish

The finish created when base metal is coated by another metal via an electrolytic process; often found on casket hardware.

Plush

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

Plywood

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

Polished

A smooth, glass-like appearance for stone monuments and markers achieved by running rough to fine grit diamond polishing wheels over the surface.

Polymer

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

Pouch

A leak resistant zippered bag designed to contain a dead human body and body fluids.

Price quotation

Method by which prices are explained to the consumer.

Priest casket (slip panel)

A casket opening style in which the cap or lid at the head of the casket is completely removed for the purpose of viewing.

Quantity discount

An incentive or inducement for a purchaser that will reduce the per-unit cost for goods or services when purchases reach a larger number of quantities.

Range

The difference between the upper and lower limits of a series of numbers.

Rebate

The return of a portion of a payment.

Rental casket insert

A cremation container designed to encase human remains while placed in the shell of a rental casket.

Rock pitch

A rough rock finish for stone monuments and markers created by splitting or breaking the stone.

Sales frequency

The number of times sales in a given price bracket occur over a fixed period of time.

Satin finish

A low-luster finish used on casket exteriors that is smooth; with well defined, fine lines or striations.

Scattering garden

A section in a cemetery set aside for the scattering of cremated remains.

Section

A subdivision of a cemetery containing several blocks.

Semi-gloss finish

A medium luster finish used on casket exteriors.

Shell

The basic exterior of a casket, including the cap (lid) upper portion and body lower portion.

Shroud

A cloth or garment in which human remains are wrapped for burial.

Single hinged panel

A casket in which the cap is in two pieces.

Slant marker

A cemetery marker that has a face and has an angle greater than 45 degrees but less than 90 degrees in relationship to the terrain.