Caskets

Most metal caskets are made from rolled steel of varying gauges - the lower the gauge,
the thicker the steel. Some metal caskets come with a warranty for longevity. Wooden
caskets generally are not gasketed and don't have a warranty for longevity.
They can be hardwood like mahogany, walnut, cherry, or oak, or softwood like pine.
Pine caskets are a less expensive option, but seldom are the least expensive option..
Manufacturers of both wooden and metal caskets usually warrant workmanship and
materials.

There are many different types of metal caskets, and each type has its unique features
and advantages.
Bronze, copper, and stainless stee l are considered semi-precious metals. Bronze and
copper are listed in weight per square foot, such as 32-ounce copper.
Steel caskets are categorized based on the thickness of the material used (e.g.,
16-gauge steel, 18-gauge steel, and 20-gauge steel.
Features of Metal Caskets (from Batesville Casket Company)
The bottoms and sides of stainless and carbon steel caskets are electronically fused
together with 19 feet of continuous seam weld. This type of weld adds to the strength of
the product and enhances the protective qualities of caskets. The brushing process
features hand craftsmanship which results in the finest finish available in casket
manufacturing.
Batesville's high gloss paint finish is achieved by implementing a wet sanding process,
which is similar to that used in the manufacturing of luxury automobiles. Aurora caskets
offer various grades of both velvet and crepe material which complement the quality and
overall appearance of every Batesville casket. Reversible interiors offer a variety of
appearances, which provides families with more personalized choices.
The locking mechanism, located in the center of the casket, provides a very simple but
effective closing system without compromising the exterior appearance of the casket.
Most caskets have a Memorial Record tube so the vital statistics of the deceased are
permanently kept with each unit.

The oldest material known to man makes it a natural and environmentally sound choice
when selecting a casket. Hardwood is also strong, beautiful, and shock-resistant. And
just as no two pieces of hardwood are exactly the same, each Batesville casket is
handcrafted of hardwood has its own, warming identity. Choosing a hardwood casket
also leaves a legacy for the next generation because wood is a renewable resource.

Accurately defined, hardwood is any wood derived from a leaf-bearing tree commonly
referred to as deciduous. The term "hardwood" shouldn't be confused with the reference
to the hardness of a wood's surface.

The Origin of Hardwood

The eastern seaboard of the United States has historically been a rich source of
premium hardwood timber. A renewable natural resource, American forests are closely
managed to ensure future availability and environmental safety. Prime stands of
hardwood forests are common to several states in the eastern United States, including
Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Pennsylvania.

Species

Ninety thousand species of hardwoods exist around the globe. As many as 4,000
species are adaptable for manufacturing purposes. Hardwood species are divided into
two distinct categories--open grain and close grain. Examples of open grain wood
species include oak and ash, while close grain species include maple and poplar.

Popular Hardwood Choices for Caskets

Premium Hardwoods
Mahogany
Walnut Standard Hardwoods
Oak
Maple Common Hardwoods
Poplar
Cherry

In Batesville Casket Company hardwood caskets, moldings are sculpted by hand and
the entire piece is hand-rubbed between multiple coats of lacquer. Hardwood caskets
are completed with a full-polished, hand-rubbed high gloss or satin finish.

Professional woodworkers, skilled in the art of cabinetry, follow many steps to ensure
that the quality of the final product is comparable to that of the finest furniture. These
craftsmen apply a wide variety of exterior finishes that accent the graining pattern that is
unique to each species of wood.

Batesville caskets offer various grades of both velvet and crepe material which
complement the quality and overall appearance of every Batesville casket. Reversible
interiors offer a variety of appearances, which provides families with more personalized
choices.

Most caskets have a Memorial Record tube so the vital statistics of the deceased are
permanently kept with each unit.

Batesville offers a wide variety of species and shell styles, which include a complete line
of orthodox products.

All Batesville hardwood caskets are suitable for cremation. A few specific features
include metal hardware that is easily removable from the outside and beds that are fully
combustible.

Batesville is conscious of both environmental concerns and overall cost saving
programs. Therefore we have instituted many recycling programs throughout our
manufacturing facilities and offices to reduce waste in any of our processes.