Abstract: A cloth assembly for a casket includes a first fabric segment, a second fabric segment, and a substrate. The first fabric segment has a first length and a first width, and the second fabric segment having a second length and a second width. The substrate has a third length and a third width. The first lengthwise edge of the first fabric segment is secured to the substrate along the third length of the substrate, such that the second lengthwise edge of the first fabric segment can be disposed beyond at least one lengthwise edge of the substrate. The first lengthwise edge of the second fabric segment is secured to the substrate along the third length of the substrate, such that the second lengthwise edge of the second fabric segment can be disposed beyond the at least one lengthwise edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A folded blank includes a bottom panel, side panels, and end panels. The bottom panel has opposite side edges and opposite end edges defining a length and width sized to support a deceased human body in the supine position. The side panels are connected to the opposite side edges of the bottom panel, and extend outward from and substantially parallel to the bottom panel. The end panels are foldably connected to the opposite end edges of the bottom panel, and are folded to extend inward from the corresponding opposite end edges. The folded blank also includes at least one gusset foldably connected to a side panel along a first fold line and connected to an end panel along a second fold line. The gusset has a diagonal fold, and has a first surface disposed adjacent to and coupled to the side panel in an additional location away from the first fold line.

Abstract: A casket arrangement includes a casket base, panels extending upwardly from the casket base, and a receiver fixedly coupled to at least one of the panels. Each panel includes inwardly facing and outwardly facing surfaces. At least one of the panels includes an opening formed through the inwardly facing surface and the outwardly facing surface. A receiver or guard is fixedly coupled to the inwardly facing surface of the at least one of the panels at a portion of the inwardly facing surface that is vertically between the opening and the casket base. At least a portion of the receiver is vertically aligned with the opening and spaced apart from the inwardly facing surface.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric component includes arranging panels of fabric on a frame such that a first panel is in direct contact with the frame and a second panel is positioned on a side of the first panel opposite the frame. The method includes arranging the panels on the frame to cover an opening of the frame and a clamping surface of the frame that surrounds a perimeter of the opening. The method includes rotating a clamp about an axis from an open position to a closed position to hold the panels directly interposed between the clamp and the clamping surface. The method includes arranging the opening in an operating area of a programmable sewing machine, and operating the sewing machine to sew the panels together within the opening such that the panels form the fabric component. The method includes removing the fabric component from the frame.

Abstract: A funerary method includes disposing a deceased on an insert, the insert constructed primarily of paper material, and having side and end walls. At least one side wall and the end walls all have approximately the same height. The insert is provided on a tray having two end panels and a plurality of wood or metal side panels affixed to a bottom panel. The method also includes employing at least a first fabric segment to cover at least a portion of a top edge of at least one sidewall of the insert and at least a portion of the deceased human body, such that the deceased human body is sufficiently visible for identification. The method also includes later removing the insert and the deceased human body from the tray. A second insert having a second deceased human body is then disposed thereon on the tray.

Abstract: A method of making a pillow for use in a casket includes sewing a pillowcase having a main body portion and a narrowed portion such that the main body portion is closed along a perimeter except at the narrowed portion, and such that the narrowed portion projects from the perimeter, and such that the narrowed portion is open on two ends. The method further includes passing material through the two open ends of the narrowed portion into the main body portion. The method further includes folding fabric of the narrowed portion inwardly into the main body portion.

Abstract: A funerary insert kit is designed for used with a reusable shell. The insert kit includes a corrugated paper container and at least one fabric segment. The corrugated paper container includes a bottom wall, first and second side walls extending upward from the bottom wall, and first and second end walls extending upward from the bottom wall. The first and second sidewalls, the first and second end walls and bottom wall form an open top container having a width and length configured to reasonably fit an adult human body in supine position. The open top container is configured to fit within the reusable shell. The first fabric segment is affixed to a first rigid substrate. The first rigid substrate configured to fit adjacent an interior surface of at least a first side panel of the reusable shell.

Abstract: A casket assembly includes a base, and first and second fabric sheets. The base includes a bottom panel, first and second side panels, and first and second end panels. The base has a length and a width sized and adapted to receive a deceased. The first fabric sheet is operably coupled to the base such that the first fabric sheet extends along and adjacent to an inside surface of the first side panel and an edge of the first fabric sheet is movable. The first fabric sheet is sized and coupled to substantially cover a width of the bottom panel. The second fabric sheet is operably coupled to the base such that the second fabric sheet extends along and adjacent to an inside surface of the second side panel and an edge of the second fabric sheet is movable. The second fabric sheet is sized to substantially cover the width of the bottom panel.

Abstract: A pillow has adjustable compressibility and/or loft. The pillow includes a casing, an insert pad, and a support member. The insert pad is arranged within the casing. The insert pad includes a plurality of regions arranged atop one another to form a plurality of layers. The support member is arranged within the casing such that at least a portion of the support member is directly interposed between two layers of the insert pad and such that the support member is in direct contact with the two layers of the insert pad.

Abstract: A casket arrangement includes a casket base, panels extending upwardly from the casket base, and a receiver fixedly coupled to at least one of the panels. Each panel includes inwardly facing and outwardly facing surfaces. At least one of the panels includes an opening formed through the inwardly facing surface and the outwardly facing surface. A receiver or guard is fixedly coupled to the inwardly facing surface of the at least one of the panels at a portion of the inwardly facing surface that is vertically between the opening and the casket base. At least a portion of the receiver is vertically aligned with the opening and spaced apart from the inwardly facing surface.

Abstract: A casket assembly includes a base, a tray, and a lid. The base includes a bottom panel, first and second side panels, and first and second end panels configured as an open-top casket container formed of corrugated paper. The base includes rails coupled to and providing reinforcement to the side panels. Each of the rails has a bottom surface, a top surface, and an outer surface. The outer surface of each rail is adjoined to the corresponding side panel. The tray includes a bottom, two sides, and two ends. The tray sides are disposed between the bottom panel of the base and the bottom surface of one of the rails. The removable lid covers an interior of the base, and is disposed on the top surfaces of the rails.

Abstract: A center panel for a casket includes a backing panel, a pad, and a blackout panel. The backing panel includes a backing surface. The pad includes a lower pad surface and an upper pad surface. The lower pad surface is disposed on and is attached to the backing surface. The pad has a pad color or is configured to change to the pad color. The blackout panel includes a lower panel surface disposed on and attached to the upper pad surface, and has a first opacity that obstructs visibility of the pad color of the pad. The blackout panel also has a color that is lighter than the pad color. The backing panel, pad and blackout panel collectively have a shape and size configured to cover the area between decorative edge pieces of a casket lid.

Abstract: A casket assembly includes a base, a tray, and a lid. The base includes a bottom panel, first and second side panels, and first and second end panels configured as an open-top casket container formed of corrugated paper. The base includes rails coupled to and providing reinforcement to the side panels. Each of the rails has a bottom surface, a top surface, and an outer surface. The outer surface of each rail is adjoined to the corresponding side panel. The tray includes a bottom, two sides, and two ends. The tray sides are disposed between the bottom panel of the base and the bottom surface of one of the rails. The removable lid covers an interior of the base, and is disposed on the top surfaces of the rails.