Abstract: A casket shell assembly and method provide for covering an economical or plain casket with a reusable decorative shell. The assembly includes a casket and a shell. The shell has a perimeter wall, an open top, and an open bottom. The shell receives the casket through the open top. A lip coupled to the perimeter wall of the shell supports the casket when the casket is inserted into the shell. A lid is coupled to the perimeter wall selectively covering the open top of the shell when the lid is in a closed position. A plurality of straps is positioned in the shell extending between the shell and the casket. Each of the straps has opposite free ends extendable through the open top of the shell for facilitating lifting of the casket from the shell.