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 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 includes two side panel structures, two end panels, and a bottom panel. Each end panel is operably coupled to both of the side panel structures. The bottom panel, the two side panel structures and two end panels form, at least in part, a casket container configured to receive adult human remains. Each side panel structure includes a fixed member and a movable member. Each movable member is coupled to one of the fixed members such that each movable member is rotatable relative to the fixed members between a first position and a second position. When each of the movable members is in the first position, the outer surfaces of the movable member and the fixed member are substantially coplanar. When each of the movable members is in the second position, the outer surfaces of the movable member and fixed member are not substantially coplanar.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a deceased includes a casket and a panel. The casket fits the dimensions of a human deceased, and includes bottom and side panels. The panel is disposed in the casket, and includes a head portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of hinges. The head portion contacts a head end of the casket. The bottom portion is coupled to the casket bottom. The hinges are disposed between the head portion and the bottom portion of the panel. The panel is movable between first and second configurations using the hinges. In the first configuration the panel is configured to support at least a portion of the human deceased at a first distance from the casket bottom, and in the second configuration at least the portion of the human deceased is spaced closer to the casket bottom. The first distance is greater than the second distance.

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 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 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 and a first side panel and a second side panel configured to be partially received within the base. The casket assembly also includes a first rail fixedly coupled to an inside of the first side panel and a second rail fixedly coupled to an inside of the second side panel. The casket assembly further includes a lid configured to be supported by the first rail and the second rail. The first side panel forms at least a first portion of a head end of the casket assembly and a first side of the casket assembly. The second side panel forms at least a first portion of the foot end of the casket assembly, and a second side of the casket assembly.

Abstract: A method for use with a casket arrangement having a first configuration and a second configuration includes moving the casket arrangement while in the second configuration, changing the casket arrangement from the second configuration to the first configuration, and moving remains of a deceased disposed within the casket arrangement while in the first configuration. The casket arrangement includes a bottom panel and intrinsically formed side panels and end panels. The side panels and end panels include upper portions that extend upward and connect in the first configuration, and which extend in a direction other than upward in the second configuration.

Abstract: A reel assembly includes a core, two flanges, and two end stands. The core defines a longitudinal axis and has two ends. Each of the flanges is coupled to one of the ends of the core, and at least one of the flanges includes a lock receiver. Each of the end stands is coupled to one flange, and at least one of the end stands includes a lock insert. The lock insert is configured to be inserted into the lock receiver in an axial direction. When the lock insert is within the lock receiver, contact between the lock insert and the lock receiver generates a frictional force against movement of the flanges relative to the end stands in a rotational direction orthogonal to the axial direction.

Abstract: A casket assembly includes a bottom panel, side panels, flaps and end panels. The bottom panel is formed of a pliable material. The side panels and end panels are coupled to the bottom panel. Each side panel includes a lower section and an upper section foldably attached thereto. The lower section extends vertically upward from the bottom panel. In a first configuration, the upper section extends upward from the lower section. In a second configuration, the upper section extends downward from a top of the lower section. In a third configuration, the upper section extends in a non-vertical direction from the top of the lower section. The flaps extend laterally from each end of the upper section. The flaps in the first configuration extend upward from a first vertical level defined by the top portion of the lower section, and in the second configuration extend downward from the first vertical level.

Abstract: A casket and lid combination includes a casket body and a lid. The casket body has an interior defined by a bottom, pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls arranged perpendicular to said side walls, the side walls and end wall extending upwardly from the bottom. The lid covers the interior when installed, and includes a top, a first side extending downwardly from the top, and second side extending downwardly from the top opposite the first side, at least one end extending downwardly from the top perpendicular to the first side and the second side, a first hinge for attaching the first side to the top, and a second hinge for attaching the second side to the top. When the end is not attached to the lid, the first side and second side may be folded inwardly toward a centerline of the top such that the top may be place directly on the casket body with the folded in sides located within the interior of the casket body.

Abstract: A casket system includes a casket container and a height adjustment mechanism. The casket container has a bottom, a head end panel, a foot end panel, and rollers supported by the bottom. The height adjustment mechanism includes a threaded shaft, a worm nut, and a crossbar. The threaded shaft extends at least partly in the vertical direction. The shaft is rotatably coupled to the casket container proximate the head end panel. The worm nut is rigidly secured to the crossbar. The worm nut rotatably engages the threaded shaft and translates rotational movement into axial movement along the shaft. The crossbar includes spaced-apart extensions extending from an edge thereof away from the head end panel. The spaced-apart extensions are configured to contact and engage a casket insert that is sized and configured to receive a deceased. The axial movement of the worm nut causes the crossbar to move vertically with respect to the head end panel.

Abstract: A casket assembly includes side panels, head and foot end panels, a bottom panel and at least a first corner element fixedly coupled to a foot end panel. The side panels are arranged opposite and parallel to each other. The head end panel is coupled between the first side panel and the second side panel. The bottom panel is coupled to the side panels and head end panel. The foot end panel is hingedly coupled to the bottom panel opposite the head end panel such that the foot end panel has open and closed positions. The first corner element defines first and second inner surfaces. The first inner surface extends along the foot end panel. The second inner surface abuts an outer surface of the side panel when the foot end panel is closed, and is spaced apart from the side panel when the foot end panel is open.

Abstract: A casket includes a container configured to receive a deceased, the container including a bottom and sides defining at least a part of a casket interior. The casket further includes a lid disposed on the container to cover the casket interior. The lid is formed from a corrugated paperboard blank folded into a lid structure. The lid structure includes a top panel, at least two side panels and at least one end panel, and a plurality of supports extending to a height of the side panels. Each of the corner supports includes at least a first panel extending diagonally from a first location proximate one of the side panels to a second location proximate the at least one end panel. The first panel has a first length corresponding to the height of the side panels.

Abstract: A casket lid assembly includes lower rails, upper rails, side panels and a top panel. Each lower rail has a lower surface configured to be received on a respective side of a casket base, and has an upper side that includes an angled notch. Each of the upper rails includes a first notch and a second notch. Each of the side panels has a first edge received within the angled notch of a respective lower rail, and an opposite second edge received within the first notch of the respective upper rail. The top panel has a first edge received within the second notch of the first upper rail and an opposite second edge received within the second notch of the second upper rail.

Abstract: A casket lid assembly includes a plurality of layers of corrugated paper and a bridge assembly. The plurality of layers of corrugated paper are formed into a lid structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end, Thea bridge assembly is attached to the second end of a casket lid. The bridge assembly includes two end pieces and at least one intermediate piece, and wherein the at least one intermediate piece is configured to be removably attached to the end pieces.

Abstract: A casket lid insert module is constructed as a complete insert separate from the casket lid and is later inserted into the casket lid as a single complete piece. The module includes a base panel, four roll panels, and a center panel. The roll panels are each attached to the back side of the base panel, curved to form a roll shape, and then also attached to the front side of the base panel. The center panel is then affixed directly to the base panel between the four roll panels. The center panel is preferably affixed to the base panel using hook and loop (aka Velcro) attachments.