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 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 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 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 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 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: 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 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 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: 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 reusable metal casket is configured to receive a tray supporting the deceased. The casket includes a base, having a head end, a first side, a second side, and a foot end, and a lid. The lid is rotatably coupled to the first side or the second side. The foot end is rotatable relative to a bottom of the casket to enable insertion and removal of the tray. The head end and the foot end include curved corners. Accordingly, the interfaces between the head end and the foot end and the first side and the second side are formed separately from the curved corners.

Abstract: A reusable metal casket is configured to receive a tray supporting the deceased. The casket includes a base, having a head end, a first side, a second side, and a foot end, and a lid. The lid is rotatably coupled to the first side or the second side. The foot end is rotatable relative to a bottom of the casket to enable insertion and removal of the tray. The head end and the foot end include curved corners. Accordingly, the interfaces between the head end and the foot end and the first side and the second side are formed separately from the curved corners.

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 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 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 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.