Abstract: A self-supporting body support structure for a casket is provided. The body support structure is fabricated from a sheet of cardboard and comprises a planar body supporting portion having a pair of lateral edges and longitudinal supporting structure along each lateral edge of the body supporting portion for supporting the lateral edges of the body supporting portion above the bottom of the casket. Each longitudinal supporting structure is formed by folding a lateral edge portion of the cardboard sheet beneath the body supporting portion. A plurality of supports is spaced laterally between the longitudinal supporting structures and longitudinally along the length of the body supporting portion and supports the body supporting portion between the longitudinal supporting structures and along the length of the body supporting portion above the bottom of the casket. Each support is formed by folding a first tab potion of the cardboard sheet beneath the body supporting portion.

Abstract: A cardboard material casket including a cardboard material inner box having a bottom, two opposed sides and two opposed ends. A cardboard material outer wrap has an outer directed side with a finish different from a finish of the cardboard material inner box. The outer wrap has a bottom located below the bottom of the inner box. Side and end walls of the outer wrap extend from the bottom of the outer wrap up and over outer surfaces of the side and end walls of the inner box and then down and over inner surfaces of the side and end walls of the inner box. The outer directed surfaces of the bottom and side and end walls of the casket box and inner surfaces of the side and end walls of the casket box present the finish of the outer directed side of the outer wrap.

Abstract: A combination cremation urn display pedestal and cremation remains container comprises a decorative upstanding support, a turntable assembly mounted at an upper end of the support adapted to rotatably display a cremation urn thereon, and an openable and closable compartment adapted to contain cremation remains therein forming a part of the support. In a second aspect, a combination cremation urn display pedestal and cremation remains container comprises a decorative upstanding support adapted to display a cremation urn thereon, a light source within the support adapted to illuminate the cremation urn on the support, and an openable and closable compartment adapted to contain cremation remains therein forming a part of the support.

Abstract: A method of shipping a burial casket in a knocked-down configuration and subsequently assembling the casket at its point of destination comprises the steps of providing a kit of disassembled casket components assemblable into a casket having a shell and a cap, packing the kit of components into shipping container, shipping the packaged casket kit to a destination point, removing the kit from the container and assembling the casket from the kit utilizing at least a portion of the shipping container as an interior component of the casket. A casket comprises a shell and cap assembled from a kit shipped in knocked-down configuration, a body support structure positioned in the shell for supporting a body and a floor for the casket upon which to support the body support structure in the shell. The body support structure is formed from the bottom of an elongated, shallow, generally rectangular shipping carton in which the casket kit is shipped. The floor is formed from the top of the carton.

Abstract: A decorative cremation urn display pedestal comprises a lower base configured into a generally box-like structure and including four generally vertical side walls having abutting adjacent side edges, and a generally horizontal cremation urn-supporting top wall supported atop the side walls. A pair of shelf-supporting walls extend upwardly from the top wall and have abutting adjacent side edges, with each wall of the pair being generally parallel to a respective base side wall thereunder. At least one generally horizontal cremation urn-supporting shelf extends horizontally outward from the pair of shelf-supporting walls. The shelf corresponds in size and shape to the base top wall and is cantilevered horizontally outward from the pair of shelf-supporting walls by having a free unsupported corner positioned above a respective corner of the base top wall.

Abstract: A casket is assembled from prefabricated components to provide an attractive and aesthetically appealing casket design with a minimum amount of metal components so that the casket is adapted for cremation. A shell of the casket is constructed from upstanding sidewalls with a peripheral frame and facing panel secured to the frame. The respective walls are joined by cooperating cam and post connectors that they can be easily assembled without skilled personnel or specialized tooling. A cap enclosing the casket shell is constructed with a peripheral rim formed from rim members also joined by the cam and post connectors. A dish assembly is positioned on an inside surface of the cap and includes puffing members which are securely retained within cooperating grooves on the rim and dish assembly to thereby avoid the need for metal staples or other mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A decorative casket carrying and presentation tray comprises a pair of side rails, a pair of end rails connected between the side rails, and a cross rail connected between the pair of side rails intermediate the end rails. Pallbearer handles are slidable within the end and cross rails to and between concealed, inoperable positions and exposed, operable positions. A stop block is pivotable to each end rail to and between a concealed, inoperable position and an exposed, operable position. The tray is fabricated of decorative wood.

Abstract: Handling apparatus for a casket has a first member for applying a laterally inwardly directed force to a wall of the casket, a second member for applying laterally outwardly and upwardly directed forces to a lower edge of the casket, a third member interconnecting the first and second members, and a handle connected to one of the first, second and third members. When the handling apparatus is placed in contact with the casket lower edge and wall and the handle lifted upwardly a couple is applied to the apparatus and hence the casket thus retaining the apparatus in contact with the casket and enabling the casket to be lifted and transported with the apparatus. The apparatus is quickly removed by simply removing upward force from the handle. Alternatively, a clamp in the form of the threaded bolt can be included in the apparatus for clamping the casket edge between the second member and the bolt for semi-permanent installation of the apparatus on the casket.