Abstract: A casket comprises a shell, a cap closable on the shell, and a dish assembly mounted to an underside of the cap. The dish assembly comprises a cap panel, and either a) an alcove structure formed in the cap panel and adapted to receive an ornament for display when the cap is open, a shelf mounted to the cap panel which projects forwardly and is adapted to support an ornament for display when the cap is open, and a drawer assembly mounted to the cap panel for display and storage of items of memorialization of a deceased, or b) an alcove structure and a shelf, or c) an alcove structure and a drawer assembly, or d) a shelf and a drawer assembly.

Abstract: A casket comprises a shell, a cap closable on the shell, and a dish assembly mounted to an underside of the cap. The dish assembly comprises a cap panel, and either a) an alcove structure formed in the cap panel and adapted to receive an ornament for display when the cap is open, a shelf mounted to the cap panel which projects forwardly and is adapted to support an ornament for display when the cap is open, and a drawer assembly mounted to the cap panel for display and storage of items of memorialization of a deceased, or b) an alcove structure and a shelf, or c) an alcove structure and a drawer assembly, or d) a shelf and a drawer assembly.

Abstract: A blank (10) for a coffin comprising a blank body (12) defining a plurality of wall panels (14, 16, 18, 20) each having a pair of opposed sides; a base supporting member (28) formed integrally with one side of at least one of the panels; and a flap member (30) formed integrally with opposite side of at least one of panels. In one embodiment an insert (58) is held captive between at least one of side wall panels of the blank body and their associated flap portions folded onto the side wall panels to impart rigidity to a side wall of a coffin formed from blank.

Abstract: A casket lid includes a lid member with one of a male member and a female member, and at least one rim molding member having the other one of the male member and the female member. The male member and the female member are engaged for mounting the at least one rim molding member to the lid member.

Abstract: A casket comprises a shell, a cap closable on the shell, and a cap dish assembly mounted to an underside of the cap. The dish assembly comprises a cap panel having opposite sides and opposite ends, a puffing member positioned at each of the opposite sides and each of the opposite ends of the cap panel, and an alcove structure formed in one of the puffing members positioned at one of the opposite ends of the cap panel, the alcove structure having a floor, a pair of side walls, and a back wall, and defining an area recessed away from an onlooker in which to display items to memorialize a deceased.

Abstract: A casket comprises a casket shell, a casket lid closeable upon the shell, and a memorial shelf pivoted to the lid and movable to and between an extended position at which the shelf is adapted to support items of memorialization and a retracted position.

Abstract: A lid assembly for a casket has an end rail including an end rail notch. Opposing side rails are attached to the end rail. The side rails each include a side rail notch. An end section is positioned within the end rail notch. A lid dome includes a pair of dome side edges. The lid dome is flexed to form a flexed lid dome. The dome side edges are positioned within the side rail notches and in contact with the end section. The lid dome and the end section form a lid joint.

Abstract: A casket assembly includes a container and a two-piece lid. The two-piece lid includes a superior lid that covers the anterior end of the casket and an inferior lid that covers the opposite end. The container includes a bottom panel, an inferior end panel, a superior end panel, and two elongated side panels. Each elongated side portion has a recessed portion on the superior end of the casket for providing an improved viewing of the deceased. In one embodiment, the casket panels each include a plurality of mortise holes and/or tenons. The tenons on individual panels are designed to fit into the mortise holes on other panels. Pins are placed through pinholes on the tenons to retain the tenons in the mortise holes. A shelf and bracket assembly may be provided for use in displaying mementos of the deceased and/or for supporting the inferior casket lid.

Abstract: A collapsible cremation casket is formed of cardboard and has the appearance of a typical wood or plastic casket. The casket is assembled by folding along pre-scored lines to form a two-piece domed lid having a plurality of slots on the bottom and a set of slots in the back edge. The slots engage a plurality of tabs extending upward from the top of the back wall of the tray. Tabs within the slots on the back wall of the lid and the slope of the back wall of the tray provide support for the lid to stand in an upright position. When the tray is covered with the lid, the tabs engage the slots in the bottom wall of the lid, thereby securely holding the lid in place. During a ceremony, one lid section may be closed position and the second lid section is upright, thereby giving the appearance of a standard two-part casket lid.

Abstract: A casket is provided with an integral memorabilia compartment for the placement, display and storage therein of personal effects and mementos of memorialization of the deceased. In one form the casket comprises a shell, a cap pivoted to the shell, and an openable and closable memorabilia compartment forming a part of the cap. In another form the casket comprises a shell, a cap pivoted to the shell, and an openable and closable memorabilia compartment forming a part of the shell. In both forms the memorabilia compartment is so positioned and configured as to provide convenient access to mourners paying respects to the deceased for placing personal effects and mementos therein and to provide display of the personal effects and mementos placed therein for viewing by the mourners.

Abstract: A method of making a one-piece, unitary lid for a casket comprises providing tooling configured to produce a casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, providing settable material, preferably a mixture of wood chips and binder, from which to mold the lid, molding the settable material with the tooling and permitting the settable material to set. The tooling transmits a wood grain pattern into the settable material. The wood grain pattern of the lid is continuous when viewed rotated 180° about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the lid, located medially of the transverse extent of the lid and coinciding with the header end edge of the lid. Thus two such caps placed end-to-end have a continuous wood grain pattern extending from the head end of the casket to the foot end of the casket. Resin impregnated tissue paper is applied to the settable material prior to molding. The resin impregnated tissue paper conforms to the wood grain and conceals the wood chips.

Abstract: A method of making a lid for a casket comprises providing tooling configured to produce a one-piece, unitary casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, providing settable material from which to mold the lid, molding the settable material with the tooling, permitting the settable material to set thereby producing a one-piece, unitary casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, and adhesively applying a wood veneer sheet to at least a portion of the lid. The veneer sheet can be applied with either a membrane press or a profile wrapping machine.

Abstract: A casket is provided with an integral memorabilia compartment for the placement, display and storage therein of personal effects and mementos of memorialization of the deceased. In one form the casket comprises a shell, a cap pivoted to the shell, and an openable and closable memorabilia compartment forming a part of the cap. In another form the casket comprises a shell, a cap pivoted to the shell, and an openable and closable memorabilia compartment forming a part of the shell. In both forms the memorabilia compartment is so positioned and configured as to provide convenient access to mourners paying respects to the deceased for placing personal effects and mementos therein and to provide display of the personal effects and mementos placed therein for viewing by the mourners.

Abstract: A method of making a lid for a casket comprises providing tooling configured to produce a one-piece, unitary casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, providing settable material from which to mold the lid, molding the settable material with the tooling, permitting the settable material to set thereby producing a one-piece, unitary casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, and adhesively applying a wood veneer sheet to at least a portion of the lid. The veneer sheet can be applied with either a membrane press or a profile wrapping machine.

Abstract: A method and kit for providing a cap panel and accessories for a casket comprises a panel of flexible plastic or board that is covered in a removable fabric. The lid of the casket where the cap panel will be displayed is measured using an included measuring device, and the panel is cut to adjust the panel size after removing the decorative fabric. After adjusting the size of the panel, the panel is re-covered in the fabric by attaching the fabric at the backside of the panel. Thereafter, the panel is inserted onto the casket lid by tucking the cap panel with a provided device into a framing area situated about the central area on the lid. The cap panel may be stored in a frame or packaging pending need for use on a casket. The framed or packaged cap panel combined with a pillow cover and drape provides a pre-need package for uniquely meeting the specific interests of a person while providing for flexibility of casket selection at the time of need.

Abstract: The vehicle shaped caskets and urns are stylized funeral containers that are configured to reflect the particular features of specific automobiles. The funeral containers include a body portion, a lid portion and a mounting base member. The body portion reflects the features of the lower chassis that are particular to specific automobiles, including headlights, bumpers, fenders and doors. The lid portion reflects the features that are particular to top portion of specific vehicles, including a windshield, a trunk, and windows. The caskets include authentic nameplates and hood ornaments to enhance their authenticity.

Abstract: A cap panel insert which is usable in dish assemblies of both cut top and full top caskets. A dish assembly adapted to be positioned in a lid of a full top casket comprises a cap panel sized and configured to fit within the full top casket lid and puffing members attached to the panel around its periphery, a first cap panel insert overlying the cap panel, and second and third cap panel inserts positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of the first cap panel insert and overlying the cap panel. The first cap panel insert is sized and configured to fit within a dish assembly of a cut top casket.

Abstract: A memorialization casket of the type which allows it to be personalized to the deceased comprises a shell, a lid closable upon the shell and an alcove structure mounted to an under side of the lid, the alcove structure including a recessed area adapted to receive an ornament for display. The casket lid may include a dish mounted to the under side of the casket lid, with the alcove structure being mounted to the dish. The dish may have a panel which may include an opening therethrough, with the alcove structure mounted in the opening of the dish panel. An alcove structure mounting adaptor may be mounted in the dish panel opening, with the alcove structure being mounted to the adaptor. The mounting adaptor may include a fastener fastening the alcove structure to the mounting adaptor. The alcove structure may include a fastener adapted to removably retain the ornament in the alcove structure.

Abstract: A lid for a casket includes a cover including longitudinally spaced-apart first and second end edges, transversely spaced-apart first and second side edges, and a dome extending between the first and second side edges and between the first and second end edges, and an end cap including an end panel and a rim appended to the end panel. The end cap is coupled to the cover adjacent to the first end edge. The rim extends from the end panel to cover a portion of the cover adjacent to the first end edge.

Abstract: A method of making a one-piece, unitary lid for a casket comprises providing tooling configured to produce a casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, providing settable material, preferably a mixture of wood chips and binder, from which to mold the lid, molding the settable material with the tooling and permitting the settable material to set. The tooling transmits a wood grain pattern into the settable material. The wood grain pattern of the lid is continuous when viewed rotated 180° about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the lid, located medially of the transverse extent of the lid and coinciding with the header end edge of the lid. Thus two such caps placed end-to-end have a continuous wood grain pattern extending from the head end of the casket to the foot end of the casket. Resin impregnated tissue paper is applied to the settable material prior to molding. The resin impregnated tissue paper conforms to the wood grain and conceals the wood chips.

Abstract: A method of making a one-piece, unitary lid for a casket comprises providing tooling configured to produce a casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, providing settable material, preferably a mixture of wood chips arid binder, from which to mold the lid, molding the settable material with the tooling and permitting the settable material to set. The tooling transmits a wood grain pattern into the settable material. The wood grain pattern of the lid is continuous when viewed rotated 180° about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the lid, located medially of the transverse extent of the lid and coinciding with the header end edge of the lid. Thus two such caps placed end-to-end have a continuous wood grain pattern extending from the head end of the casket to the foot end of the casket. Resin impregnated tissue paper is applied to the settable material prior to molding. The resin impregnated tissue paper conforms to the wood grain and conceals the wood chips.

Abstract: In an effort at increasing the quality and styling of the casket interior, and in particular the casket cap dish assembly, and in an effort to increase the quality of the memorialization aspect of the casket and memorial service, the present assembly was devised which comprises, in one aspect, a dish assembly for installation into an underside of a casket cap, the assembly comprising a foam dish including an opening therethrough, and a cap panel installed in the opening in the foam dish. In a second aspect, the dish assembly comprises a dish including an opening therethrough and a cap panel removably installed in the opening in the dish, the cap panel being personalized to the deceased and being removable from the dish by a loved one of the deceased subsequent to a memorial service for the deceased and retained by the loved one as a memorial to the deceased.

Abstract: A memorialization casket of the type which allows it to be personalized to the deceased comprises a shell, a lid closable upon the shell and an alcove structure mounted to an under side of the lid, the alcove structure including a recessed area adapted to receive an ornament for display. The casket lid may include a dish mounted to the under side of the casket lid, with the alcove structure being mounted to the dish. The dish may have a panel which may include an opening therethrough, with the alcove structure mounted in the opening of the dish panel. An alcove structure mounting adaptor may be mounted in the dish panel opening, with the alcove structure being mounted to the adaptor. The mounting adaptor may include a fastener fastening the alcove structure to the mounting adaptor. The alcove structure may include a fastener adapted to removably retain the ornament in the alcove structure.

Abstract: A funeral casket which includes a video display unit capable of playing a recording or other message containing visual images, and audio if desired, at a funeral service. The recorded message may portray selected events during the life of the deceased and is intended to be observed by mourners at the casket so as to aid mourners in coping with their sadness by helping them to more vividly recall the deceased, and hopefully, times of happiness in his or her life. In one embodiment a support member is movably connected to the funeral casket and is structured and disposed to support a video display unit thereon. The preferred support member comprises a lid structure sized and configured to be interchangeable with one of two separate lid portions commonly found on most funeral caskets.

Abstract: A casket comprises a shell including a floor, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. A pair of caps are closable upon the shell. At least one of the walls is constructed of at least two panels having adjacent abutting edges forming a joint between the panels. A decorative feature disguises the joint to create the appearance of the two panels being a single panel. Each cap has a crown, a longer dimension and a shorter dimension, and is constructed of a plurality of boards extending parallel to the longer dimension and including a center spine board. The center spine board is fabricated from a single full-length board sawed in two; remaining ones of thee cap crown boards are non-full length boards. The gap between the head and foot end caps when closed in combination with the matching grain of the spine boards creates the appearance of the cap crowns being constructed of full length boards. Also, by utilizing at least one full length board in the cap, current tooling may be used.

Abstract: In an effort at increasing the quality and styling of the casket interior, and in particular the casket cap dish assembly, and in an effort to increase the quality of the memorialization aspect of the casket and memorial service, the present invention was devised which comprises, in one aspect, a dish assembly for installation into an underside of a casket cap, the assembly comprising a foam dish including an opening therethrough, and a cap panel installed in the opening in the foam dish. In a second aspect, the dish assembly comprises a dish including an opening therethrough and a cap panel removably installed in the opening in the dish, the cap panel being personalized to the deceased and being removable from the dish by a loved one of the deceased subsequent to a memorial service for the deceased and retained by the loved one as a memorial to the deceased.

Abstract: A method of making a one-piece, unitary lid for a casket comprises providing tooling configured to produce a casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, providing settable material, preferably a mixture of wood chips and binder, from which to mold the lid, molding the settable material with the tooling and permitting the settable material to set. The tooling transmits a wood grain pattern into the settable material. The wood grain pattern of the lid is continuous when viewed rotated 180° about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the lid, located medially of the transverse extent of the lid and coinciding with the header end edge of the lid. Thus two such caps placed end-to-end have a continuous wood grain pattern extending from the head end of the casket to the foot end of the casket. Resin impregnated tissue paper is applied to the settable material prior to molding. The resin impregnated tissue paper conforms to the wood grain and conceals the wood chips.

Abstract: A method of making a one-piece, unitary lid for a casket comprises providing tooling configured to produce a casket lid having a crown, a pie, a rim and a header, providing settable material, preferably a mixture of wood chips and binder, from which to mold the lid, molding the settable material with the tooling and permitting the settable material to set. The tooling transmits a wood grain pattern into the settable material. The wood grain pattern of the lid is continuous when viewed rotated 180° about an axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the lid, located medially of the transverse extent of the lid and coinciding with the header end edge of the lid. Thus two such caps placed end-to-end have a continuous wood grain pattern extending from the head end of the casket to the foot end of the casket. Resin impregnated tissue paper is applied to the settable material prior to molding. The resin impregnated tissue paper conforms to the wood grain and conceals the wood chips.

Abstract: In an effort at increasing the quality and styling of the casket interior, and in particular the casket cap dish assembly, and in an effort to increase the quality of the memorialization aspect of the casket and memorial service, the present invention was devised which comprises, in one aspect, a dish assembly for installation into an underside of a casket cap, the assembly comprising a foam dish including an opening therethrough, and a cap panel installed in the opening in the foam dish. In a second aspect, the dish assembly comprises a dish including an opening therethrough and a cap panel removably installed in the opening in the dish, the cap panel being personalized to the deceased and being removable from the dish by a loved one of the deceased subsequent to a memorial service for the deceased and retained by the loved one as a memorial to the deceased.

Abstract: A center panel for use in a casket top includes a panel frame and a section of flexible material. The panel base includes a panel base and a plurality of folded-under tabs, the panel base having a first side and a second side. Each of the folded-under tabs is integrally formed with the panel base and is folded under a portion of the panel base, thereby defining at least a portion of a periphery of the panel base. Each of the folded-under tabs is furthermore affixed to the second side of the panel base. The section of flexible material substantially covers the first side of the panel base and is affixed to said folded-under tabs.

Abstract: A lightweight structurally sound casket formed preferably of a sandwich construction using a core of an open cell or honeycomb patterned material and fluid resistant surface elements. The casket is comprised of a body containment portion and a lid portion, each of which has the sandwich construction as the main structural element. The open cell material is structurally enhanced by being sandwiched between first and second stabilizing surface elements in both the body containment portion and the lid portion. In addition to the stabilizing surface elements, an aesthetically pleasing material is adhered to the outer portions of the body containment section and lid so that the casket has an attractive appearance. The body containment portion is constructed from rectangular pieces of the open cell material and stabilizing surface elements by folding the same into a box-like configuration.

Abstract: A flat-lid casket has a bottom, two opposing side walls connected to opposing sides of the bottom, and two opposing end walls connected to the opposing end of the bottom and to the two opposing side walls. Each of the two opposing end walls has a main panel, two side flanges, a bottom flange and a top flange. The two side flanges are fixed to the opposing side walls; the bottom flange is fixed to the bottom; and the top flange is folded against and fixed to the main panel. Further features of the casket include side wraps, end wraps and moldings. The main panels are trapezoidal in shape so as to form flared sides for the casket. Adjacent flat surfaces of the casket have mutually perpendicular corrugations for increased strength. The flat lid of the casket has a pair of elongate side members, a pair of elongate end members, a flat cover disposed over the top surfaces of the elongate side and end members, and a flat sheet disposed on the bottom surface of the cover.

Abstract: A casket top interior assembly includes at least one roll and a roll clamp. The casket top interior assembly is used in connection with a casket lid, the casket lid being generally concave and constructed of a rigid material. The at least one roll has a first elongated edge and a second elongated edge, the first elongated edge secured to the casket lid proximate a periphery of the casket lid, the second elongated edge secured to the casket lid by the roll clamp. To this end, the roll clamp includes an anchor surface and a stop member extending angularly from the anchor surface. The anchor surface is directly secured to the casket lid. The stop member engages the at least one roll proximate the second elongated edge in a trap fit, said trap fit in part securing the roll to the casket lid.

Abstract: A casket comprises a shell including a floor, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. A pair of caps are closable upon the shell. At least one of the walls is constructed of at least two panels having adjacent abutting edges forming a joint between the panels. A decorative feature disguises the joint to create the appearance of the two panels being a single panel. Each cap has a crown, a longer dimension and a shorter dimension, and is constructed of a plurality of boards extending parallel to the longer dimension and including a center spine board. The center spine board is fabricated from a single full-length board sawed in two; remaining ones of thee cap crown boards are non-full length boards. The gap between the head and foot end caps when closed in combination with the matching grain of the spine boards creates the appearance of the cap crowns being constructed of full length boards. Also, by utilizing at least one full length board in the cap, current tooling may be used.

Abstract: A casket comprises an outer structure, a tray and an insert. The tray is formed of corrugated fiberboard having a corrugation extending in a first direction, while the insert is formed of corrugated fiberboard having a corrugation extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The casket has either a full lid or a split lid, and the lid is either flat or optionally curved. The structural integrity of the casket is improved by provision of side wraps, end wraps and pads inserted between each end wall and its respective end wrap. Methods of constructing the various alternative casket lids are also disclosed. Components are made of wood, corrugated fiberboard and foam.

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 casket having a tub, lid and pedestal base each separately molded of plastic material. The tub is integrally molded of plastic as a single unit having an endless hollow peripheral side wall formed by fluid injection, the tub having curved inner and outer surfaces. The pedestal base is also integrally molded of plastic as a single unit having an endless hollow perimeter formed by fluid injection, the base having a curved upper molded surface which supportively engages with a curved bottom surface of said tub. Self aligning and locking structure for properly aligning and connecting said tub within said pedestal base is integrally molded into corresponding mating surfaces. The lid is similarly integrally molded of plastic as a single unit having an endless hollow peripheral side wall formed by fluid injection, the lid having continuous curved upper and lower surfaces. The tub and lid are hinge connected together after molding along a common longitudinal side margin therebetween.

Abstract: A dish assembly for a burial casket comprises a generally rectangular cap panel having a pair of opposed sides, a puffing member attached to each side of the pair of sides along respective adjacent edges of the puffing member and side, a cap panel insert removably inserted between the puffing members and juxtaposed relative to the cap panel, a tab removably inserted between the respective adjacent edges of each attached puffing member and side, and a first portion of a fastener attached to said tab and a second portion of the fastener attached to the cap panel insert. The first and second portions of the fastener are removably secured one to another such that the cap panel insert is removably secured to the cap panel of the dish assembly. The respective adjacent edges of the puffing members and sides may be secured together with staples. The tab comprises a rectangular portion and two leg portions extending from said rectangular portion.

Abstract: A casket cap assembly for a burial casket comprises a cap having two sides and two ends defining an interior, having a peripheral edge and having a peripheral groove in the peripheral edge within the interior of the cap. A pair of cap dish assembly supports are positioned in the cap along each cap side. A dish assembly is positioned in the cap and is supported by the cap dish assembly supports. The dish assembly comprises a rectangular cap panel and four peripheral puffing members attached to the periphery of the cap panel at respective adjacent edges. Each support comprises a spacer portion and an arcuate portion separated by a cap dish assembly edge receiving portion. The spacer portion contacts the cap within the cap interior to space the dish assembly relatively within the cap. The edge receiving portion receives therein the respective adjacent edges of the cap panel and puffing members. The arcuate portion defines the curvature of the puffing members.

Abstract: A casket is provided with an integral memorabilia compartment for the placement, display and storage therein of personal effects and mementos of memorialization of the deceased. In one form the casket comprises a shell, a cap pivoted to the shell, and an openable and closable memorabilia compartment forming a part of the cap. In another form the casket comprises a shell, a cap pivoted to the shell, and an openable and closable memorabilia compartment forming a part of the shell. In both forms the memorabilia compartment is so positioned and configured as to provide convenient access to mourners paying respects to the deceased for placing personal effects and mementos therein and to provide display of the personal effects and mementos placed therein for viewing by the mourners.

Abstract: A container with a lid sealed thereon wholly encloses a space which can contain a casket. The container wall, the lid wall, and the seal bar flow of matter into the space containing the casket. The container wall and the lid wall both also wholly enclose chambers which am filled with concrete. There is a fenestrated spacer attached between the walls of both the concrete filled container chamber and the concrete filled lid chamber with the concrete passing through the fenestrated spacer to link the concrete filling the container chamber to the container and to link the concrete filling the lid chamber to the lid to give the container and the lid the strength of concrete.

Abstract: A casket cap brace support comprises a support bracket adapted to be affixed to a wall of the casket body and including an aperture therethrough adapted to receive an end of a brace member, an elongated brace member having one end pivoted to the cap and the other end received in the support bracket aperture, the other end having a projection thereon, the support bracket having an elongated slot therein with a terminal end, the brace member projection being received in the slot during at least a portion of the movement of the cap to and between the closed and open positions, the slot being so configured such that when the cap is in the open position the brace member is in compression, the brace member projection residing in the slot terminal end and being prevented from moving out of the slot terminal end by the action of the weight of the cap, the cap thereby being resistant to inadvertent closing in the event that the casket cap or body is accidentally bumped.

Abstract: A burial casket so configured of a non-biodegradable, corrosion-proof material to obtain the required mechanical strength with a minimum of material. The self-sealing gasket made of resilient material helps hold the cover on the casket and compresses at right angles to the direction the cover is put on the casket. An air valve allows the cover to be put on or taken off easily, the casket tested for air tightness, oxygen to be purged from the casket, and an inert gas to be pressurized to slow decomposition of the cadaver in the casket. A relief valve-filter assembly relieves and deodorizes any excessive pressure caused by decompositions gases.

Abstract: A combination casket and shield comprises a casket having a casket shell with a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls connecting the side walls and an interior. The shell walls include a groove therein extending peripherally around the interior of the casket shell. An elongated sealing strip is disposed in the casket shell groove and has first and second resilient sealing members. A transparent shield is removably installed to the shell. The shield has a peripheral edge retained between the first and second sealing members of the sealing strip in sealing engagement therewith. The sealing strip includes a third member disposed in the casket shell groove and the first and second members are connected to the third member. The first and second sealing members are hinged relative to one another by a resilient living hinge and include respective resilient interlocking projections.

Abstract: A burial vault formed of a polymeric material is disclosed. The burial vault includes a generally rectangular lower box portion and a generally rectangular upper lid portion. Each of the lid and box portions of the vault include substantially parallel lateral ribs integrally formed therein which are in alignment with and cooperate with one another to provide good strength and integrity to the vault. In addition, each of the lid and box portions include weight transferring and weight bearing ledges which assist in the strength of the vault. Fastening and sealing mechanisms are also disclosed which provide good barriers to penetration of air and water into the assembled vault.

Abstract: A metal casket shell will include sides, ends, bottoms and lids blanked and formed from pre-painted or pre-finished material. The connections of these parts employing prongs or tabs or both thereby eliminating the need to weld and grinding these joints.

Abstract: A multi-functional cremation container for a cadaver is provided. A rectangular container is enclosed on five sides by four container side panels and a bottom panel. The sixth side is an upwardly facing open top for providing access to the internal volume within the container. The side panels terminate at the open top in a first annular horizontal peripheral groove and a downturned external flange having a downfacing annular edge. Each side is sloped so as to allow multiple cremation containers to be nestled for compact storage and easy transportation. A rectangular cover has a horizontal top panel with four peripheral, downwardly extending cover side panels. The cover side panels fit over the container flange for closing the container, and include formed therein a plurality of reliefs for carrying the casket. The top panel has a peripheral upwardly facing second annular horizontal groove for nesting within the first annular groove as a moisture barrier.

Abstract: A corrugated cardboard coffin for use in cremation funeral services, comprising a body receiving portion and a lid which is telescopically mounted thereon. Two embodiments of the lid are presented, one of them being of a unitary construction and the other consisting of two sections which fit onto the top of the body receiving portion in back-to-back fashion. One of the sections can be removed to allow mourners to view the body. The present invention provides a sturdy and cosmetically appealing coffin with no corrugated cardboard fluting being visible in the erected structure.

Abstract: A casket and method for manufacture are disclosed according to which a shell or base, having outwardly flared walls, is constructed of corrugated fiberboard by a technique in which a planar sheet of corrugated fiberboard is cut to form a blank having interconnected portions corresponding to the areas of the flared side and end walls. A domed lid is also provided, being formed of corrugated fiberboard with a reinforcing marginal frame, provision being made for utilization of the lid either as a single unitary piece or as a split lid having two halves.

Abstract: A lid for the shell or base of a casket is disclosed, the lid being formed of corrugated fiberboard. Two components or sheets of the corrugated fiberboard are employed in the construction of the lid, a first component being extended substantially throughout the width of the lid and having the corrugations extended in a direction transversely of the lid, and the other component being adhesively secured to the first component and having its corrugations extended longitudinally of the lid.The lid is also provided with braces or reinforcing components in the form of transverse bridges applied to the underside of the assembled sheet components, the bridges being formed of corrugated fiberboard, having the corrugations thereof extended in the vertical direction.