Abstract: A metal casket that is readily assembled at a location remote from the location of manufacture. The casket has several different potential embodiments. For example, first and second tabs on respective first and second side walls are overlapped to form a joint connecting the first and second walls. In another embodiment, a plurality of side walls has peripheral slots extending from lower sections of respective walls. A bottom has a periphery extending into the peripheral slots of the side walls to join the bottom and the side walls together. In a further embodiment, a portion of a plurality of side walls have an upward opening groove for receiving a decorative material. In a still further embodiment a casket cover includes a cap providing an exterior finish of the casket and a dish disposed within the cap to provide an interior finish for the cover of the casket. The cover further has a frame with a first slot for receiving an edge of the cap and a second slot for receiving an edge of the dish.

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 casket bed comprises a rectangular bed frame formed from a pair of side rails, a pair of end rails, a plurality of cross braces spanning between the side rails and a plurality of bed straps spanning between the end rails. The cross braces are adjustably movable along the side rails. The bed straps have first ends directly connected to one of the end rails. Each cross brace includes a plurality of locators thereon each of which receives a bed strap and locates the bed strap side-to-side on the bed frame. The side and end rails are formed from beams L-shaped in cross-section which overlap at the corners of the frame: at each corner, one of the beams has a tongue which cooperates with its horizontal leg to receive therebetween the free edge of the horizontal leg of the other beam.

Abstract: An improved structure of a coffin is disclosed. The coffin comprises a base seat board, a left side board and right side board, a rear side board and a front side board, and a top cover, characterized in that the left and right sides of the base seat board are provided with inverted T-shaped sliding slots and the top and bottom of the base seat board are provided with recesses, and the bottom of the left and right side boards is provided with an inverted T-shaped sliding rail and the top of the left and right side boards are provided with T-shaped sliding slots, the left and right end of the front and rear side boards are provided with T-shaped sliding rails, and the bottom thereof is provided with a protruded board, the top cover board along the edge thereof is provided with slots so that the top cover board can be connected to the left and right side boards.

Abstract: A method of producing memorial items for memorializing a deceased, a method of memorializing a deceased and a combination of memorial items for memorializing a deceased. The method of producing memorial items for memorializing a deceased comprises providing a casket in which to inter the deceased, providing a plaque to be presented to a loved one of the deceased as a memorial to the deceased, inscribing the casket with an inscription of memorialization and inscribing the plaque with the same inscription of memorialization. The method of memorializing a deceased comprises providing a casket in which to inter the deceased, providing a plaque to be presented to a loved one of the deceased as a memorial to the deceased, inscribing the casket with an inscription of memorialization, inscribing the plaque with the same inscription of memorialization, interring the deceased in the inscribed casket and presenting the inscribed plaque to the loved one of 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 casket bed comprises a rectangular bed frame formed from a pair of side rails, a pair of end rails, a plurality of cross braces spanning between the side rails and a plurality of bed straps spanning between the end rails. The cross braces are adjustably movable along the side rails. The bed straps have first ends directly connected to one of the end rails. Each cross brace includes a plurality of locators thereon each of which receives a bed strap and locates the bed strap side-to-side on the bed frame. The side and end rails are formed from beams L-shaped in cross-section which overlap at the corners of the frame; at each corner, one of the beams has a tongue which cooperates with its horizontal leg to receive therebetween the free edge of the horizontal leg of the other beam.

Abstract: A car shaped coffin construction (10) including a coffin receptacle member (20) configured to represent the lower portion (21) of a stylized vehicle chassis below the vehicle chassis window line (30) and including recesses (35) formed in both the front (24) and rear (25) bumpers, as well as side exhaust pipe rails (27) which form hand grip surfaces for pall bearers, and a coffin lid member (50) hingedly connected to one side of the coffin receptacle member (20) and configured to represent the upper portion (21′) of a stylized vehicle chassis. The coffin lid member (50) is provided with a simulated side view mirror (56) which serves as a handle for raising and lowering the coffin lid member (50) relative to the coffin receptacle member (20).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a vault or casket having a customized design on its external surface. The invention also discloses a method for decorating the external surface of a vault or casket to produce such custom designed surface. In method ofthis invention, a substrate material is cut into panels that have shapes that correspond to the sections of the vault or casket surface. This substrate shape will enable the substrate panels to fit exactly over the corresponding surface sections. A custom design is digitally imaged onto the substrate panels. Each panel contains a portion of the overall design. The interior side of each substrate panel is provided with an adhesive material to affix the panels to the substrate surface. These substrate panels exhibiting portions of the overall design are applied sectionally to the substrate surface in a manner to provide a seamless image, thereby creating an external surface having a custom appearance.

Abstract: A combination vault and casket assembly constructed of a vacuum formed polystyrene material and incorporating ballast stabilization during underground interment. A body includes a bottom, first and second upwardly extending side walls and first and second interconnecting end walls within which are defined inwardly vacuum formed depressions and which define in combination an upwardly facing perimeter. An arcuately shaped lid includes a downwardly facing perimeter edge capable of being matingly engaged with the upwardly facing perimeter edge to secure the lid to the body. A substantially planar shaped platform base has an upper face and a lower face, the upper face being configured about an outer raised and perimeter edge to receive the bottom of the body in slidably resistive fashion. An interior canyon of the platform base further includes a plurality of individual raised surfaces defining upper projections and reverse faces of the projections define corresponding recessed surfaces within the lower face.

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 or coffin is provided with a drawer to receive an urn or other vessel containing ashes of a decedent.

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 collapsible stackable casket, having: a base member; a plurality of end members and side members removably secured to the base member to form a casket body. A lid assembly is removably mounted to the casket body, the lid assembly defining a lid chamber capable of receiving the base member and end members when the casket is in an unassembled mode.

Abstract: A portable, modular, underwater burial/marine habitat anchored on an underwater surface consisting of a plurality of base sections and top sections each having extruded, lightweight concrete slabs and having a plurality of removable walls and egress openings, the sections being joined together and stacked in a desired configuration to form an underwater burial site and a marine sanctuary.

Abstract: A customized design on its external surface. The invention also discloses a method for decorating the external surface of a casket to produce such custom designed surface. In the method of this invention, a substrate material is cut into panels that have shapes that correspond to the sections of the casket surface. This substrate shape will enable the substrate panels to fit exactly over the casket surface sections. A custom design is digitally imaged onto the substrate panels. Each panel contains a portion of the overall design. The interior side of each substrate panel is provided with an adhesive material to affix the panels to the casket surface. These substrate panels exhibiting portions of the overall design are applied sectionally to the casket surface in a manner to provide a seamless image, thereby creating an external casket surface having a custom appearance.

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 casket having a body and a lid hinged to the body along a hinged edge, and an unhinged edge opposite the hinged edge, includes a wedge bar locking mechanism for locking the lid to the body in a closed position. The locking mechanism includes a wedge bar installed within a cavity of the casket body flange which extends along the unhinged edge, the wedge bar interacting with pull-down studs which are mounted on a flange of the lid and which extend into the cavity upon closing the lid via a plurality of openings in the body flange. The wedge bar is supported vertically by a plurality of hangers which reside within the openings in the body flange. Each hanger includes a radial flange and a cylindrical sleeve depending therefrom. The sleeve has two diametrically opposite vertical slots which receive the wedge bar and permit the wedge bar to move along its longitudinal axis for locking and unlocking the mechanism. The slots terminate at their lower ends at support surfaces on which the wedge bar rests.

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 casket includes a casket shell and a handle bar. The casket includes a side wall with a plurality of external hardware bosses formed integrally and contiguously with the side wall and protruding outwardly therefrom. Each hardware boss is generally hollow and formed to define an interior region that is at least partially bounded by a respective protruded wall offset outwardly from the side wall. A respective first transition wall integrally connects the side wall and respective protruded wall, and a respective second transition wall spaced from the first transition wall and integrally connects the side wall and respective protruded wall, each of the first and second transition walls being formed to include a handle-receiving void, and a handle bar extending through the voids.

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 burial casket having an image receiving surface includes a container, a cover and a coating applied to the exterior surface of the casket for receiving images. The image receiving surface includes at least one layer of stain applied directly to the exterior surface of the casket, a shading toner applied on top of the stain, a lacquer sealer applied on top of the shading toner, and at least one layer of gloss lacquer applied on top of the lacquer sealer. The container has a rectangular central portion which forms the bottom of the casket, opposed end walls which form the ends of the casket, and opposed side walls which form the sides of the casket. The cover overlies the ends walls and the sides walls and is hingedly connected to one of the side walls for moving between an open position and a closed position. The casket also includes media for introducing the images on the image receiving surface. The media include ink, dye, plastic, chalk, paint, charcoal, decals and transfers.

Abstract: A knockdown coffin structure includes a bottom plate made of a plurality of layers of paper sheet which has a honeycomb structure. The bottom plate has four edges, each having an arc slot coextensive therewith. Four side plates, made of a plurality of sheets of corrugated paper stacked over and adhered to each other and having an arc extension, are connected to the edges of the bottom plates by having the arc extensions thereof received in the arc slots of the bottom plate to such a position where the side plates are substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate. A holding plate is fit into coffin to be positioned on the bottom plate with edges of the holding plate abutting against and thus securely holding the side plates in the perpendicular position. The side plates also have rib-like projections. A cover plate is positioned on the side plates when the side plates are in the perpendicular position.

Abstract: For simplifying the production of a coffin or casket and to minimize the consumption of material as far as possible, different wall thicknesses are used for the walls of the coffin, namely the material thickness of the bottom is greater than that of the side walls and additional elements such as feet, grips, fasteners, fastener profiles, hinges, embellishments and the same are made integral with the coffin upper part/or the lower part or the detachable securing of such elements are made integral with the coffin upper part or the coffin lower part.

Abstract: An apparatus used during construction of a casket shell from casket shell elements, the apparatus comprising: a surface, a frame support for movement relative to the surface between a first position adjacent the surface and a second position away from the surface, a flexible membrane coupled to the frame and formed to include at least one aperture, a pump unit coupled to the at least one aperture and operable to evacuate air from between the membrane and the surface when the frame is in the first position, and a template supported by the surface and positioned to lie between the surface and the membrane, the template adapted to establish a proper position of the casket shell elements on the surface.

Abstract: A latch mechanism (10) for burial or cremation caskets (12) includes a stud (22) which is press-fit in the lower edge (18) of the casket lid (16), and a latch plate (24) which resides within a transverse recess (40) in an upstanding wall (20) of the casket shell (14). The latch plate includes an elongated keyhole-shaped slot (44) which is accessible to the stud via a vertical hole (46) in the upper edge (21) of the shell wall. The slot has a wide portion (48) which allows the stud to pass through the latch plate, and a narrow portion (50) which is narrower than the distal end (52) of the stud. The stud includes a necked-down portion (54) which is narrower than the narrow portion of the slot. The latch plate is slidable within the recess from a first position in which the stud resides within the wide portion of the slot to a second position in which the necked-down portion of the stud resides within the narrow portion of the slot.

Abstract: An improved structure of an environmental friendly coffin including a lid, faceplates, a U-shaped coffin body, and a reinforcing bottom board made from kraft boards formed by adhering multiple layers of kraft together and applying thermal pressure thereto. Wooden frames are fixed to the four sides of the coffin to reinforce the pressure-resistance and shear-resistance of the coffin. Both the manufacturing cost and timber material can be greatly reduced. Besides, burning of the coffin will not cause environmental pollution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved reusable casket assembly including an outer reusable casket and an inner liner or coffin adapted to permit conventional and traditionally burial of a deceased. The outer coffin is aesthetically appealing and constructed for secure and selectively fixed receipt of the inner liner. The inner liner is also aesthetically appealing. The inner liner may be used in either an open or closed condition for viewing. The inner liner may further be sealed while positioned within the outer casket, and either released into a burial vault or removed and placed into a mausoleum or crematorium. The invention includes selectively securable latches in combination with an alignment plate to facilitate secure placement of the casket assembly over a burial vault. The invention provides for lowering of the inner liner in a conventional manner into a burial vault, while preserving the outer casket for repeated, future use.

Abstract: A one-way valve is mounted on a wall of a casket for venting gas and vapor pressure build up interiorly of the casket incident to body decomposition.

Abstract: A casket handle and removable lug (escutcheon plate) combination frees the lug from a fixed connection to the casket wall in common with the connections of the handle. The lug instead is mounted separately upon the casket, employing spring-urged detents engageable with the lug to hold the lug in assembled relation with the handle and the casket.

Abstract: A burial casket having an image receiving surface includes a container, a cover and a coating applied to the exterior surface of the casket for receiving images. The image receiving surface includes at least one layer of stain applied directly to the exterior surface of the casket, a shading toner applied on top of the stain, a lacquer sealer applied on top of the shading toner, and at least one layer of gloss lacquer applied on top of the lacquer sealer. The container has a rectangular central portion which forms the bottom of the casket, opposed end walls which form the ends of the casket, and opposed side walls which form the sides of the casket. The cover overlies the ends walls and the sides walls and is hingedly connected to one of the side walls for moving between an open position and a closed position. The casket also includes media for introducing the images on the image receiving surface. The media include ink, dye, plastic, chalk, paint, charcoal, decals and transfers.

Abstract: A sheet metal casket comprises a pair of side panels, a pair of end panels, a rounded corner between adjacent ends of the adjacent side and end panels, at least one rounded corner having a flat formed thereon, the flat having a hole formed therethrough, and a tube positioned in the hole and crimped in place.

Abstract: A burial casket 10 comprising a photographic memorial marker 30 which is coupled to the front and side walls 14 and 16. The photographic memorial marker 30 is provided with a picture 60 for identifying the deceased person in the casket 10. A support member 32 is provided for supporting the picture 60 on the front and back wall members 14 and 16. A first protective cover member 62 is aligned with and coupled to the bottom of the picture 60 on the support member 32. A second protective cover member 64 is aligned with and coupled to the top portion of the picture 60. A sealing member 66 is provided to cover the second protective cover 64 and the support member 32 so that the picture 60 is protected from moisture, and so that a harden durable surface is provided.

Abstract: A method of lining a casket with a liquid impervious liner comprises the steps of providing a casket shell having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom wall, providing a plastic liner having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom wall, inserting the liner into the casket, heating the liner to soften the liner, applying a pressure differential across the softened liner relative to the casket shell to urge the side, end and bottom walls of the softened liner into engagement with the side, end and bottom walls of the casket shell, and permitting the liner to cool. A combination casket and liner is constructed by the method.

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 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 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: An ecological burial apparatus and method are accomplished by placing a corpse into a coffin structure made of a material containing a nutrient or fertilizer or combinations thereof. The corpse and coffin structure are buried in the ground and a tree is planted above the coffin structure so that when the coffin structure biodegrades the nutrient or fertilizer or combinations thereof are capable of being supplied to the tree to create an ecologically sound environment.

Abstract: A handle structure for a casket (10) is provided. The handle structure includes a bar (33) and a casket shell (12) spaced apart from the bar (33). The casket shell (12) includes a side panel (28) having an outwardly-facing side surface (66) positioned behind the bar (33) and fixed relative thereto. The side surface (66) includes an outer portion (64) and an edge (60) defining a recessed portion (62) of the side surface (66) positioned inwardly of the outer portion (64) of the side surface (66). The recessed portion (62) cooperates with the outer portion (64) to define a cavity (68) positioned behind the bar (33) so that a person carrying the casket (10) can grip the bar (33) without engaging the side surface (66).

Abstract: A combination comprises a burial casket designed and constructed so as to have a visible theme, a music media storage and display assembly incorporated into the casket selectively movable to and between a generally concealed storage position and a generally exposed display position, and music media including recorded music selected so as to have an audible theme, corresponding to the casket visible theme, stored and displayed in the assembly. The casket includes a shell and head end and foot end caps pivoted to said shell. The foot end cap includes a header board mounted on a head end thereof. The storage and display assembly comprises a platform slidable through the header board to and between the storage and display positions within and without the foot end cap respectively, the platform having a recess therein for receiving the music media, and an ejector mounted to the platform operable to eject the music media from the recess for easy grasping when the platform is moved to the display position.

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 burial casket comprises a shell, a cap enclosing the shell and memorabilia tray pivotally connected to the shell with a linkage. The tray is pivotally movable from a position inside the shell to a position outside the shell when the cap is open. The tray is maintained in an upright, upwardly facing orientation during movement of the tray. The linkage comprises a pair of links, each link being pivotally connected at one link end to an end of the tray and at the other link end to the shell. The tray is generally elongated, rectangular in shape and shallow and includes a plurality of individual compartments therein. The tray is oriented lengthwise generally parallel to the length of the shell and is mounted to a side wall of the shell. The tray may include individual covers enclosing the individual compartments.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cremation box for a body, the box including a bottom panel and four side panels engaging the bottom panel to form the sides of the box. At least one side panel is foldable into substantially coplanar relationship with the bottom panel to open a side of the box so that a body may be placed into the box from the side.

Abstract: The coffin is made by folding, along preformed lines, a single piece part (10) cut from a plate of corrugated cardboard of which at least one of the faces is covered with a cellulose coating which is tinted and decorated so as to give said face a wooden aspect. First the bottom of the coffin is formed by applying to each other two portions (1', 2') of different panels (1, 2) of the part (10) and by fixing said portions (1', 2') to each other by means of fixing tabs (3", 4") inserted into the slots (26a, 26b).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a burial casket having a housing having a pocket surface portion, a piece of decorative fabric contacting said pocket surface portion and a resilient flexible retainer member bendably seated within the pocket surface and in a manner such that the fabric is frictionally held between the retainer member and the pocket surface portion, wherein the retainer member has a ribbed surface portion formed on a surface thereof.

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 casket includes a plurality of walls. An attaching device is connected to at least one of the walls for non-removably attaching decorative hardware to the exterior of the casket without accessing the interior of said casket. The decorative hardware includes a decorative body portion and an engaging device. The engaging device provides attachment of the decorative hardware to the attaching device without the use of tools.

Abstract: A burial coffin arrangement including a ceremonial casket which can be used a number of times and which is provided with decorative material and which can be placed over or lifted from a disposable inner casket which is made from a material which is not detrimental to the environment when incinerated and when decomposing. The ceremonial casket includes mutually opposing side walls which are pivotally mounted at the top thereof to the upper part of the ceremonial casket. The side walls can be moved towards one another to form wedge-like inwardly inclined outer walls for the inner casket in a traditional manner. When the side walls are brought towards one another, shoulders on the side walls pass into form-bound engagement with the inner casket so that the caskets can be lifted together. When the ceremonial casket is to be lifted away from the inner casket in the case of cremation or when the inner casket is lowered from the ceremonial casket in the case of burial, the side walls are moved apart.

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: Hardware for a casket which may be quickly and easily twisted into fixed engagement with the casket at a predetermined orientation. The hardware may be easily removed from the casket without leaving metal hardware components in or on the casket. Specifically, an anchor member is fixed to the casket and comprises a twist locking connector which mates with a twist locking connector fixed to an item of casket hardware. The item of hardware preferably comprises a casket handle or other handle component such as a handlebar mount. The twist locking connectors of the anchor member and the item of casket hardware include stop surfaces which engage during a twisting motion of the item of casket hardware. This twisting motion is preferably less than a full turn of the item of casket hardware.