Abstract: A burial compartment for two bodies comprises an outer container and two inner containers separated by two inner panels and a center panel. The burial compartment is configured so as to provide for burial of two bodies in a burial plot dimensioned for only one person. Moreover, the burial compartment makes it possible to provide a sealed inner container for a first, single body until subsequently a second body is placed with the first, at which time two separate inner containers holding the two bodies are easily joined, allowing for eternal rest of two bodies in a single, unified compartment. A method of non-contemporaneous burial is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a casket system having a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, a lid, and bed-like members of like material and construction, the side walls, the end walls and the bottom wall connected to form an open box, the lid removably securable to ledges of the box adjacent the opening of the box to provide a coffin, and wherein the box ledges include means for removably securing the bed-like members thereto when the lid is removed to provide a bed-like arrangement.

Abstract: A cremation urn having a first container adapted for receiving the cremated remains of a deceased person, and a second, concealed container for storing memorabilia. The second container serves as the closure for the first, thus, the second container is substantially contained within the first container, inconspicuous but accessible to a user for the purpose of viewing objects contained therein. The second container is closed with a plug that may carry a vase for holding cut flowers, greenery and so forth. Preferably, the urn has identical openings at opposing ends, so that the first container may close either opening and the other opening can be closed by a plug.

Abstract: An externally mounted removable hardware assembly for a casket having a threaded bolt extending through a hole in a casket side wall. Inside the casket, the bolt threadably engages a nut which is snap-fit within a retention can. The nut has a longitudinally threaded bore therein and is formed from complementary nut sections which mate. An ejector pin is slidably mounted in a longitudinal bore in the bolt. The ejector pin may be depressed from outside of the casket. The pin slides within the bolt bore and contacts the retention cap thereby forcing the retention cap off of the nut allowing the nut halves to fall apart. Once the nut is dislodged from the retention cap and the nut sections have split apart and separated from the bolt, the bolt is thereby freed to be removed from the casket through the hole in the casket exterior wall without opening of the casket.

Abstract: A casket is provided with a stationary hardware system for coupling bars to the sides of the casket such that no load is carried by decorative hardware when lifting the casket with the bars. Each system includes a block for attachment to the side of the casket and a clamp for embracing the bar. Camming surfaces on the block cooperate with surfaces on the clamp to tighten the grip of the clamp about the bar upon tightening a bolt and nut assembly that couples the clamp and block to the casket side.

Abstract: A multi-purpose pet accessory comprises a bottom wall and a vertical wall with an access opening in the front. A panel sized to fit in the access opening is included. By inserting the panel in the access opening, the accessory is suitable for use as a whelping bed. Also included is a lid adapted to fit the bottom and the top of the enclosure. When the accessory is used as a pet bed or whelping bed, the lid is placed on the bottom of the enclosure, forming a decorative base. When the pet passes away, the accessory may be converted to a casket by closing the access opening with the panel and placing the lid on the top of the enclosure.

Abstract: A casket is provided with a stationary hardware system for coupling bars to the sides of the casket such that no load is carried by decorative hardware when lifting the casket with the bars. Each system includes a block for attachment to the side of the casket and a clamp for embracing the bar. Camming surfaces on the block cooperate with surfaces on the clamp to tighten the grip of the clamp about the bar upon tightening a bolt and nut assembly that couples the clamp and block to the casket side.

Abstract: A casket construction includes a central container cavity, including at least one support member directed medially of the container cavity, wherein the support member includes a respective first and second coplanar support, with a medially directed coplanar connecting rib accommodating support of a plurality of individuals upon the respective first and second support plates permitting positioning of the leg portions of the individuals below the support member within the container cavity. A plurality of lids are provided to provide selective access to each individual upon each respective support plate. The invention further includes a cover housing, wherein the cover housing is mounted upon a medial ledge positioned below an upper top surface of the side walls, wherein the housing includes furled cover webs extendable from within the housing to selectively cover discrete portions of individuals mounted upon the support member.

Abstract: Non-invasive hardware for a metal casket. A casket wall is deformed to form a recess. A slotted plate is welded to the recess. A hardware assembly includes a rivet head that is slid into the slot and under the plate. A plastic strip mates with the slot to hold the hardware assembly from slipping out from the slot in the plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that provides for underground burial in an enclosed air, and water-tight capsule filled with a preservative gas or liquid. The burial chamber provides a method of keeping a corpse in a freshly preserved state at the bottom of bodies of water. The result is a saving on the usage of vital land space.

Abstract: A tray with a bottom of a casket has a bottom wall, longitudinal side walls and transverse end walls that are interconnected to create a water-tight container. A network of upstanding ribs is formed on the bottom wall to create a plurality of discrete isolated compartments for the retention of liquids. The side walls and end walls have vertical, inwardly projecting ribs for stiffening purposes. The tray is preferably made by vacuum forming of a thermoplastic material such as high density polyethylene.

Abstract: A casket has a metal shell. A plurality of blocks project from the surface of the shell and are integral with the shell. Mounts are secured over the blocks and have laterally-projecting trunnions. Arms are mounted on the trunnions at one end and receive a handle bar at the other, thereby providing a pivotable handle bar mount.

Abstract: A thin sheet of metal foil is inserted in a typewriter and conventional typing strokes produce indentations therein. The ribbon of the typewriter contains material of a high degree of visibility which is deposited at the bottom of the indentations. A fixative ensures that the material is properly disposed in place. The sheet is mounted on a base and a layer of clear plastic is provided around the plaque. The plaque is removably mounted on a coffin by a pair of pins or brackets each of which includes portions disposed at an angle of about 45.degree. to one another. Attaching means including a bracelet secures the plaque to the remains within the coffin.

Abstract: A funeral vault having a dome and a base slidably received within a casket receiving hollow of the dome. The dome is preferably comprised of a plurality of components adhered together and covered with an outer protective cover or laminate. A sloped extension is provided along the lower edge of the dome and the base has an oppositely sloped peripheral edge such that a frictional engagement is provided between the base and dome as the base slides within the casket receiving hollow. The frictional engagement between the base increases as the base slides upwardly within the hollow interior cavity so as to provide a sealing function which prevents condensation as well as the entry of air and water within the casket receiving hollow. The base member also includes feet extending from a bottom surface of the base. The feet include a slotted section for receipt of the lowering straps. The feet also help ion pushing the base up within the casket receiving hollow as the dome is covered with soil.

Abstract: A plural display burial casket utilizes two substantially equal top portions which are hingedly attached to opposed sides of a casket body. The top portions utilize quick release mechanisms which allow the top portion acting as the unselected foot end of the casket to be expediently turned aside during casketing procedures. The unselected top portion is then returned to its original position. The casket is adapted to be either a protective type or non-protective type casket.

Abstract: A casket construction includes a metal container for a body having a bottom and side walls of metal material which is susceptible to corrosion. A non-corrosive liner pan is located in the bottom of the container to shield the bottom and the side walls from corrosion. The liner pan is a unitary member including a base and integral side walls which interlock with the side walls of the metal container to hold the liner pan in place so as to locate the base in close juxtaposed relationship with the bottom of the metal container.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to caskets. It is for caskets that can be fabricated in such a manner that they are adaptable to assembly at point of use. In the manufacture of caskets, the cost of transportation between assembly point and the mortician has continued to grow out of proportion to the cost of the casket. The unassembled or knocked down parts shipped directly to the mortician would reduce freight charges and storage space requirements. By assembly at the point of use it might well lead to lower funeral costs and a wider selection of casket types and styles for the public.

Abstract: A light weight cultured marble casket is provided which is aesthetically pleasing in appearance, durable in construction and resistant to deterioration by the elements. The casket comprises a body member having an exterior portion formed of cultured marble and a base member (which cooperates with the body member to form a unitary structure having a cavity formed therein), a closure assembly pivotally connected to the body member for selectively sealing the cavity and for permitting access thereto, and a securing assembly for securing and locking the closure assembly to the body member when the closure assembly is in a closed sealing position. The base or bottom portion of the casket, as well as the interior portion of the body member and the interior portion of the closure assembly, are fabricated of a fiberglass-containing resinous material.

Abstract: A casket is provided including a one-piece upwardly opening tub or base and a pair of hingedly supported head and foot end covers. The head and foot end covers include horizontally opposing marginal portions extending between opposite sides of the tub, the tub upper marginal edge includes an inner peripheral portion having a peripherally continuous seal structure supported therefrom and an outer peripheral portion having a substantially peripherally continuous magnet structure supported therefrom. The marginal portions of the cover overlying the marginal portions of the tub are constructed of ferrous material for magnetic attraction to the magnetic material supported from the tub and the horizontally opposing marginal portions of the head and foot covers include coacting seal structure for forming a fluid tight seal therebetween when the covers are in the closed positions.

Abstract: A casket bed has a rectangular metal frame formed by inserting tongues projecting from some frame members into slots in the adjacent frame member. Bands of industrial strapping are wrapped horizontally and longitudinally about the frame to complete the formation of the bed.

Abstract: A mortuary display platform is provided with a transparent dome and refrigeration for viewing and for temporary preservation of a corpse prior to burial. A wheeled housing base containing a refrigeration unit, a dehumidifier, and a conditioned air control system supports the display platform. Electrical connections are included for electrical outlet operation. A rechargeable battery pack in the wheeled housing allows portable operation. The deceased can be viewed during services through the transparent dome, and conditioned air passed through vents inside the transparent dome from the conditioned air control system in the wheeled housing maintains the corpse in a cooled environment. An opaque burial cover fitting over the display platform encompassing the transparent dome is provided. The display platform can be detached from the wheeled housing base and, with the burial cover in place, the covered display platform can be use as a burial unit.

Abstract: A transverse rubber gasket at the joint between the head and foot sections of a cut top casket. The gasket has a pair of longitudinal ribs on one surface and aligned grooves on the opposed surface to provide space for rubber flow as the gasket is compressed.

Abstract: A casket assembly including a liner arranged to nest securely within an outer casket. The casket is provided with releasable support means whereby in one mode the assembly can be raised with the liner supported within the casket and, in another mode, with the support means released, the casket can be removed from around the liner. The assembled peripheral wall may taper downwardly and inwardly to provide an open lower end of restrictive dimensions relative to the liner.

Abstract: A two piece burial vault comprised of a cooperating pair of high density, molded polystyrene members which are adapted to be frictionally, foricibly coupled together to surround, seal and enclose a conventional casket. A lower generally planar base unit supports the coffin or casket, and an upper dome-like enclosure is adapted to be frictionally coupled to the lower base and forcibly maintained in relation therewith by the subsequent compressive force of accumulated dirt after burying of the vault. The base includes an inner surface from which a pair of upwardly projecting ridges emanate for supporting the casket. The sides and edges of the base are appropriately angled, for frictional interfitting with similarly configured internal edges of the dome. The base includes a downwardly projecting centered deck adapted to contact the lower surface of the grave, which is bordered by a pair of offset ledges which are adapted to receive and facilitate the use of conventional vault lowering straps.

Abstract: A casket having a shell formed of sheet material and having a frame surrounding a lower portion of the shell, the frame having casket-handling components and being separably interconnected with the shell.

Abstract: A casket system formed of a unitary casket cover having opposed sides, ends, a top and a open bottom, a coffin dimensioned to receive a human body therein and being further dimensioned to be received within the casket cover through the open bottom of the casket cover, and web members extending below the casket cover and attached to it for maintaining the coffin within the cover, the webs being releaseable so as to remove the casket cover from the coffin prior to depositing the coffin in a grave.

Abstract: A modular casket includes a body receiving compartment defined by at least one modular base section having a rectangular base panel and a pair of rectangular side panels integrally hingedly connected to the base panel along longitudinal marginal edges, and a pair of modular end pieces each of which includes a bottom wall and an upstanding end wall. The base panel, side panels and modular end pieces have mutually cooperable connecting flanges formed thereon which are adapted for selective interconnection to establish a body receiving compartment having an upper peripheral edge on which a modular cover lid may be mounted in sealed relation. The various modular components are made of a lightweight, high strength double-wall plastic construction and facilitate shipment and storage in compact kit form for assembly at the point of use without special tools.

Abstract: A casket assembly of the casket surround type in which the casket surround includes a movable floor and an adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering the floor or tilting the floor. The floor is raised during the viewing process to provide an optimal viewing position and is lowered following the viewing process so that the vault can be sealed and the sealed vault may be transported within the casket surround to the burial site. The casket surround comprises a simple core structure to which the various components of exterior ornamentation are removably secured so that damaged components may be readily and selectively removed and replaced. One end wall of the casket surround is hinged adjacent its lower edge so that it may be pivoted to a lowered, open position to facilitate insertion or removal of the vault from the casket surround.

Abstract: This viewing pouch is a box made of flexible material having a part of the top panel of flexible transparent material and is suitable for containing a body from pickup at hospital, through funeral service and viewing and on to crematory for cremation. While the unit is of flexible material and may be folded into a compact bundle when empty and later conforms to the dead body in bag-like fashion, elongated elements are adapted to be inserted in loops of fabric on the top panel to stiffen and support the top panel of the pouch to give it a dressy and formal appearance when it is installed in a casket during viewing. The pouch is particularly suited to contain the body of a person dead from a communicable disease, because from hospital through viewing to crematory, the body need not be removed from the pouch. This avoids risks of communicating the disease to others.

Abstract: A casket lid and method of manufacture is disclosed. The lid is formed by cutting corrugated fiberboard to form a blank having a central section and end sections, the central section being scored on parallel lines extended longitudinally of the lid, and the central section is flexed on the score lines to provide a domed configuration.

Abstract: A burial casket is provided with a capsule which extends from a casket side wall inwardly and contains information regarding the remains contained in the casket. The capsule is removable from the casket to give access to the information without opening the casket.

Abstract: A hinge is adapted to be mounted in either of two mountings, a first or flush mounting which enables closing of a cover so that it touches a container portion, and a second or spaced mounting in which the cover is maintained in spaced relation to the container portion. The hinge comprises a strap which is detachably coupled to a hinge base. The strap comprises a strap plate and at least two hooks affixed thereto. The hinge base comprises a hinge plate having an aperture in a center portion thereof a vertically protruding arcuate rib, and a support bar. In a first mounting the strap is detachably and rotatably mounted on the support bar of the hinge base so that both hooks of the strap are mounted on the support bar. In the second mounting the cover is initially detached from the container, laterally displaced along the axis of the support bar, and replaced so that only one of the hooks is mounted on the support bar.

Abstract: A coffin for properly displaying and transporting a corpse is combined with features of a burial vault or crypt so that only the single unit is needed to inter the corpse. The coffin-vault combination, although inexpensively thin walled, is constructed in such a manner, with particular reinforcing and interlocking means, that numerous units may be stacked, one above another, above or below ground. When above ground they may constitute modules for constructing a mausoleum. Each unit has valves which may be connected to conduits and fluid and gas control units for the single unit, or a column, or columns of units constituting an entire mausoleum.

Abstract: A burial casket assembly comprises a decorative casket, an insert casket, a base, and a vault cover. The decorative casket receives the insert casket and comprises a decorative container and a decorative cover. The insert casket comprises an insert casket and an insert cover. The decorative casket is supported on the base, and the vault cover is placeable upon the base to encase the decorative casket. The decorative cover is arranged to bear against the insert cover so that when the former is tightened-down, it urges the latter into sealing relationship against the insert container. A hinge arrangement is provided for the decorative casket which enables the cover of the decorative casket to be swung open to either side or completely removed from the decorative container. The floor of the insert container is itself profiled to support the deceased in the traditional posture of repose.

Abstract: A three piece molded casket structure comprising a tub section, and head and foot lid sections. The tub section is structured so that plural tub sections can be nested one within another. The lid sections are structured so that plural lid sections can be nested one within another and, when inverted, stacked within the top tub section of a nested stack of tub sections. As many as five tub and two lid sections (enough for five complete caskets) may be stacked into a shipment package with sufficient space between the stacked tubs and lids to allow for storage of all components such as pillows, mattresses, and upholstering necessary to complete the five caskets. The stack of five is then no higher than the space now required and conventionally used to take a single casket to market. Each lid section also incorporates novel fasteners on the lid's inside face so that an upholstered interior can be easily attached to and detached from the lid.

Abstract: A lightweight burial vault made entirely of plastic with appropriate stabilizers and additives which can be sealed so as to be moisture proof and has sufficient strength and durability to withstand the loading forces of the fill earth, comprises a base unit forming the floor of the vault and a dome-like cover having a concave top integrally molded to the upstanding side and end walls thereof. A system of ribs is formed integrally to the outside of the cover, and means are provided for sealing the cover to the base unit. The base unit may have a plurality of spaced apart troughs extending thereacross to collect fluids inside the vault.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a casket ornament structure and more specifically, relates to a handle mounting ornament which can be used to decorate the structural members of a casket handle.

Abstract: A combination burial vault and casket and funeral and burial method or system using the same in a funeral and burial service. An interiorly decorated "surround" or false casket frame having a hinged top is disposed over the base of the vault and cooperates with the interiorly decorated base of the burial vault to provide a casket during visitation at the funeral home. Carrying handle structures are provided for carrying either the assembled base and the surround or false casket or the assembled base and cover of the vault, with the remains of the deceased therein, to the cemetary after the visitation and funeral services at the funeral home.In one practice of the invention, when the base and cover of the vault are assembled at the close of services at the funeral home, the surround or false casket with the carrying handle structures thereon is retained at the funeral home for reuse.

Abstract: A coffin comprising substantially pairs of mutually opposing side walls, a bottom and a lid. At least the side walls are made of a strong corrugated paper material having inwardly turned bottom flaps. The bottom flaps are fixed between an outer bottom plate and an inner bottom plate whose edges abut the inner surfaces of the side walls. Attachment means are provided for mounting foot supports on the under surface of the bottom plate, said attachment means extending through at least the outer bottom plate and the bottom flaps.

Abstract: An improved multi-element casket comprising a facade of an outer casket shell having a top and sidewalls is disclosed. A container bottom is configured and dimensioned to be disposed within the outer casket shell with the sidewalls of the outer casket shell extending around the container bottom. Support means is provided for supporting the container bottom within the outer casket shell. This support means comprises at least first and second mating support elements which interlock with each other and a planar support member positioned above them. Sheet means is configured, dimensioned and positioned to lie above the bottom of the container bottom and adjacent to sidewalls of the container bottom. Separator means, separate from the sheet means, is provided for supporting the sheet means in spaced relationship to the bottom of the container bottom.

Abstract: A disposable casket adapted to rest on a platform is disclosed. The casket comprises bedding which rests in a casket bottom element. An outer casket shell is disposed over and around the casket bottom element. This outer casket shell includes a top planar element which has a viewing means to allow visitors to see the face of the deceased.The inventive casket may be made of waxed-treated cardboard to keep costs to a minimum. The effects of decomposition may be neutralized to some extent by the provision of compartments containing a deodorizer, a desiccant, and/or a perfumery or fragrance-bearing material.

Abstract: Casket according to the teachings of the present invention is disclosed including, a bottom, a first side, a second side, a first end, a second end, and a top. The parts of the casket are longitudinally, slidably interconnected together such that each successive part of the casket interfits and interlocks with the others. Thus the bottom, sides, ends, and top interfit in a fashion that the assembly of the top locks the bottom, sides, and ends and prevents movement of the bottom, sides, and ends in any direction to form a rigid, unitary, complete casket obviating the necessity of any further fastening elements of any kind. In the preferred embodiment, no hardware of any kind is required in the assembly of the casket. Therefore, the casket according to the teachings of the present invention meets certain religious requirements and allows a dignified burial while avoiding excessive costs.

Abstract: A lightweight, disposable transportation casket, including a shell section with a cover releasably attached thereto by securing straps. Mattress sections are supported inside the shell on a liner and the remains rest on the mattress sections. The sides of the container cover form a skirt and flare outwardly to form a handgrip by which the casket can be lifted. The remains are wrapped in a cover and rest on the mattress sections, and are held in place by straps. A headrest maintains the head in the desired position, and indicia on the cover identifies the head end of the casket.

Abstract: This is concerned with a casket structure and more specifically relates to a handle mounting arrangement which will be structurally strong and will be constructed to take the loads involved but at the same time will present a pleasing exterior appearance which is important for caskets.

Abstract: A handle hinge mounted to a container wall which transfers the lifting force in a direction parallel and normal to the container wall. A base plate is mounted to the side wall of the container to be lifted by a lifting arm pivotally mounted to the base. The base includes an exterior stop surface and an interior stop surface which are simultaneously contacted respectively by a ledge formed on the lifting arm and the distal end of a finger projecting into the base from the lifting arm. The interior and exterior stop surfaces are positioned so as to transfer lifting force in a direction parallel to and perpendicular to the side wall of the container. In one embodiment, a pair of interior stop surfaces are provided whereas in another embodiment, four interior stop surfaces are provided, all of which contact the flat distal end of the finger mounted to the lifting arm.

Abstract: A multi-element casket, particularly useful for services involving the cremation of the deceased is disclosed. The casket comprises a container bottom configured and dimensioned to contain suitable bedding and the deceased. The container bottom is supported by a platform which also supports a casket shell. The casket shell is placed over the container bottom and has sidewalls which are configured and dimensioned to extend around the container bottom and be supported by the platform, thus giving the appearance of a conventional casket. When the deceased is to be cremated, the shell is raised and the container bottom, containing the deceased and the bedding, is covered and sent to the crematory.

Abstract: An inflated casket which may remain deflated for storage prior to use and for transportation prior to storage. The casket body is provided with one or a plurality of chambers into which a fluid substance is injected for distending the chambers to cause the casket body to assume an erect position for use. The fluid substance while usually in the form of a gas, such as air, may constitute a substance which will subsequently solidify to produce a substantially rigid casket body.

Abstract: A casket construction includes a metal container for a body having a bottom and side walls of metal material which is susceptible to corrosion. A non-corrosive liner pan is located in the bottom of the container to shield the bottom and the side walls from corrosion. The liner pan is a unitary member including a base and integral side walls which interlock with the side walls of the metal container to hold the liner pan in place so as to locate the base in close juxtaposed relationship with the bottom of the metal container.

Abstract: A tray with a bottom of a casket has a bottom wall, longitudinal side walls and transverse end walls that are interconnected to create a water-tight container. A network of upstanding ribs is formed on the bottom wall to create a plurality of discrete isolated compartments for the retention of liquids. The side walls and end walls have vertical, inwardly projecting ribs for stiffening purposes. The tray is preferably made by vacuum forming of a thermoplastic material such as high density polyethylene.