In the post-Covid era, online shopping has never been easier and more convenient. Anything can be bought online, including a funeral casket.

The conventional method of purchasing a casket for your lost loved one can be very daunting. It involves going to a funeral home while in a state of mourning and being pressed into buying. The casket sellers are usually not sympathetic; they want to make sales and often inflate the price to reach their targets. People are now opting for online caskets to avoid the unnecessary agony of feeling hassled.

Buying a casket online has its perks. First, nobody will be trying to push you to buy something you don’t need. There are no sales tricks, just the tiny markup. Second, it is conveniently done at home.

There are tons of online casket sellers on the internet with high-quality caskets at very affordable prices. Most sell quality caskets at lower than average funeral home prices because they partner directly with manufacturers. By eliminating the middleman, there are no extra hidden fees.

Purchasing a casket can be a difficult task because you’ve lost someone close to you, so it’s hard to concentrate on something. But that is precisely why the process has been made even more efficient for you. Below is a guide on what you need to know before buying caskets online.

Your Budget

The budget is always a great place to start your purchasing journey. It keeps you from overspending on a casket and accidentally making some bad decisions.

Now, lots of challenges come with setting a budget. The truth is, most make the mistake of spending on a fancy casket to prove how much they loved their lost loved ones. Of course, all this is unnecessary. Choosing a casket should not prove affection but provide the lost loved one with a dignified funeral.

The best way to go about this is by setting a budget and looking at the finances. It would make no sense to purchase a fancy casket if the loved one was a down-to-earth person and very humble. But if the loved one was thrifty and liked enjoying nice things, then, by all means, a fancy one will do.

Casket vs. Coffin

You might be wondering whether there is a difference between the two. Many people mistake one for the other. The truth is, there is a difference, and retailers prefer using a casket instead of a coffin because it’s more appealing and not scary. But there is a difference between the two in the design. Caskets are rectangular, while coffins are wide at the shoulders and narrower at the feet. The other difference is that caskets tend to have a fancier interior and finish. It includes a comfortable cloth interior, usually velvet material and high-quality fabric. Coffins, on the other hand, have a minimalistic interior design.

You can already tell that coffins are cheaper than caskets by the description.

Metal or Wooden Casket

Why choose a wooden casket over a metal casket or vice versa? Well, it all depends on the purpose and personal preferences. You see, if you’re planning to cremate a loved one, then a wooden casket is the way to go. Metal caskets are not suitable for cremation. Metal caskets are often used because they come with gasket seals that can be sealed.

With wooden caskets, you have two options- solid wood or veneer wood. Solid wood is of higher quality and has excellent craftsmanship. This also means it comes at a high price tag. On the other hand, veneer wood is more economical. It looks similar to solid wood but a bit cheaper.

Most metal caskets are made of bronze, copper, and steel. Bronze caskets last longer because they don’t rust. On the other hand, Steel caskets come in different grades, styles, finishes, and gauges. Gauge is the term referring to the thickness of the steel. Thick gauges have a lower gauge, meaning a 16 gauge casket is more durable than an 18 gauge casket.

Full-Couch Casket or a Half Couch Casket

A half-couch casket consists of two separate pieces that serve as a lid. The head section is left open during the funeral service, and the foot section is closed. It is rare for both halves to remain open during service.

A full couch casket doesn’t have separate halves in the lid. The entire body is revealed during the viewing or funeral service.

There is little difference between the two. The half couch is traditional, while a full couch casket is more eccentric and fashionable. It is suitable for honoring loved ones

who are stylish.

You Might Need an Oversized Casket

Humans are larger and taller than they were hundreds of years ago. Scientists say that it’s because of the access to food, attention to physical fitness, and evolution. The better the case for an oversized casket. If your loved one was extra tall or big-boned, the oversized casket is recommended.

It is easier to find an oversized casket online than in person. Many funeral homes don’t stock them, and when they do, they charge significantly more than the ordinary casket. However, you can easily find oversized caskets online that come at a relatively lower price than funeral homes.

A standard oversized casket measures 78 by 27.5 by 14.5 inches when it comes to measurements. That’s length, width, and height, respectively. An extra oversized measures 85.5 by 30.5 by 14.5 inches.

Tips for Buying a Casket Online

Ask questions. Make sure to ask enough questions. It will help you get the best one for your loved one. Don’t regard your questions as too silly. Ask as many questions as you can.

Don’t buy caskets online until you are sure that you are making the right choice. Buying a casket is a permanent choice. To avoid the anguish of regrets, take your time. Do your research and think about your options before purchasing the casket online.

Have a friend assist you. Purchasing a casket for a loved one can be overwhelming. Hence, it’s helpful to have a family member or trusted friend help you do it.