Education /Mors 200 Arts Final - Funeral Service Merchandising Chapters 1-3 Part 1
Mors 200 Arts Final - Funeral Service Merchandising Chapters 1-3 Part 1
This deck covers key concepts from the first three chapters of Mors 200 Arts Final, focusing on funeral service merchandising, including definitions and historical practices.
A case or receptacle for dead human remains which is anthropoid in shape. Name derived from the Greek word kophinos (basket). Term came into use around 1525 Generally resembles the form of a human being (narrow at the feet and wider at the top) 6 or 8 sides
Coffin
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
A case or receptacle for dead human remains which is anthropoid in shape. Name derived from the Greek word kophinos (basket). Term came into use around 1525 Generally resembles the form of a human being (narrow at the feet and wider at the top) 6 or 8 sides
Coffin
In much of the world outside of the United States and Canada, this is still the standard, or preferred form of burial container. Cultural or religious tradition, practice and preference.
Six Sided Coffin
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Generally the preferred style of burial container in North America.
Casket
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A rigid container which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, or like material, and ornamented and lined with fabric.
Casket (FTC definition)
A case or receptacle in which human remains are placed for protection, practical utility, and a suitable memory picture; any box or container of one or more parts in cremation which may or may not be permanently interred, entombed, or cremated with the dead human remains.
Casket (ABFSE definition)
A small box for jewels, implies that the contents therein are a precious and valuable nature.
Alternative Definition for Casket
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
A case or receptacle for dead human remains which is anthropoid in shape. Name derived from the Greek word kophinos (basket). Term came into use around 1525 Generally resembles the form of a human being (narrow at the feet and wider at the top) 6 or 8 sides | Coffin |
In much of the world outside of the United States and Canada, this is still the standard, or preferred form of burial container. Cultural or religious tradition, practice and preference. | Six Sided Coffin |
Generally the preferred style of burial container in North America. | Casket |
A rigid container which is designed for the encasement of human remains and which is usually constructed of wood, metal, or like material, and ornamented and lined with fabric. | Casket (FTC definition) |
A case or receptacle in which human remains are placed for protection, practical utility, and a suitable memory picture; any box or container of one or more parts in cremation which may or may not be permanently interred, entombed, or cremated with the dead human remains. | Casket (ABFSE definition) |
A small box for jewels, implies that the contents therein are a precious and valuable nature. | Alternative Definition for Casket |
Not uncommon for dead to be buried with no casket at all. Efforts were made for survival, not making caskets (even though there were many skilled cabinet makers). As general welfare increased- use of coffins because more common First among the well-to-do | Early Colonial America |
Buried in coffins made by their families or friends, as there were no professional coffin builders (persisted well into the 20th century in more isolated areas). Coffins made on an “as needed” basis Constructed from locally available materials Lined with white or black cloth Either a roughhewn or finely finished appearance depending on the skill of the builder. Many painted or covered in cloth to conceal surface or finishing flaws. | Settlers in Rural Areas |
Coffins were more frequently provided by professional cabinetmakers. By the early 1800’s specialized in the production of coffins or even offered “undertaking” as a supplemental sideline to their already established business. Something of a status statement (materials varied) Regardless of financial status of the deceased, coffins were generally simple and relatively unadorned containers of practical utility. | Settlers in Urban Areas |
Emphasis of the basic functionality of the coffin gave way to an increasing interest in the coffin’s aesthetics, or “eye appeal.” Prosperity and availability of materials- coffins no longer exclusively wooden. 1836- James Gray’s “metallic coffin” Clay cement, stone, rubber, paper-mache, glass Trapezoidal, mummiform, cruciform Offered protection from resurrectionists Short-term body preservation | Mid 1800’s |
Fisk Metalliac Burial Case and Stein Patent Burial Casket- patented caskets Smaller casket-making proprietorships waned Cabinet makers turned undertakers began to specialize in providing funeral services, purchasing ready-made caskets wholesale and reselling them to their own customers. | Large Industry and Mass Production |
A new ear had dawned, dramatically changing both the casket’s appearance and the manner in which it would be constructed, marketed, distributed, and subsequently sold to the consuming public. | End of the 19th Century |
Wood Metal Polymer plastics Fiberglass | Casket Shell Materials |
Wood and metal account for nearly 98% of all adult caskets sold in America. | Two Dominant Materials Used in Casketmaking (modern) |
No two caskets made of this material are identical. Made up of hollow cells formed from tiny cellulose fibers, and it is estimated that over three million of these fibers can be found in a one inch square block of this material. The more densely packed together these cells are, the harder this material is. These fibers and the cells they form are held together by tenacious, naturally waterproof but flexible glue-like substance known as lignin. | Wood |
Two kinds of wood found in any given species of wood. | Hartwood and Sapwood |
The tree’s best quality of wood, that wood which is in the center of the tree. Cells (though they may store sugar) are no longer actively participating in the day to day life functions of the tree. Cells are saturated with resins that make the wood slightly darker in color and make the wood more decay-resistant. The preferred wood of casket construction | Heartwood |
A term that refers collectively to the layers of wood found between the heartwood and the bark of the tree. Usually lighter in color than heartwood Cells of this wood are the tree’s vascular system, engaged in the ongoing life functions of the tree, circulating water and nutrients. | Sapwood |
Key to understanding the different species of wood. These terms do not refer to the actual relative hardness of the wood | Softwood and Hardwood |
Coniferous (cone-bearing) trees with needles or scale-like foliage, like pines or cedars. | Softwood Species (Gymnosperms) |