Funeral Merchandising MSCI 2308 Cremation Merchandise and Other Containers

Air trays

(casketed human remains) They have a solid composite wood tray bottom with a corrugated cardboard cover, lifting straps, and cinching straps to secure the top. Most also have corner protectors to prevent damage during shipping and add strength to the base of the unit.

Wood boxes, or shipping crates

(human remains in caskets or metal shipping cases);MAY BE USED to transfer human remains internationally anywhere in the world. Commonly called shipping crates, these boxes are rugged containers designed specifically to carry casketed human remains or metal Ziegler cases.

Combination cases

(human remains only, no casket) (AKA combo case) - case transfer container is used for uncasketed human remains and consists of a particle board tray with a cardboard cover.

Metal (or Ziegler) shipping cases

(human remains only, no casket, These gasketed containers are used as either an insert inside a casket or as an independent shipping container. They may also be placed inside a wooden international shipping box. • These metal containers are usually manufactured using 20-gauge carbon steel and have a gasket that seals the contents inside when the lid is closed and compressed against the body of the case

There are four types of transfer containers:

1. Air trays 2. Combination cases 3. Wood boxes, or shipping crates 4. Metal (or Ziegler)

Miscellaneous Containers

1. Casket liners 2. Pouches 3. Combination units

Combination unit containers serve two purposes

1. Holding infant or child remains for a viewing and funeral service in much the same manner as is accomplished with a traditional casket for an adult. 2. Burial of infant or child remains following a funeral service without the need for an outer burial container

The common minimum volume of a standard urn container is

200 cubic inches

Cemeteries set the rules for when an

OBC is mandatory.

Metal Shipping Case

The screws compress the lid against a rubber gasket in the base piece of the case to create a seal and protect the contents

Casket liners

These are made of metal and placed inside a casket shell to provide additional protection for human remains. They are rarely seen today, having been replaced by metal caskets, metal burial vaults, and concrete burial vaults with metal liners built into them by the manufacturer.

Cremation Caskets

These specialty caskets are engineered and constructed to provide a container for a traditional viewing and funeral service and thereafter used for the cremation process

Combination unit-

a container designed and intended to be used as an all-in-one casket and outer burial receptacle.

Decisions on whether or not an OBC will be required may be based on such criteria as the

age of the deceased, the length of the combination unit, or the container shell material

Alternative Containers

are an enclosure for human remains in preparation for cremation, and are an FTC required option when offering direct cremations

Portion Urns

are chosen when family members want to divide cremated remains into two or more individual containers. • These urns usually hold anywhere from 15 to 70 cubic inches of cremated remains, although there is no industry standard portion size

Urns

are defined as a container for cremated remains

Keepsake urns

are kept by family members in their home or other location of significance to the family or decedent. • usually hold an amount up to 10 cubic inches of cremated remains

Pouches

are leak resistant, zippered bags used to hold human remains and any body fluids. • They provide important sanitary protections to those individuals tasked with handling human remains to ensure containment of any body fluids that may be present. • They are made of a plastic-based material and available in a range of weight thicknesses, with heavy-duty pouches often used at the scene of a violent death, such as an automobile accident or suicide by firearm. Sometimes crudely referred to as 'body bags,

Temporary Containers

are most often plain boxes made of corrugated cardboard, rigid plastic, or light-duty tin.

Scattering Devices

are special containers meant to safely hold cremated remains pending a memorial service or ceremony in a scattering garden or other suitable location; may be known and referred to as scattering tubes, wands, batons, or capsules

A cremation pouch is defined as a

non-rigid, combustible cremation-friendly bag used for human remains

For a cremation funeral, families need at least two containers

one for the cremation process; and a second to safeguard the cremated remains once the process has been completed

Most standard alternative containers today are made from a combination of

robust corrugated cardboard and a minimal amount of wood to reinforce the bottom

Permanent Containers

safeguard the cremated remains of their loved one

Single Urns

usually running an average of between 200 and 230 cubic inches capacity

Alternative containers must

• be composed of an appropriate combustible material; • rigid enough for handling with ease; • capable of protecting the health and safety of the crematory operator; and • provide a level of privacy and respect for the human remains