When planning a funeral, there are many details to consider, and one of them is the weight of the coffin. This seemingly small detail actually plays a fairly big role in the logistics, transportation, and even the overall cost of the funeral arrangements.
So, how much does a coffin weigh, exactly? This article will give you a comprehensive overview of the factors that influence casket weight, including the materials used, the size of the casket, and the fittings and hardware included.
Factors Influencing Casket Weight: A Detailed Overview
The weight of a casket is affected by a few things, including what it’s made of and how big it is.
Casket Materials: Impact on Weight
The material a casket is constructed from plays a big role in its final weight:
- Wood: The density and weight of wood varies by type. Pine is generally lighter, at about 43 pounds per cubic foot. Mahogany and cherry are heavier, at 53 to 56 pounds per cubic foot. High-end hardwood caskets weigh 240 to 285 pounds, mid-range hardwood caskets weigh 165 to 215 pounds, and lower-end softwood caskets weigh 95 to 150 pounds.
- Metal: Stainless steel is heavier than some woods, at 494 pounds per cubic foot. Gold is very heavy, at 1,200 pounds per cubic foot. Steel caskets weigh 175 to 250 pounds, though this can vary based on the gauge, size, and features of the casket. Copper and bronze caskets weigh 260 to 310 pounds.
- Alternative Materials: For cremation or green burials, lighter options are available. Fiberboard and plywood caskets are affordable. Wicker caskets are lightweight, at 66 to 110 pounds. Cardboard caskets are the lightest, at 20 to 80 pounds, and they’re biodegradable.
Size and Dimensions: How Size Affects Weight
The dimensions of a casket also affect its weight:
- Standard Caskets: Standard caskets are about 24 inches wide and 79 inches long on the inside. The external dimensions are 28.5 inches wide and 82 inches long.
- Oversized Caskets: Wider caskets are available in 27 ½-inch and 30 ½-inch widths. Double oversized caskets can be up to 44 inches wide and weigh about 330 pounds.
- Children’s Caskets: Children’s caskets are about 60 inches long and 11 inches wide, with a weight capacity of 150 to 220 pounds.
Weight Specifications Across Different Casket Types
Caskets come in a range of materials, each with its own density. Here’s how the weight breaks down by casket type:
Wooden Caskets: Weighing the Options
Wooden caskets come in a variety of wood types, which affects the overall weight.
- Softwood Caskets: These caskets are on the lighter side, weighing between 95 and 180 pounds. They can typically hold up to 300 pounds.
- Hardwood Caskets: Hardwood caskets are more durable and, therefore, heavier. Expect these to weigh between 165 and 215 pounds, with a weight capacity of around 350 pounds.
- High-End Hardwood Caskets: Caskets made of premium hardwoods can weigh anywhere from 180 to 285 pounds, and they often have a higher weight capacity, around 400 pounds.
Metal Caskets: Durability and Weight
Metal caskets are known for their durability, but the type of metal also impacts the weight.
- Steel Caskets: A common choice, 20-gauge steel caskets usually weigh between 170 and 190 pounds.
- Stainless Steel Caskets: Stainless steel caskets offer corrosion resistance and are roughly the same weight as steel caskets, around 170 to 190 pounds.
- Bronze and Copper Caskets: These premium metals result in heavier caskets, typically weighing between 260 and 310 pounds.
Alternative Caskets: Lightweight and Eco-Friendly
If you’re looking for a lighter and more environmentally conscious option, consider these alternatives:
- Plywood & Fiberboard Caskets: These economical caskets weigh between 80 and 180 pounds.
- Wicker Caskets: Made from natural materials, wicker caskets are lightweight, usually weighing up to 110 pounds.
- Cardboard Caskets: The simplest and lightest option, cardboard caskets can weigh as little as 20 pounds, but typically range up to 80 pounds.
Additional factors affecting casket weight
The type of material used in the casket’s construction is the biggest factor in determining the weight of a casket. However, there are other factors that can add to the overall weight.
Furnishings and fittings: The added weight
Even though they’re relatively small, handles, hinges, and clasps contribute to the overall weight of the casket. The interior lining also adds to the weight, although it’s usually a minimal amount.
Personalization options: The impact of customization
Families often choose to add decorative elements and ornamentation to the casket, which can increase the weight. Some caskets have gaskets that seal the lid shut, which adds a bit of weight as well.
Casket lid type
The type of lid can also affect the weight of the casket. Caskets tend to be heavier than coffins because of their design and the materials used to make them.
How does casket weight affect funeral procedures?
The weight of a casket is a serious consideration when planning a funeral. Here’s why:
- Transportation: Heavier caskets require more robust vehicles and more careful handling.
- Burial: Casket weight affects the depth and dimensions of the grave, which in turn affects burial costs. Keep in mind that standard cemetery plots are only 30 inches wide.
- Cremation: A very heavy casket could affect how well the cremation process works. Some crematoriums even have weight restrictions.
- Pallbearers: The number of people needed to carry the casket will depend on the combined weight of the casket and the body inside.
- Regulations: In some areas, regulations apply to the weight of caskets.
In Summary
When planning a funeral, the weight of the casket is one of the many important details to consider. The weight of a casket can vary widely, and it depends on the materials used to make the casket, its size, and the hardware and other fittings that are added.
It’s essential to understand that weight restrictions may apply at the cemetery, and there may be logistical challenges that will influence your choice. For example, a lightweight wooden casket is much easier to carry than a bronze one.
Your funeral director can help you understand the weight of different caskets and explain any local regulations that may apply. They are also the best source of information about the practical implications of choosing a heavier casket.