Casket Lumber

[Horselog]

I'm trying to identify some more buyers for the lower grade lumber coming out of our grade operation.  There is of course the flooring and pallet markets, and to a lesser extent barn boards sold locally. I had heard about casket lumber as a good market, but haven't been able to find where to inquire about it. Does anyone know who to contact? Or at least the name of a company that buys it? Any info would be appreciated.

[Magicman]

You can try these folks; Batesville Casket Co.  A Google search will probably find more.

[Ron Wenrich]

We sent to York Casket in York, PA.  Generally what they are looking for is a sound back select.  The minimum length is 7' and the minimum width is 5".  They are not interested in wood that is between 9'-13'.  They need a clear cutting of 5"x 7' which they use for lids and sides.  They take random width, just nothing under 5".  They're a bit more lenient on walnut. 

We graded out our lumber and sold them a good deal that upgraded our lumber.  We could sell them a narrow board that would normally go for 1 Com or a nice face and a 2 Com back that would go for 2 Com.  They're a step above flooring grade material.

[schmism]

You can try these folks; Batesville Casket Co.  A Google search will probably find more.

Had a family friend that was a high ranking engineer there for a bunch of years.  Retired now.  But 10-15 years ago i got a indepth tour of the plant several times.

At that time they were buying random width s2s (surface 2 sides) that was kiln dried.   They had there own process/breakdown machines to process the lumber down into pieces they used.   (cut out knots, finger joint back together)

[Kbeitz]

Hey now.... I want the best of the best for my casket...

[plowboyswr]

Hey now.... I want the best of the best for my casket...

Then you better get busy cutting and building it! :D

[Kbeitz]

Hey now.... I want the best of the best for my casket...

Then you better get busy cutting and building it! :D

Don't think that i haven't given that some thought.

[WH_Conley]

I told our local undertaker, nice guy, that I was bringing my own box, that he was to high.

[goose63]

Hey now.... I want the best of the best for my casket...

Then you better get busy cutting and building it! :D

Wife said no box for me she is going to use all my scrape wood and give me a vicking send off right here in the back yard :-\

[shortlogger]

I built my dads , he wanted a simple but well built pine box and that's what he got . Made it out of rough cut 1x15's . A lot of people really liked it, I had  3 different people ask me to build them one after the funeral.

[Horselog]

You can try these folks; Batesville Casket Co.  A Google search will probably find more.

Have you sold to them, or dealt with them in any way?

[Sixacresand]

Sign reportedly seen on a casket manufacturers truck:  "Drive carefully or yours may be on this load"

[Delawhere Jack]

I told our local undertaker, nice guy, that I was bringing my own box, that he was to high.

Already built mine. Using it as a tool box for now.....  :D


 

[Ron Wenrich]

We always said that people were dying for our lumber.

[Magicman]

You can try these folks; Batesville Casket Co.  A Google search will probably find more.

Have you sold to them, or dealt with them in any way?

No, I don't sell lumber.

[scleigh]

since the casket will be inside of a vault, are there any regulations or laws as to the materials or construction required? I know many have said here before that they had built their own, but I always wondered if it was legal. I may build one for myself one day. Anyone else?

[shortlogger]

Depends on the state you live in . In Arkansas you don't need a vault and can use anything you want for a casket . But some states are have much more restrictive regulations .

[LeeB]

I told my family they are free to buy my casket from Hefty or Glad. It won't make any difference to me. I surely won't be in a position to complain.  :D

[Engineer]

Spent my whole career so far as a civil engineer, specializing in water and sewer projects.  Told my wife I wanted to be buried in a manhole, with a custom engraved steel lid for my "stone" and welded shut.  She was not amused.

[qbilder]

My dad wants his made from sassafras so it'll hide his stink.

[GeneWengert-WoodDoc]

Make sure, if you build your own, that everyone (spouse and kids) know, as the funeral home will talk about air tight seals on a casket and the vault, and how yours does not have that, which means that..., etc.  Some play on the emotions of the family.  Also, if a vault is required in the cemetery or by state law, make sure your homemade casket will fit inside the vault.

[Kbeitz]

Make sure, if you build your own, that everyone (spouse and kids) know, as the funeral home will talk about air tight seals on a casket and the vault, and how yours does not have that, which means that..., etc.  Some play on the emotions of the family.  Also, if a vault is required in the cemetery or by state law, make sure your homemade casket will fit inside the vault.

Thanks for the info...

[never finished]

 Make sure the sides are flush with the bottom. Funeral director said it will be a bumpy ride in and out of the coach other wise. If I'm not mistaking federal laws make it possible to use your own.

[LeeB]

And they know it's bumpy because somebody complained?  :D

[shortlogger]

We're kinda old fashioned or backwards depends on how you see it but we use a pickup truck instead of a hearse and the pallbearers lower the casket by hand with ropes  then the family hand covers the grave .