Whether you are planning a funeral service for a beloved family member or pre-planning your own celebration of life event, consider casket rentals. There are reasons to rent rather than purchase caskets, such as those contributing to “green” burials. Learn more about renting a casket below, including what the process involves. 

Why Do People Rent Caskets?

A rental casket looks like a traditional casket made of wood or metal but features a removable cardboard insert. These inserts hold the bodies of loved ones, then get removed after the funeral service for reuse. The caskets are used when the funeral features a traditional viewing, but the remains will be cremated. Rentals are additionally used for those who want “green burials,” such as burial in biodegradable cardboard boxes but want the appearance of wooden caskets for ceremony purposes. 

Renting a casket instead of buying one provides a cost-effective funeral arrangement solution that is ideal if you do not want to spend a lot on your funeral or the deceased loved one asked for a budget-friendly service. Since the caskets get reused, they conserve cemetery space and reduce manufacturer-related energy usage. 

How Does the Process Work? 

After the loved one’s body has been embalmed and dressed for viewing, the cardboard insert is added to the selected rental casket. Inserts can also be made of wood, such as pine. Rental caskets feature special doors for placing and removing the insert. These doors are typically located at one end of the casket and function in a drop-down door style. 

When the funeral service ends, the insert and body are removed and the body is either sent to the local crematorium or cemetery, depending on the deceased individual’s or family’s wishes. If the body will be buried, a cardboard box or other environmentally-friendly casket might be used, such as one made of woven wicker materials. 
 

If a rental casket is right for you or a loved one, discuss options with E.C. Nurre Funeral Homes Inc. Since 1960, the funeral home has provided customized funeral services for families throughout the Greater Cincinnati, OH, area. They offer casket rentals and cremations. Call (513) 753-6130 to schedule a consultation or learn more about funeral services online.