Specialty Caskets: Themed, Personalized and Eco-Friendly Options

A specialty casket is any casket chosen to reflect the person: a themed or printed exterior, a custom interior, military touches, a hand-built shape, or a biodegradable design. You can buy one from any seller, and the funeral home must accept it. Before you order, check what the cemetery or crematory allows, because metal caskets cannot be cremated and green burial grounds expect biodegradable containers.

What counts as a specialty casket?

There is no official category. The term covers anything beyond a standard showroom model. Common kinds include:

For the basics of materials, see types of caskets. For more ways to personalize, see casket customization.

Which specialty options are worth a look?

Themed and printed caskets. A hobby, team, place or favorite color can be shown through printing, wrapping, painting or a custom interior. Ask the seller for a proof before production and a written delivery date.

Military caskets. The VA provides a burial flag to drape on a casket, or to place with an urn, for eligible veterans and reservists. The next of kin or a close friend applies with VA Form 27-2008, through a funeral director, a VA regional office or a post office. The flag is the main military touch for many families. Eligibility depends on service history, so check the VA page.

Biodegradable caskets. For green burial, the Green Burial Council says the body goes into a biodegradable container with no burial vault. That can be a casket, shroud, urn or pouch made entirely of biodegradable materials. See the green burial guide and shroud burial.

Fantasy coffins. In Ghana's Greater Accra Region, carpenters build colorful coffins in the shape of objects such as animals and vehicles. They grew out of Ga beliefs that life continues after death and are now exhibited in museums. They are an example of how far a custom coffin can go, but one-off shapes may not suit a US cemetery, so confirm the rules before anyone starts building.

Cremation-ready choices. You do not need a casket to cremate. The FCA suggests dressing a plain alternative container with a cloth, a quilt or a flag. If you want a nicer casket for a viewing, see rental caskets.

What do specialty caskets cost?

There is no reliable national price for custom work. The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) reports that the average casket costs about $2,000 to $5,000, a simple cloth-covered wood casket might cost $1,000, and a deluxe bronze casket can cost over $30,000. Those figures are from brochures revised in 2020, so prices have likely risen.

Personalization usually costs more than a stock model of the same material. Ask for a written quote that shows the base casket, the custom work, delivery and any deposit.

What are your rights when buying?

• Buy from any seller. A funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket you bought online, at a local casket store or somewhere else, or charge you a fee to do it.
• No need to be there. The funeral home cannot require you to be present when it is delivered.
• See the price list first. You are entitled to a written casket price list before you see the actual caskets.

See buying a casket online and bringing your own casket for more on outside purchases.

What should you check before ordering?

1. Burial or cremation. Metal caskets cannot be cremated. CANA says any casket for cremation must be combustible and non-toxic, so ask the crematory about finishes, decorations and items placed inside. Not everything is combustible and some items can damage the equipment.
2. Cemetery rules. The FTC says state law does not require an outer burial container, but many cemeteries do. Green burial sites want biodegradable containers and no vault.
3. Size. A custom or decorative design may change dimensions. See the casket sizing guide.
4. Logos and names. A trademark is any word, phrase, symbol or design that identifies goods or services, and team and brand names and logos are usually protected this way. If a design uses one, ask the seller whether it is licensed or whether they offer team-inspired colors instead.
5. Claims of protection. The FTC says funeral homes cannot claim that goods will delay natural decomposition for a long or indefinite time. Be wary of any seller who says a sealed casket preserves the body.
6. Timing. Custom work is not ready the same day. Get a delivery date in writing and keep a plain backup option.

What to do next

1. Decide whether the plan is burial or cremation, and ask the cemetery or crematory what it accepts.
2. Get the funeral home's casket price list and compare it with one or two outside sellers.
3. Ask for a proof, a written quote and a delivery date for any custom design.
4. If the person wanted a specific look, look for any written funeral wishes or ask family who knew them.