Budget Coffins & Caskets
What is the Difference Between a Coffin and a Casket?
You may never have needed to know that a casket and a coffin are actually two different things. But if you suddenly find yourself having to choose between a casket or a coffin for a funeral, you’ll want to know the difference.
What is the Difference Between ‘Coffin’ and ‘Casket’?
The most obvious difference is their appearance: coffins and caskets are shaped differently. Read on to learn more.
Caskets
A casket is a specially-designed box made to contain a deceased person’s body. It’s typically used during a funeral service for viewing the body. Then, if the family has not chosen a cremation burial, the casket containing the body is lowered into the ground during the burial ceremony.
If the family has chosen cremation for their loved one (or they’ve pre-arranged it themselves), the casket is not always buried. Sometimes it may only be utilized for the viewing, visitation, or wake, as well as the funeral service. But sometimes a cremation urn is placed within a casket and the casket is indeed buried.
By now you should have a clear image of what a casket looks like. It’s rectangular and typically features hinged bars on each side for carrying.
But what, then, is a coffin?
Coffins:
A coffin is also a specially designed box that holds a deceased person’s body for a funeral service. Like a casket, it may also be used for the viewing and burial.
But here’s the main difference: coffins have six sides. That might be hard to picture. It may help to think of an old movie you’ve seen, particularly a western. In movies set in the 1800’s, you’re likely to see a coffin, not a casket, if there is a funeral scene.
In coffins, the top part of the box is wider than the bottom.
But that’s not the only difference between coffins and caskets. So how do you choose between a casket or a coffin for a funeral?
What this Means for You: Costs
While the shape of a casket and coffin is the core differentiator between the two, this leads to another big difference.
Casket & Coffin Pricing:
The reason that coffins are built to be narrower at the bottom is to save money on wood. They’re designed to accommodate the wider shoulder width of a body and the narrower width of the feet. As such, they tend to be cheaper than caskets.
Ultimately, the choice of a casket or a coffin depends on factors such as price and preferred shape. But both are appropriate for a funeral.
The reason that coffins are built to be narrower at the bottom is to save money on wood. They’re designed to accommodate the wider shoulder width of a body and the narrower width of the feet. As such, they tend to be cheaper than caskets.
Ultimately, the choice of a casket or a coffin depends on factors such as price and preferred shape. But both are appropriate for a funeral.
Our Caskets & Coffin Options:
- Budget Casket
- Dome Casket
- 4 Tier Casket
- Plain Coffin
- 3 Tier Coffin
- Flat-lid Kiaat Foil (New)
English 
Afrikaans