Everything You Need To Know About Cedar Caskets

What Are Cedar Caskets? 

Cedar caskets are funerary boxes made of wood that’s harvested from cedar trees. Thanks to the durable and resistant nature of cedar wood, caskets that are made using the material tend to last longer than other wooden caskets. The pleasant scent, prominent grain and the attractive finish of caskets crafted from cedar make them some of the most popular types of solid wood caskets today. 

You can find as many as 7 different types of cedar caskets in the market, each one with its own style and design. Understanding the differences between them can help you choose the right kind of casket for your loved ones. Check out the main types of cedar caskets you can buy. 

How Many Types Of Cedar Caskets Are There?

• Traditional Caskets 

A traditional cedar casket features a conventional design with a rectangular base and a flat, raised or curved lid. Depending on the cedar wood and the finish, the color of a cedar casket can go from rustic brown to rich red. You can find these caskets in two different designs, namely a half couch and a full couch. Half couch cedar caskets have a split lid, allowing you to open the top-half separately, while full couch caskets have a single-piece lid that opens up fully. 

• Coffin-Shaped Caskets

As with most solid wood caskets, cedar caskets are also available in the shape of a coffin. A coffin-shaped casket has a unique tapered frame that’s designed to conform to the shape of a human body. Such cedar wood caskets have a wide upper half and narrow down as you move down to the bottom half. And unlike a traditional casket, the lid of a coffin-shaped cedar casket is usually completely removable. 

• Biodegradable Caskets

All solid wood casket, including cedar caskets, degrade over time. However, it usually takes many years for wood to decompose, because manufacturers generally coat the wood with lacquer, paint or wood stain to give it a high-gloss sheen. This acts as a protective barrier and prevents the wood from decaying. 

That said, there are some environmentally-friendly biodegradable caskets made out of cedar wood that are designed to degrade much faster than traditional ones. These eco-friendly caskets usually do not have any kind of coating that prevents the degradation of wood. 

• Decorative Caskets

If you wish to have your loved one’s casket reflect their values or their personality, a decorative cedar casket may just be the right choice. Such caskets are usually customizable, and you can include various decorative pieces ranging from pictures and paintings to engravings and logos. Since decorative cedar wood caskets tend to be quite distinct from other kinds of caskets, they can be more expensive too. 

• Basic Caskets

Basic cedar caskets feature a minimalistic rectangular base and lid with no additional features. Many such caskets are no more than just simple boxes made from cedar wood with little to no treatment done to the material. Basic caskets may be the ideal option if you prefer to avoid an excessive display of luxury during the ceremony.

• Cremation Caskets 

Traditional solid wood caskets, including those made from cedar wood, are generally best suited for burials only. If you choose a conventional cedar casket for a cremation, you may have to remove some parts like the metal swing bars before the cremation. But with cremation cedar wood caskets, you won’t have to deal with these issues at all. Manufacturers ensure that the entire casket is combustible by keeping the design plain and simple, without any addition of metal parts.  

• Small Caskets 

Cedar caskets are available in a wide range of sizes including those made for small children, youth and pets. Apart from the size, there’s not much of a difference between this kind of a cedar casket and a traditional cedar casket. 

What Is The Price Of Cedar Caskets? 

The price of a cedar casket can range anywhere from $1,400 to about $4,000. Depending on the specifications of the casket you order, the cedar casket price can also be higher. The cost primarily depends on several factors such as the type of cedar casket, its size, the level of customization and any added features that you may opt for. So, you might want to keep these factors in mind when you’re looking for an elegant cedar casket for your loved one. 

Where Can You Buy Cedar Caskets? 

You can find cedar caskets at funeral homes and offline retail suppliers. That said, if you want a greater degree of convenience as well as more affordable prices, you can choose to buy a cedar casket online. However, remember that you need to do your due diligence online and make sure that you purchase them from a reputed online supplier like Titan Casket. 

At Titan Casket, we provide handcrafted cedar caskets with a warm and distinct look and design. All of our cedar wood caskets come with free shipping and are guaranteed to arrive intact and on time for your funeral service. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is Cedar A Good Wood For A Casket?

Answer: Yes, cedar is a good wood for a casket due to its durability, resistance to decay, and natural aromatic properties that help preserve the casket.

Q2. How Long Does Cedar Last Buried?

Answer: Cedar caskets can last for many years when buried, often maintaining their integrity for decades due to cedar's natural resistance to moisture and decay.

Q3. Does Cedar Rot Easily?

Answer: No, cedar does not rot easily. It has natural oils and properties that make it highly resistant to rot and insect damage, making it an excellent choice for caskets.