Your Guide to Funeral Planning | 12.02.2022

What Are Closed Casket Funerals?

Closed Casket Funerals

Reviewed By: WILLIAM PROUT

Cross Checked By: SCOTT GINSBERG

5 min read

What Is A Closed Casket Funeral?

In a closed casket funeral for the deceased, the lid of the casket remains closed throughout the service. Mourners, including friends and family of the deceased will not be able to view the body at any point during the service.

Usually, it is the close family members of the deceased individual who often get a say on whether the funeral should be a closed casket funeral or an open casket funeral. However, there may be a few cases, where the individuals themselves decide on having a closed casket funeral and communicate the same to their family.

And since the casket is never opened during or after the funeral service and is instead cremated or buried directly, many choose to not embalm the body of the deceased. That said, there are a few who prefer to still embalm the deceased individual’s body even though the funeral is a closed casket one. 

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Closed Casket Vs Open Casket Funerals: The Key Differences

If you’re torn between an open casket and closed casket funerals, getting to know the difference between the two can help give you some clarity. Here’s a quick glimpse of a couple of key differences between these two types of funerals. 

1. Position of the lid  - As you already know, the lid of the casket is never opened during a closed casket funeral. On the contrary, in an open casket funeral, the lid remains open until the time of burial or cremation. This allows family members, friends, and other mourners to get a glimpse of the deceased individual before their final rites. 

2. Funeral costs  - Open casket funerals are almost always more expensive than closed casket funerals. One of the primary reasons for this has to do with the fact that a lot of time and effort goes into preparing the body of the deceased for viewing. The deceased individual has to be properly embalmed and dressed before having an open casket funeral.  However, this is not the case with closed casket funerals. Very rarely do family members insist on embalming or dressing the body seeing as the casket lid would be closed throughout the service. This ultimately leads to lower funeral costs.  

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Closed Casket Funeral Traditions:

Closed casket funerals have several traditions associated with them. These may include:

  1. Memorial Photos: Displaying photographs of the deceased at various stages of their life.
  2. Eulogies: Family and friends sharing memories and stories about the deceased.
  3. Symbolic Gestures: Such as placing a favorite item or memento in the casket.

Closed Casket Funeral Etiquette:

When attending a closed casket funeral, it's important to adhere to certain etiquette:

  1. Respect the Family's Wishes: If the family has chosen a closed casket, respect their decision without questioning it.
  2. Offer Condolences: Express your sympathy and support to the grieving family.
  3. Dress Appropriately: Wear respectful and subdued attire.
  4. Be Mindful of Words: Choose your words carefully when speaking to the family.

When To Choose A Closed Casket Funeral?

There are many reasons why family members of the deceased may want to opt for a closed casket funeral for their loved ones. Let’s take a look at a few of the more compelling reasons for conducting such funerals. 

1. When attendees of the service prefer to not see the body of the deceased 
Not everyone might want to see the body of their loved ones after their passing. If a majority of the mourners that are likely to attend the service that you hold feel uncomfortable with viewing your loved one’s lifeless body, you may consider having a closed casket funeral. 
2. When faith or culture determines a closed casket funeral 
Not all religions or cultures look too kindly upon open casket funerals. In fact, many sects of Islamic and Jewish faiths consider it inappropriate to display the body of the deceased. Alternatively, your family’s culture may also prevent holding such funerals. In these cases, you may consider holding a closed casket funeral for your loved one. 
3. When it is the choice of the deceased individual 
In many pre-planned funerals, the individuals themselves express a desire for holding a closed casket funeral after their passing. In such situations, being the loved one, you might want to respect their preferences and honor their decision. 
4. When the body of the deceased individual is not in a presentable state
If the cause of death of your loved one was a traumatic injury to the head or face due to an accident or an act of violence, holding an open casket funeral may not be ideal. Alternatively, if the funeral director decides that the body of your loved one isn’t in a presentable state, it might be a good idea to hold closed casket funerals. 
5. When embalming is not an option 
If you’re not open to embalming the body of your loved one due to religious, environmental, or cost concerns, you may not be allowed to hold an open casket funeral. In that case, you could choose to go for a closed casket funeral. 
6. Take some time and make the right decision for your loved ones
Although it can be stressful, giving the deceased individual a proper and fitting funeral is very important since it can help give you proper closure. Therefore, make sure to take a bit of time before you decide on holding a funeral. You can always talk to your family members and friends about your decision to hold a closed casket funeral or otherwise. 

No matter the kind of funeral you ultimately decide to hold for your loved ones, you can find the right casket online for your loved one at Titan Casket. We specialize in a wide range of caskets made from wood, steel, or eco-friendly materials. When buying a casket online on Titan Casket, you not only get to save money, but also get free shipping on all orders as well. 

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Elizabeth Siegel

Elizabeth Siegel Elizabeth Siegel

Elizabeth Siegel

About Liz

Liz Siegel’s career has been focused on products consumers need at the beginning and the end of life. A former attorney, Liz has founded multiple DTC companies including The Seattle Baby Company and Harbor Caskets.

She helped co-found Titan Casket as President and has scaled Titan’s operations and customer service teams to an unbeatable on-time delivery rate and over 350 5-star reviews. Her interest in DTC funerals is to offer a better and kinder way to help families through a difficult time. As Titan Casket’s “secret weapon” on customer service and operations, Liz loves to help people navigate this complex process and to help them feel confident in their decisions, while saving a significant amount of money.

Liz is based in Seattle. She has a BA from Colgate University in New York and a JD from Cardozo Law School.