Where Are Funeral Caskets Manufactured?

The United States did not see the rise of the casket business until the nineteenth century. Historically, undertakers (funeral directors) also ran the local furniture stores and crafted funeral caskets on demand. This industry has come a long way since then, and some companies manufacture caskets from various units across the U.S. At Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home, we like to provide our customers with all the information they need about funeral options, caskets, and other items.

Where Does Funeral Caskets Manufacturing Take Place?

Casket metal stamping is done by seven different businesses (K-D parts). Less than 12 companies currently produce over 90% of the metal caskets available in the U.S. According to the CFSA. Three manufacturers account for over 70% of yearly casket sales (Batesville, Aurora Casket Co., and the York Group). The U.S. market for casket production is worth $1.2 billion.

The Biggest Funeral Caskets Manufacturer In The U.S.

Batesville Casket Company is the biggest manufacturer of funeral caskets and urns for cremation, and this Batesville, Indiana-based business operates as a wholly-owned division of Hillenbrand, Inc. The Hillenbrand Company runs factories in Batesville, Mexico; Manchester, Tennessee, Indiana, Chihuahua; and Vicksburg, Mississippi.

It sparked a firestorm when Costco Wholesale Corp. introduced low-priced steel caskets in 2004. Around this time, several wholesalers started bringing inexpensive caskets from China. Batesville developed the NorthStar line of private-label goods in 2005 to meet this demand.

Standardization Of Funeral Caskets

Most caskets follow a standard design because of how tightly the industry is organized. Smaller factories still make unique items for their clientele. And many retailers provide customized services, such as fitting special external hardware and inside panels. All the leading manufacturers offer embroidery on the inner casket panels and other options for making the funeral caskets as unique as possible for the deceased's loved ones.

Several primary casket producers design and manufacture their metalwork and interior panels, while others rely on a select few companies to supply aesthetic and practical components. Although many producers and some distributors make, stitch, and install specific inner fabric linings, pillow and bed coverings, and foot and head panels, another tiny group supplies these materials to the casket business.

For any details about funeral caskets, our funeral services, or assistance with preplanning a funeral, contact Blair Mazzarella Funeral Home.