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Family and loved ones of various cultures, traditions, and beliefs often place significant items in (or on top of) a deceased loved one's casket before burial. Typically, people opt for personal mementos, family heirlooms, diaries, and anything else that expresses their personality.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Is it Common to Put Items in a Casket With a Deceased Loved One's Body?
- What Are You Not Allowed to Put in a Casket?
- Items to Put in an Open Casket at a Funeral
- Items to Put in a Casket to Be Buried With a Deceased Loved One's Body
- Items to Put on a Casket While It's Being Lowered Into a Grave
Whether you're concerned about funeral etiquette or planning a funeral for someone else, keep reading for some ideas. You’ll also learn about what's commonly done, what's allowed (or not), and when that item is most appropriately placed inside — or on top of the casket.
Is it Common to Put Items in a Casket With a Deceased Loved One's Body?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, families buried high-ranking or notable Vikings with weapons and armor, preparing the great warriors for Valhalla. Feathers, jaguar skins, and jewelry accompanied Aztec nobility. While Pharoah's tombs included such things as their favorite pets, housewares and food, and perhaps "carved" servants for each day of the year.
Yet while today's burials aren't so splendid as a Pharaoh's tomb or a Viking burial to require teams of pyramid builders or shipwrights, today we consider not only the object placed in one's casket but its final destination.
What Are You Not Allowed to Put in a Casket?
It's far easier to define what you're not allowed to be put in a casket versus what you can, so let's take a look at three circ*mstances where you have to think about what's appropriate or not.
Green burials are the most earth-friendly, sustainable options for one's body. Every aspect is organic and biodegradable, even the casket. Essentially, anything that harms the environment isn't allowed. That means you'll avoid souvenirs such as:
- Photos and thumb drives
- Anything manufactured, including plastics, glass, and metals
- Fabrics, including manufactured threads, buttons, and zippers
Caskets that will be cremated have particular requirements due to the retort or cremation chamber. This chamber is made from porous brick and concrete, reaching very high temperatures, and can be damaged by:
- Firearms and explosives
- Combustibles like alcohol and lighters
- Pacemakers, batteries, mobile phones, and e-cigarettes
- Things with trapped air, like coconuts
- Anything that can melt, mold, and harden into the surface of the chamber like glass, metals, or bowling balls
- Treated materials that can release fumes, toxic to both the funeral staff and the environment, like leather and latex
Buried caskets have more leeway, but cemeteries do frown on a few things, including:
- Other people's remains, which technically must be reported to the state
- Pet remains for no reason other than cemetery boards fear offending someone—who may have purchased a plot or whose family members might find it gauche (It's probably not illegal but do your homework anyway.)
But what can you put in a casket that's going to be buried? Keep reading, and we'll look at a few everyday items and some unusual things that might pique interest and get your brain churning.
Items to Put in an Open Casket at a Funeral
Your best guide in this situation is to choose items that'll avoid offending anyone—especially in an open casket funeral.
1. Photos and photo albums
Photographic memories are welcome additions whether you tuck them into the side or in a coat pocket. Place the photos in a frame, add them to a thumb drive, keep them in an album, or leave them as-is.
The tradition of photos and the deceased can be traced back to the 1900s when people took pictures with loved ones, making selfies not that unusual if you think about it. Just make sure to ask first, so you don't offend anyone.
2. A box of love letters
Married couples commonly send love letters to their partner to help them on their journey. It's also cathartic to share one final conversation with someone you can still see and touch, which is why mourners are invited to write their own.
You're going to have pictures and memories, you might even hear their laughter in the wind, but a conversation with a partner or good friend—is to be cherished.
3. Flowers
For some, it matters less that you place a flower in someone's casket than how you do it. There are also several cultural considerations to make, so always check ahead.
But long-stem roses and other personal favorites make beautiful additions inside someone's casket as long as it's a few flowers and not a garden.
4. Jewelry
The Pharaohs did it, as have generations of people since. But there are a lot of pros and cons to burying a loved one with their jewelry today. In the past, wearing one's jewelry in the afterlife was a sign of wealth, status, and power. Usually, the decedent requested it, too.
But now, and certainly not discounting those hopeless romantics out there, families are opting to keep heirlooms in the family to pass down for generations. And if that's not enough of a case, bad intentions do occur. So, skip the worry and stay to witness the casket closing.
5. Religious items
As a matter of faith, burying a loved one with religious items can bring comfort to their survivors. And this certainly applies to many religious considerations—though not all. Falling into this category are holy books, small statues, rosaries, poems of faith, and more.
Always remember, if you're unsure about the appropriateness of leaving something behind or even what's commonly placed inside a casket, ask a family member for what's best. It's always better to ask than to offend.
6. Teddies and toys
Parents of young children often place cherished trinkets with their loved ones. The softness of a teddy bear or comfort items like one's Binkie then stays with the child, bringing love from mom and dad wherever they go.
Items to Put in a Casket to Be Buried With a Deceased Loved One's Body
Not all families opt for an open casket viewing or ceremony, which means that some items put in the casket get more creative than if others were to view them.
7. Cultural ephemera such as faux money and cars
For some cultures, money and tangibles are a matter of status and privilege. This is often the case that smaller and faux versions will be put in a casket and buried with a loved one.
That tradition goes a step further to include burning "ghost money" so their loved one will arrive at their destination wealthy, enjoying a prosperous afterlife.
8. Marijuana and alcohol
When it was taboo, marijuana was one of those unique ideas that piqued only select minds. Now, from buds and joints to bags of the stuff—people are legally stuffing marijuana in caskets.
Alcohol is another unspoken tradition, but it isn't that different from burning ghost money, adding photos, or even forging Viking swords — it's that you want your friend or loved one to carry with them part of their time here on earth.
9. Favorite blankets
From babies to octogenarians—everyone has comfort items. Still, blankets are often sent with children to keep them safe, warm, and feeling unafraid. Like putting toys and teddies in a casket, parents are compelled to ensure their little ones are cared for throughout the journey.
If there's a quilter in the family, you could include love from every family member—or sew in images to every patch.
10. Fishing poles, skis, scuba tanks, and other hobby-related items
Avid fisherfolk, skiers, and divers tend to their skills for years, mastering their hobby to become the finest possible. And it's not just hobbies, because painters, carvers, and artists of any kind take to refining skills, using traditional materials, and a love of working with one's hands.
In this case, it’s really about what fits in a casket. Because while you can add a small duck carving, a scuba tank may not be realistic.
11. Food
They’re going to be hungry. Food as an offering is common in many religions, and in some cases, it’s believed that the soul lingers on earth for a little while before making the journey onward. But generally, offerings consist of vegetables and fruit, even grains.
So you go baking grandma's meat pie for someone's casket, think about alternatives like a favorite candy bar or treat—anything wrapped in plastic. If you still have your heart set on an old family recipe, put it in the casket after viewing hours to avoid any unusual smells.
12. Incense
Incense is often used in religious and spiritual contexts through prayer or meditation. It's also commonly burned in people's homes to freshen areas and in consideration of health.
Considering the many uses of incense, you might want to tuck some into the casket to support their soul's vitality, general comfort, or perhaps in seeking one's divine truths. Consult friends and family if unsure which scent best suits your loved one's needs.
Items to Put on a Casket While It's Being Lowered Into a Grave
When putting items on a casket as it is being lowered into a grave, consider the wishes of the deceased and any religious requirements.
13. Designer Sunglasses
Not everything put on a casket while it's being lowered into a grave is intentional. In one case, a young man stood, watching as his brother was lowered into the ground. Unfortunately, his designer frames fell off and were all but retrievable. In solidarity, the entire gathering walked by the grave to toss in their designer frames as if ritualizing it.
So, a young man who wanted nothing more than to be near his brother as long as possible ultimately received reassurance from the entire crowd that he'd be fully supported. And with that one small gesture from each, a motion of solidarity was made.
14. Flowers
Commonly, you'll find sprays and other flowers on caskets at a cemetery committal. The flowers are often lowered in with the casket — and often not. You might find a basket of single-stemmed roses near the grave when they're not.
Unfortunately, not everyone thinks this is a great idea. So, if you plan to partake, be gentle as though the rose were a feather. Try to toss the rose with affection rather than using one’s keen sporting ability.
15. Handful of Earth
In some religions, earth (or dust and soil) symbolizes returning to the dust we’re made of. Others might see it as an indication of one's final resting place.
A procession of tossing a handful of earth, like the designer sunglasses story from just above, is also an act of ritualization. It helps people understand the finality of the moment so that grieving becomes easier or at least more attainable.
Leaving Mementos in a Casket
Don’t be surprised to see people sharing one last memory — one last private conversation with a loved one as they leave a memento in their casket. To some, it’s a ritual, while to others, it’s a matter of tradition that has existed for centuries.
