Most people planning their own or a loved one’s funeral have questions about how to choose a casket. You don’t purchase caskets very often, so you might not know what size to get. Selecting different sizes and options affects the casket price. Standard-sized coffins don’t fit all body types, so let’s examine your choices.
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Are All Caskets the Same Size?
Caskets usually are similar in size, regardless of the manufacturer, because they all need to fit within burial vaults or liners. Caskets generally come in standard, oversized, and child sizes. So what size casket will you need? I’ll review different options to make this part of your funeral planning a little easier.
Casket Size Chart
| Approximate Dimensions | Interior Length | Interior Width |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Wood Casket | 75” | 22” |
| Standard Metal Casket | 78” | 24” |
| Oversize Casket | 83” | 28 -36” |
| Double Casket | 85” | 38” – 44” |
| Youth Casket | 60” | 11” |
| Infant Casket | 17” | 11” |
How Long Are Caskets?
Standard casket interiors are about 78” long. That’s approximately 6½’ long. The exterior length of a standard casket is 84” or about 7’ long. Of course, the measurements may vary by manufacturer or by the individual casket’s embellishments.
How Much Does A Standard Casket Weigh?
The average weight of a standard casket is between 150 and 200 pounds.
Since metal caskets are thinner than wooden ones, the interior dimensions are slightly wider. They also tend to weigh slightly less, even though they provide the same structural soundness as heavier woods.
- Pine or other softwood caskets often weigh between 90 and 180 pounds.
- Hardwoods like maple and birch weigh between 165 to 215 pounds.
- Highend hardwoods like cherry and oak can weigh up to 285 pounds.
- Metal caskets weigh between 180 and 220 pounds.
Casket or Coffin: What Is The Difference?
Before we get too far into the discussion of casket sizes, first, let me clear up the difference between a casket and a coffin. To the general public, these terms are interchangeable. Using either word conveys your meaning, and I’ll use them interchangeably in this article.
However, the two are different, and finding coffin manufacturers in the US is challenging. Therefore, you will likely only find caskets. Here are the differences:
Casket: 4-sided rectangular container made primarily from wood or metal. Side rails make it easy for pallbearers to lift and carry the casket. They are the primary choice for burial containers today.
Coffin: 6-sided container with a narrow head and foot compartments (body conforming). Used historically, but not in practice much today. They often feature in Old Western or Dracula movies. No side rails for carrying, generally lifted and carried on pallbearers’ shoulders.
What Are The Dimensions For A Standard-Size Casket?
Families usually have a lot of questions when it comes to the size of the caskets. As funeral directors, we hear, “how long are coffins?” Or “is there such a thing as a double-size casket?”
There are slight size variations between casket manufacturers, but the average dimensions of a standard-size casket measure 24” wide and 78” long. They fit deceased persons weighing up to 350 pounds who are 6’5” and shorter.
The standard-sized caskets hold the large majority of teenagers and adults. However, you can easily find alternatives for larger or smaller people. Whether you choose metal or wood, you’ll find various caskets. This wooden option gives the pleasant scent of solid cedar for a natural yet distinguished look.
Oversize Casket Dimensions
Oversize caskets are designed for larger or taller people that will fit the standard size. Anyone over 6’5” tall or who weighs more than 350 pounds will likely require an oversize casket.
The dimensions of oversize caskets measure approximately 36” wide by 83” to 90” long, depending on manufacturer specifications. So you can see that you gain width and length over the standard size.
Exterior dimensions for oversize caskets are approximately 83” to 90” long and 23” high. And they range in width from 28” to 44”. The 28 and 29” caskets fit inside most standard burial vaults. However, wider sizes mean you need to upsize the burial vault in addition to the coffin.
These oversized caskets come from the same manufacturers as standard sizes. It is easy to find large-size caskets nowadays. So if you prefer a particular style, you can likely purchase it as an over-size. Your funeral director will guide you through this selection process, no matter the size of your loved one.
The online retailer, Titan, sells oversized caskets ranging in width from 28”, 29”, 33”, 36”, 40”, and 44”. These fully customizable selections make it easy to honor your loved one. The Atlas XL is an elegant casket that comes in 20 colors. With various sizes, this is a perfect casket choice, regardless of your loved one’s size.
Double-size Caskets and Triple-size Coffins
Double and triple-size caskets are also available in the oversize casket line. However, they are usually referred to simply as a size width. For example, double oversize dimensions are about 38” wide.
These caskets don’t fit two or three people, regardless of their names. Instead, they are simply wider versions of oversize selections. To give you a good idea of the size of a double-size casket, the dimensions for a twin bed are approximately 75” by 35” wide.
These more oversized caskets require larger-than-standard burial vaults. In addition, check with your funeral director or cemetery manager to learn if you also need a wider burial plot.
Child-size Casket Dimensions
None of us like to think of losing a child, but unfortunately, childhood death occurs. Just as there are standard and oversized caskets for adults, there are also infant and child sizes.
Child-size casket dimensions are 11” wide by 60” long. Depending on the age and size of the deceased, this smaller-sized casket provides an appropriate burial container during a difficult time.
Infant caskets are generally about 17” long, but you may find smaller ones, depending on the manufacturer. Mourning parents often choose pink or blue caskets to signify the child’s gender. However, white infant caskets remain popular for their neutral yet elegant style.
Losing a child is one of life’s hardest challenges for parents. I feel sincerely sorry for your loss.
FAQs About Caskets
How Do They Fit A Tall Person In A Coffin?
The interior cushioning can be arranged differently if a person is slightly taller than a standard casket. This will help gain a bit more space. In addition, placing the deceased legs in a partially bent or spread-eagle position will look more comfortable in the coffin.
The best solution to fitting a tall person in a casket is to purchase a casket that fits their size. By choosing the correct size casket, a tall person will fit perfectly.
Do Caskets Have Doors?
Most caskets have two doors or hinged lids. This setup is referred to as a half-couch so that only the upper half of the body is visible during viewing.
Why Are Caskets Only Half Open?
Lighting is the main reason for caskets opening only halfway. It is much easier to light the coffin and deceased in a flattering way, rather than the whole body. Another reason is that the funeral director can focus more time on the top part of the body. Ensuring that the deceased is made up with hair styled in a “true-to-life” condition takes time. So closing part of the casket allows the funeral director to spend time in the most effective manner.
What Does A Pallbearer Do?
Pallbearers carry the casket from point to point during a funeral service. Usually, the six pallbearers meet at the front of the church at the end of the service. They will carry or escort the casket to the hearse for transportation to the cemetery. And then will take the coffin to the gravesite.
What Is The Proper Pallbearer’s Attire?
Most pallbearers wear dark suits similar to other mourners attending the service. There is no particular dress code required for most pallbearers. However, if you are asked to perform this service, confirm with the family what they want you to wear.
Conclusion
Caskets come in standard, oversize, and youth sizes to find a perfect fit for your loved one. Your funeral director can guide you through the selection process. However, services like Titan Caskets will answer all your questions if you opt to purchase a casket online.
Choose from metal or wood caskets to honor your loved one correctly. Standard-size caskets fit most teenagers and adults. However, the abundance of oversize casket choices makes it easy to find the right fit.
Whether you make your selection in person or online, I’m sure you will have no problem choosing a beautiful casket. Now that you are more familiar with casket sizing, I hope you’ll be less confused about what to expect.
