Many family members and close friends of the recently deceased choose to carry the casket to the burial site. This is an act of respect and love for the one who has passed. For this reason, knowing how much a casket may weigh is essential. It’s a good figure to have in your head when you assemble the group carrying the casket on the day of the celebration.
Weight of different types of caskets
So how much does a casket weigh? The weight of a casket is dependent on the material it’s made out of as well as its size. Cardboard caskets are the lightest ones you can get, and are ideal for funerals where there will be fewer people to carry the casket at the burial service. Some of the wooden caskets available tend to be on the heavier side.
Wooden caskets
Depending on the type of wood and the inner lining of the casket, wooden ones usually weigh between 150 to 250 pounds. Wood is a popular material for caskets as they are generally more aesthetically pleasing as they come in a range of colors. Typically, caskets are made out of pine, oak, cherry wood, mahogany, and walnut. Each wood has a different density which will affect its weight.
Pine is considered to be the lightest type of wood out of which a casket is made. It is also a popular choice being the most affordable. Pine caskets usually weigh around 150 pounds but they can be up to 180 pounds. If you prefer darker, more dramatic colors, then mahogany is probably the one to go for. Just be prepared, as this is also the heaviest wood. A mahogany casket can weigh up to 285 pounds depending on the design.
Metal caskets
Metal caskets are ideal for anyone who wants to recognise the legacy the deceased has left behind. Caskets made out of a metal material do not decay, meaning the body will be preserved for longer. Family members of the deceased can also choose to have a message engraved on the casket, for the deceased to carry with them on their end-of-life journey.
Despite what many assume, metal caskets are actually lighter than wooden ones. Typically, the wall of metal caskets is thinner than those of wooden ones. The material is more robust against the ground’s elements and therefore does not need as much projection from the earth surrounding the coffin at the final burial site.
There are several metals that caskets are typically made from including stainless steel and plain steel. These will weigh between 170 and 190 pounds, making their average weight lighter than wood. However, some may feel that a bronze or copper casket is more appropriate. These can weigh up to 310 pounds.
Wicker caskets
Caskets that are made from wicker are usually constructed with very light woods like bamboo or seagrass. They are therefore a great option for anyone who is concerned about sustainability or who would like to honor someone who was environmentally conscious. Wicker is also a deeply personal option as the caskets are sometimes hand-made.
Wicker is an increasingly popular choice for caskets. They are durable and environmentally friendly, causing no harm to the soil when they are in the ground. Wicker caskets typically weigh between 80 and 110 pounds, making them one of the lightest materials you can choose to have a casket made from.
Cardboard caskets
Another option for the environmentally wary is caskets made out of cardboard. They are biodegradable, meaning they will not have a lasting impact on the ground wherein they are placed. This makes them highly appropriate for green burials.
These caskets can weigh anywhere between 20 to 80 pounds, making them the lightest caskets on the market. Those having their deceased loved one cremated tend to choose these caskets, as they are inexpensive and make the cremation process easier.
Plywood caskets
Plywood caskets are a good option for anyone wanting to honor their loved one but do not have a big budget. Casket prices should not be a concern for anyone during a time of grief, so knowing which materials will suit your budget will alleviate a lot of stress when organizing a funeral. The manufacturers of plywood caskets can also line the interior with a piece of lovely fabric, ensuring comfort for the dead.
A plywood casket is also a lighter option, with their typical weight being only between 80 to 180 pounds. For anyone wanting to add something special to a plywood casket, there are options to have the outside of it coated and finished to resemble hardwood.
Other factors that determine a casket’s weight
A casket’s weight is not only determined by the material it is made of. If you ask yourself ‘how much does a casket weigh?’, you also have to consider other factors like the size the casket needs to be, the fabric it is lined with and the hardware used in the construction of the casket.
Size
If the deceased was particularly tall, families will preserve them in a slightly longer-than-normal casket, so that the space accommodates the full length of the body. Longer or wider caskets will, of course, weigh more than the standard models. However, if the deceased was more petite, smaller caskets are an option and will weigh less.
Fabric
Caskets are typically lined with velvet which can be made using cotton or other synthetic fabric fibers. Velvet made this way is usually heavier than velvet made with silk. There is a fair amount of fabric needed to line a casket, therefore the weight of it needs to be taken into account.
There are slightly lighter options like polyester or nylon, however, these are less popular as they are not considered sustainable or environmentally friendly.
Hardware
One of the reasons cardboard caskets are so light is that they do not require a lot of bolts and nails when made. Other caskets can have significant weight added to them, as hardware is generally metal or other heavy material. Finishes such as metal skirting and engraving designs also need to be factored in when determining the weight of a casket.
