Serving York County

A casket is a loved one’s final eternal home and the one item that requires possibly the most careful selection as you arrange for a funeral.

Coffin versus Casket

Today,  the terms “coffin” and “casket” are used interchangeably.  The original term was “coffin” which referred to a funeral box used to display and contain the deceased’s remains.  However, in early 20^th century Europe, the term “burial casket” was coined since the newer, elaborate and decorative wooden coffins closely resembled a “jewelry casket” – the name given to decorative boxes families used to store their precious gems and jewels.  Thus, over time, the term “casket” became preferred over the term “coffin”.

Today’s caskets are available in a wide variety of materials, colors, sizes, styles and cost ranges, offering choices to meet every family’s needs.  In fact, they vary just as widely in their purpose.  Depending upon a family’s choices and culture, caskets may be buried directly in the ground, placed in a burial vault or even cremated with the body.

Casket Material Depends Upon Purpose

• Burial caskets are made of metal or hardwood to best withstand burial directly in the ground or placement in a burial vault (grave liner) as the deceased’s final resting place. 
• Metal caskets have been the most popular since steel became the material of choice for many consumer items.  They can be quite beautifully crafted and customized, and families like the durability of them. 
• Hardwood caskets are often designed to have the comforting look of luxurious hardwood furniture.  They can be customized with many different fittings and other adornments as well. 
• Cremation caskets are typically made of more inexpensive, combustible materials such as fiberwood or cardboard and are much simpler in design.  These caskets are used to contain the deceased’s body for cremation only. 
• A specially-constructed hardwood casket, larger and more ornate than the cremation casket, is often available to serve  the temporary purpose of displaying the deceased for pre-cremation viewing and funeral / memorial ceremonies.  Such a temporary casket  is a “shell” into which the cremation casket is placed for display of the body and then removed after the ceremonies.  It is usually available as a rental rather than purchased item. 

Here in York, PA, at the Koller Funeral Home and Cremation Center, you may browse our casket showroom and view catalogs that offer further options.  Before choosing, you will want to sit down with our experienced funeral director who will help you to make the best choice from among the many options available. 

But first, view a sample selection of caskets:

Hardwood (Mahogany) Caskets
Hardwood (Maple) Caskets
Metal Caskets
Cloth Covered Veneer Caskets
Cremation (Hardwood) Caskets
Cremation (Cardboard) Caskets
Cremation (Hardwood) Rental Caskets

Once you have selected the most appropriate casket to meet your family’s needs, the staff here at the Koller Funeral Home and Cremation Center will arrange for delivery of the casket to the funeral home here in York, PA. 

If you are in the process of pre-planning your funeral arrangements and would like to explore casket options, we would be pleased to arrange a time for you to visit our York, PA, funeral home and discuss casket selections. 

No matter your need or circumstances, please contact our Funeral Director if you have questions or concerns that we might help with.  We are here for you when you need us, and we look forward to speaking with you.