4 Ways to Create a Truly Personal Tribute

We believe that getting personal adds meaning. When most people think of a casket, they envision a heavy steel box or a generic polished wood box. But for many families, these options don’t quite capture the spirit of the person they are honoring.

The truth is, you don’t know what you don’t know. At Artisan Caskets & Coffins, we believe in offering options you didn’t know existed to create a final resting place that is a reflection of a life’s passion.

Customization isn’t about adding “luxury”—it’s about adding meaning.

Here are four ways we help you move beyond the “standard” to create something truly original.

1. Choice of Materials: Wood can tell a story

Unlike high-gloss steel, our range of wood options allow for more flexibility in pricing and allow us to engrave personalizations. In addition to these options, we have incorporated customer’s own materials, such as:

• Reclaimed Barn Wood: Perfect for the soul who loved the outdoors or a simpler way of life.
• Wood Workshop Scraps: A tribute to their hobbies and passions.

2. The Details: Symbols of a Life Well-Lived

Most people are surprised to learn that a casket can be a canvas. We can incorporate details that act as a language of love and memory:

• Inlays: Whether it’s a fly-fishing lure, a musical note, or a tribute to a surfer, we can inlay symbols of their favorite hobbies.
• Compartments: We have made oversized caskets with hidden compartments containing hand-picked memorabilia that wouldn’t have fit in a standard casket.
• Handwritten Notes: We can engrave a personal message or a signature directly into the lid.
• Custom Hardware: Swap out mass-produced metal for custom wooden dowels.

3. The Lining: Say Goodbye to Standard

“Standard crepe” is the industry norm, but it isn’t a requirement. The interior of a casket should feel like home. This is why our standard liners are linen or minky fabric. But in addition to these liners, here are some ideas ways the families we serve have customized the lining used in their caskets:

• Personal Textiles: We can line the interior with a favorite family quilt or a vintage denim jacket.
• Heritage Fabrics: Use a specific family tartan or organic linens that reflect their style.

4. The Experience: Be a Part of the Process

Perhaps the most unknown option is your own involvement. Choosing a casket doesn’t have to be a transaction; it can be a part of your celebration of life. Here are some ways the families we serve have customized not just their caskets, but also their experience.

• DIY Flatpack: Available for our caskets, we have also have pre-cut kits that you can assemble. In addition to saving you money, the physical act of assembling and decorating a casket can be a therapeutic way to process grief. It provides a sense of purpose and focus during a difficult time, allowing family and friends to bond while creating a personal tribute.
• The Finishing Touch: Some families find peace in assisting with the final sanding or in driving in the final (or decorative) nails during a private moment or a small ceremony. Either option is a personal act of service and a final “goodbye.”

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You Don’t Have to Settle

If you are feeling the tension between a high price tag and a generic tribute, know that there is a third way.

These are just some of the ways we have brought the ideas of loved ones to life as a part of their final tribute. We are not limited by what is standard or by what has already been done. We are invested in finding the options that add meaning without adding dollars. Let us know what other ideas you might have or what constraints you are under and see what we can create together.