Do Funeral Homes Reuse Caskets? Why We Say No
Table of Contents:
- The Rumor: "Do They Save the Box?"
- The Lagoon View Promise: One Person, One Casket
- Why We Don't Offer Rental Caskets (The Cultural Reason)
- The Affordable Alternative: What is an MDF Casket?
- The Cremation Process: Proving It’s Never Reused
- How to Save Money Without "Renting"
- Other Myths About Funeral Costs
- Conclusion: Dignity for Every Budget
The Rumor: "Do They Save the Box?"
If you have ever attended a funeral, sat in the pews, and looked at a beautiful casket, the thought may have crossed your mind: “That looks expensive. Do they just burn it? Or do they reuse it for the next person?”
It is one of the most common questions searched on Google in New Zealand. It is also a question that many families are too polite to ask their funeral director directly.
The suspicion often comes from a fear of being "ripped off." People worry that they are paying thousands of dollars for a casket that the funeral home will simply dust off and sell again tomorrow.
At Lagoon View Funeral Services, we believe the best way to combat fear is with total honesty. We want to tackle this question head-on, explain our specific policy, and tell you exactly why we do things differently than some other funeral homes in Auckland.
The Lagoon View Promise: One Person, One Casket
Let us be crystal clear: At Lagoon View Funeral Services, we do not reuse caskets.
We do not offer "Rental Caskets." We do not have "Ceremonial Shells." We do not switch the body into a different box once the family leaves the room.
When you entrust your loved one to our care, the casket you choose for them is theirs.
- It belongs to them.
- It stays with them during the viewing.
- It travels with them to the service.
- It is cremated (or buried) with them.
We have made a deliberate company decision not to offer reusable or rental caskets. While other companies may offer them as a budget option, we believe there is a better way to provide affordable funerals without compromising on the dignity of the final farewell.
Why We Don't Offer Rental Caskets (The Cultural Reason)
You might wonder, “If rental caskets save money, why don’t you offer them?”
Our decision is rooted in respect and culture.
We serve a diverse community in Panmure, Mt Wellington, and South Auckland. Many of the families we support—particularly our Māori and Pasifika whānau—hold deep beliefs about the sanctity of the body (tūpāpaku) and the items that touch it.
1. The Concept of Tapu (Sacredness) In many cultures, once a casket has held a deceased person, it becomes tapu (sacred/restricted). To take a person out of that casket and then place a stranger into the same space—even if there is a removable lining—feels culturally inappropriate to us. The vessel that carries your loved one on their final journey should be dedicated solely to them.
2. Peace of Mind for the Family We never want a family to look at a casket during a service and wonder, “Who else has been in there?” Grief is hard enough without having that nagging doubt. By refusing to stock rental caskets, we can look every family in the eye and say: "This hasn't been used before. It is brand new, clean, and respectful."
3. Hygiene and Integrity While rental caskets are designed to be hygienic (using inner inserts), we prefer the absolute certainty of a single-use vessel. It ensures there are no risks, no confusion, and no "grey areas" in our process.
The Affordable Alternative: What is an MDF Casket?
The main reason people search for "rental caskets" is because they are worried about the cost. They assume that buying a casket means spending $3,000+ on solid mahogany or rimu.
This is a misconception. You do not need to rent a casket to get an affordable price.
At Lagoon View, we offer high-quality MDF (Custom Wood) Caskets that are just as affordable as the rental fees charged by other companies—but you get to keep the dignity of a private, unused casket.
What is MDF?
MDF stands for Medium Density Fibreboard. It is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers and combining them with wax and a resin binder.
Why MDF is the perfect solution for Cremation:
- Cost-Effective: Because it is an engineered material rather than a solid slab of timber, it is significantly cheaper to produce. We pass these savings on to you.
- Visual Appeal: Our MDF caskets come with high-quality finishes. Whether you want a glossy wood-grain look (Rimu or Rosewood finish) or a solid color, they look dignified and substantial. To the untrained eye, they often look just like solid timber.
- Clean Combustion: MDF is ideal for cremation. It burns consistently and completely, making it a practical choice for the crematorium.
The Comparison:
- Competitor's Rental Fee: You might pay $1,200 - $1,500 just to borrow a shell for an hour. You walk away with nothing.
- Lagoon View MDF Casket: For a similar price (often between $800 - $1,500 depending on finish), you purchase a brand-new casket. It is yours. There is no sharing.
This means you get the affordability you need, without the cultural compromise of using a second-hand item.
The Cremation Process: Proving It’s Never Reused
Even though we tell families we don't reuse caskets, the internet is full of conspiracy theories. Search terms like "Do they burn the handles?" and "Do they take the clothes off?" are very common.
To put your mind at ease, here is exactly what happens when a cremation takes place with Lagoon View Funeral Services.
1. The Identification When we arrive at the crematorium (such as Purewa or Manukau Memorial Gardens), strict protocols begin. We must verify the identity of the deceased and the casket. The nameplate on the casket is checked against legal documents.
2. The Committal If you have a service at the crematorium chapel, the casket remains front and center. When the service ends and the family leaves, the casket is moved to the operational area.
3. The Cremation The entire casket is placed into the cremator.
- We do not open it.
- We do not remove the body.
- We do not remove the lining.
The casket—whether it is our affordable MDF range or a solid timber one—is the fuel that helps the process. It is completely consumed by the heat.
4. What about the handles? On our MDF cremation caskets, the handles are typically made of a combustible material (like sturdy plastic that looks like metal) or timber. These are left on and cremated with the casket. Note: In rare cases with very expensive solid metal handles, a crematorium might require them to be removed to protect their machinery, but on the affordable cremation range we specialize in, everything stays together.
How to Save Money Without "Renting"
We understand that cost is a major factor for families in Auckland right now. You want a beautiful farewell, but you have bills to pay. Since we don't offer rentals, here is how we help you keep costs down while maintaining high standards.
1. Direct Cremation (The "No Service" Option)
If your priority is simplicity, Direct Cremation is the most affordable service we offer.
- We collect your loved one.
- We place them in a simple, respectful MDF or ply casket (no fancy handles or gloss).
- The cremation happens privately.
- We return the ashes to you.
- Benefit: You save thousands on venue hire, flowers, and catering. You can then hold a memorial service later at your own home or a local park with the ashes present.
2. The WINZ Funeral Grant
Many of the families we help are eligible for the Work and Income (WINZ) Funeral Grant.
- This is a payment (currently $2,616.12) available to help with funeral costs if the deceased and/or the applicant have limited income and assets.
- Because our MDF caskets are priced fairly, the WINZ grant goes a lot further at Lagoon View than it might elsewhere. We can help you fill out these forms.
3. Choose a Simple Casket, Dress it Up with Love
You don't need a $5,000 casket to show you care.
- The Pall (Flag/Cloak): Many families choose a simple MDF casket and drape it with a family Korowai, a Fine Mat, a Tivaevae, or a beautiful flag during the service. This adds immense cultural value and beauty without financial cost.
- Flowers: A simple casket looks stunning when topped with fresh flowers from your own garden.
Other Myths About Funeral Costs
While we are busting the "reused casket" myth, let’s tackle a few others that we hear in our Panmure office.
Myth: "I have to be embalmed." Fact: No, you don't. Embalming is a choice. It is excellent if you want to take your loved one home for a few days (tangihanga) or have an open casket viewing. But if you are having a closed casket or a quick cremation, you can save money by declining embalming. We will simply wash and dress your loved one with care.
Myth: "Cardboard caskets are just shoe boxes." Fact: We also offer cardboard options for the eco-conscious. These aren't flimsy boxes; they are heavy-duty, reinforced, and engineered for funerals. They are a "blank canvas." We have seen families cover them in messages, drawings, and photos. It is a deeply personal, affordable, and never-reused option.
Myth: "Family-owned means more expensive." Fact: Often, it’s the opposite. Large corporate funeral chains have shareholders to pay. Lagoon View is family-owned. We live in this community. We keep our overheads low so we can offer fair prices to our neighbors.
Conclusion: Dignity for Every Budget
We hope this article has answered the question: "Do funeral homes reuse caskets?"
The answer from us is No.
We made the decision to exclude rental caskets from our range because we believe your loved one deserves their own vessel. We respect the cultural traditions of our Māori and Pasifika community that view the casket as a sacred space.
But we also know that integrity shouldn't cost a fortune. By offering our range of MDF cremation caskets, we provide a solution that is just as affordable as renting, but with 100% more peace of mind.
No sharing caskets. No secrets. Just a respectful farewell.
If you have questions about our casket range, prices, or the cremation process, please reach out. We are here to help 24/7.
Lagoon View Funeral Services 3 Korma Lane, Panmure, Auckland Phone: (09) 527 1866 Web: www.lagoonview.co.nz