GB2573210A - Casket - Google Patents

Abstract

A kit for the construction of a casket 1 comprising: a plurality of inter-engaging base sub-frames (14, 15, fig. 3), a plurality of inter-engaging upper sub-frames (21, 22, fig. 5), a plurality of struts (10, figure 2) for engagement with the base sub-frames and upper sub-frames, a plurality of inter-engaging lid frames 5, a plurality of panels 6, 7 for mounting into the container and lid framework, and at least two bridge components (11, figure 2) for connecting at least one of at least one junction between the plurality of base sub frames and at least one junction between the plurality of upper sub frames; wherein at least two dimensions of the casket kit are less than the equivalent dimensions of the constructed casket. Preferably, each component part of the kit has a length less than the total length of the constructed casket. The base frames are preferably equal in length, and the upper sub frames are preferably equal in length. The lid frames may be unequal in length. The sub-frames may comprise grooves for the insertion of the panels. The panels may bear personalised decorative images.

Description

CASKET

Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a casket or coffin suitable for use in burial and cremation. Use of the term casket herein is not limited to burial and cremation containers of a particular shape. The term casket is used herein to refer to any and all shapes of burial and cremation containers including, but not limited to, coffins.

Background to the Invention [0002] Traditionally funeral caskets are completely manufactured at one facility and are shipped in a complete or substantially complete form (e.g. omitting handles, name plates etc.) to undertakers and funeral homes. However, shipping and storage of the funeral caskets can be problematic and costly due to their size. To address these problems ‘ready-to-assemble’ or ‘flat-pack’ casket kits have been developed. For example US5709016 describes a ready-to-assembly casket kit offering the potential for casket customisation through individual selection from a range of compatible component parts. However, the casket base and the casket side walls are each single unitary components extending the entire length of the casket. Therefore, the shipping and storage of this ready-to-assemble casket kit for use with an adult cadaver remain problematic and costly because the length of the ready-to-assemble casket kit is likely to be between 160 and 200 cm (between approx. 5 ft. 2” and 6 ft. 4”). At these lengths the ready-to-assembly casket kit will be treated as an “outsized” item for shipping purposes.

[0003] A further example of a flat-pack casket construction is described in EP1475065 for use in combination with an inner cardboard coffin. Here too the lid, base and side walls are each single element (i.e. unitary) components and so this flat-pack casket construction also suffers from the problems mentioned above.

Summary of the Invention [0004] The present invention seeks to improve upon known ready-to-assemble and flat-pack casket constructions. The present invention also seeks to provide funeral casket kits, in the form of ready-to-assemble or flat-pack funeral casket constructions which offer greater scope for decorative personalisation.

[0005] The present invention therefore provides a casket kit comprising a plurality of interconnecting component parts adapted for construction of a funeral casket, the plurality of interconnecting component parts including a plurality of base sub-frames comprising inter-engaging means for connecting the plurality of base sub-frames together; a plurality of upper sub-frames; and a plurality of interconnecting struts adapted for inter-engagement with the base sub-frames and with the upper sub-frames to form a container framework, the interconnecting component parts further including a plurality of container panels adapted for mounting to the container framework; a plurality of lid frames adapted for inter-engagement to form a lid framework; and a plurality of lid panels adapted for mounting to the lid framework wherein the base sub-frames, upper sub-frames, interconnecting struts and lid frames are externally visible in the funeral casket when constructed and wherein the interconnecting component parts further include at least two bridge components with inter-engaging means for connecting the bridge components to one or both of the base sub-frames and the upper sub-frames wherein the bridge components are adapted to bridge at least one of at least one junction between the plurality of base sub-frames and at least one junction between the plurality of upper sub-frames and wherein at least two of the dimensions of the casket kit is less than the equivalent dimensions of the constructed casket.

[0006] Preferably, the container panels each have a thickness between 1 and 10 mm, more preferably between 1 and 5 mm.

[0007] Preferably, no component part of the casket kit has a length equal to the total length of the funeral casket when constructed. More preferably the length of each of the component parts of the casket kit is 66% or less of the total length of the funeral casket when constructed.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment each bridge component is adapted to bridge at least one junction between the plurality of base sub-frames and at least one junction between the plurality of upper sub-frames.

[0009] Ideally, each of the bridge components is a substantially rectangular frame.

[0010]The plurality of base sub-frames, the plurality of upper sub-frames, the plurality of interconnecting struts and the plurality of bridge components may include grooves wherein each groove is adapted to receive an edge of a container panel. Also a portion of each bridge component may be adapted for a container panel to overly that portion of the bridge component in the constructed casket.

[0011] Ideally, one or more of the container panels and/or the lid panels bears a personalised decorative image.

[0012] Also, preferably the casket kit may further include latching means for latching the casket lid to the casket container when constructed.

[0013] The present invention also provides a funeral casket when constructed using the casket kit described above.

[0014] Thus the present invention provides a funeral casket kit which is significantly reduced in length and weight in comparison to known ready-to-assemble funeral casket kits further reducing shipping costs. Moreover, with the funeral casket kit of the present invention each of the casket panels can be individually decorated offering much greater freedom for personalisation of the funeral casket.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0015] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a constructed coffin with plain white panels in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view (not to scale) a partially constructed funeral casket in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view (not to scale) of the base frame parts in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a partially constructed casket frame in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged schematic view (not to scale) of the bridge component of the casket frame in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged schematic view (not to scale) of casket locking mechanisms in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment [0016] A personalised casket 1 is shown in Fig. 1. The casket 1 comprises an open box or container 2 for holding a cadaver and a lid 3. In overview the open container 2 has a substantially rigid box framework 4 and a plurality of box panels 6 engaging the framework 4. The box framework 4 and box panels 6 together form the bottom and sides of the open container 2. In Fig. 1 the coffin 1 has ten box panels; six side panels, two end panels and two base panels of which four are visible in the perspective view. Similarly, the lid 3 comprises a substantially rigid lid framework 5 with two lid panels 7 engaging the lid framework 5. Although a pair of lid panels 7 are illustrated in the figures, the lid 3 may have more than two panels with the lid framework 5 adjusted to provide adequate support for each one of the lid panels 7. Similarly, the container 2 may comprise more box panels 6 than the number of panels illustrated, with the box framework 4 adjusted to provide adequate support for each of the box panels 6. Reference herein to a rigid box framework and a rigid lid framework is intended as reference to the frameworks being capable of withstanding and retaining their shape under the types of loads normally encountered by a funeral casket. The dimensions of the casket 1 vary depending upon the size of the cadaver the casket is intended to hold.

[0017] The frameworks 4, 5 of the container 2 and lid 3 are preferably made of a biodegradable material which ideally is sourced from an environmentally sustainable source. Examples of suitable materials for the frameworks 4, 5 of the container and lid are: oak, pine or similar wood material.

[0018] Each of the panels 6, 7 of the container 2 and lid 3 need only be sufficiently strong to maintain its planar shape in the absence of applied forces and comprises a planar backing board formed of, for example but not limited to, corrugated cardboard or plywood to which a decorative material is preferably added. The thickness of each of the panels is typically between 1 and 10 mm, more preferably between 1 and 5 mm. The decorative material may be applied on only the outer surface of the backing board (i.e. the surface facing outwardly away from the interior of the coffin) or on both surfaces of the planar backing board. The decorative material may be attached to the backing board in any conventional manner including, but not limited to, glue, pins, stitching, through holes and knotting of the decorative material or as a sleeve. Examples of biodegradable materials that may be used as the decorative material are, but not limited to: cardboard, paper, wool, wood, bamboo, willow, grasses, banana leaf, rattan, raffia, sisal, jute, vetiver, pandanus, wicker, seagrass, and water hyacinth.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1 in a particularly preferred embodiment the decorative material used for each of the panels 6, 7 is preferably a pre-printed paper or a pre-printed plastics laminate material such as vinyl. Each of the panels 6, 7 may bear a different decorative image or the same image may be repeated on more than one panel. Alternatively or in addition one or more of the panels may provide a writing surface enabling people to write messages or draw images directly onto the panel. The writing surface may be a paint, polyester or acrylic coating to function as a whiteboard or a slate or enamel layer may be provided to function as a chalkboard.

[0020] As is more clearly seen in Fig. 2, the box framework 4 is an open structure with a plurality of apertures 8 which, when the casket 1 is constructed, are each closed by a respective box panel 6. The illustrated casket kit comprises six inter-engaging sub-frames 9 (including base frames, upper sub-frames and lid sub-frames), four struts 10, a pair of bridge components 11, twelve panels and a plurality of attachment components such as pegs all of which are easily and quickly assembled together to form a casket; the casket assembly requiring no specialist skill or equipment. Notably, with the component parts stacked on top of one another two dimensions of the casket kit are less than the corresponding dimensions of the casket constructed using the kit. Also, as a result of the materials used for the framework and the panels and the thickness of the panels mentioned above, the cumulative weight of the casket kit is significantly less than the cumulative weight of a conventional casket or casket kit. Thus the casket kit described herein avoids, or at least reduces, the shipping and storage problems inherent with conventional funeral caskets and conventional ready to assembly casket kits.

[0021] In the casket kit, the base framework of the casket 1, which is not visible in Fig. 1, is formed of two inter-engaging base frames 14, 15. The two base frames 14, 15 are shown in exploded view in Fig. 3 and in this embodiment are substantially rectangular frames. The base frames 14, 15 are preferably substantially equal in length each forming around one half of the base of the casket. As shown in Fig. 3 each base frame 14, 15 has a respective end region of reduced thickness 14’, 15’ along one edge. The two reduced thickness end regions 14’, 15’, are intended to overlap one another forming an inter-engaging junction of the two sub-frames 14, 15. One of the end regions 14’ has a plurality of blind holes 16 extending in a line close to and substantially parallel to an outermost edge. When the two end regions 14’, 15’ overlap one another, each blind hole 16 is aligned with and faces towards a corresponding through hole 16’. Each aligned pair of holes 16, 16’ are sized to receive opposing ends of a peg or dowel which acts to hold the two end regions together. The pegs or dowels may be sized to form an interference fit with the holes 16, 16’ and/or an adhesive material such as wood glue may be used to secure the pegs in the holes. In an alternative casket embodiment (not illustrated), the through holes 16’ may be replaced with a corresponding line of blind holes.

[0022] Each base frame 14, 15 also includes rebates 13 defining the periphery of a respective panel aperture 8. In addition, the uppermost surface (as shown in the figures) of each base frame 14, 15 includes a plurality of shallow grooves 12 with each groove 12 sized to receive part or all of an edge of a box panel. Ideally the grooves 12 are positioned off-centre, closer to the outermost edges of the base frames 14, 15.

[0023] As may be seen in Fig. 3, the uppermost surface (as shown in the figures) of the two corners of each base frame 14, 15, remote from the overlapping end regions 14’, 15’, has a respective round blind hole 17. A pair of non-circular blind holes 18 are also provided in the uppermost surface of each of the base frames 14, 15. In Fig. 3 the non-circular holes are oval in cross-section, but alternative non-circular shapes are also envisaged. The non-circular blind holes 18 are located intermediate opposing ends of the base frames 14, 15 and are in non-grooved sections of the uppermost surfaces of the base frames 14, 15.

[0024] Turning to Fig. 4, corner struts 19 are mounted to each of the corners of the base frames 14, 15 that have round blind holes 17. Each corner strut 19 has shallow grooves 12 in two adjacent surfaces and, as with the base frames, the grooves are preferably off-centre. The grooves 12 in the corner struts 19 partially define the peripheries of an end and a side panel aperture 8. Round posts 20 project from each end of the corner struts 19 and are shaped to be inserted into the round blind holes in the base frames 14, 15. The round posts 20 may form an interference fit with the blind holes 17 and/or adhesive may be used to ensure secure inter-engagement of the corner struts 19 and the base frames 14, 15. In an alternative casket embodiment, the inter-engagement of posts and blind holes for securement of the corner struts 19 to the base frames 14, 15 is replaced by corresponding through holes in the base frames aligned with blind holes in the corner struts adapted to receive a screw, such as a thumb screw, or equivalent e.g. socket head screw.

[0025] Two upper sub-frames 21, 22 are shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The upper sub-frames 21,22 are substantially the same in length so that the junction between the two upper sub-frames is above and aligned with the aligned holes 16, 16’ in the two base frames 14, 15. Unlike the base frames 14, 15, the upper sub-frames 21,22 are both open, U-shaped frames. The upper sub-frames 21, 22 are attachable to the corner struts 17 in the same manner as the base frames 14, 15. Hence, in the surface of each upper sub-frame facing towards the base frames a pair of round blind holes 17 (not shown) are provided for receiving and engaging with the posts 20 of the corner struts 19. As mention earlier, alternative conventional means for securing the upper sub-frames and the corner struts together are also envisaged.

[0026] Each of the upper sub-frames 21, 22 further includes a pair of tongues 28 (not shown) which projects downwardly from the underside of the upper sub-frames 21,22 towards the base frames. Each tongue 28 includes a peg hole 29, preferably a through hole, the function of which will be described in detail below. The upper sub-frames 21,22 also include a plurality of shallow grooves 12 in the surface of the upper sub-frames which facies towards the base frames in the resultant casket with each of the grooves 12 defining part of the periphery of a side or end panel aperture 8. Ideally the grooves 12 are positioned off-centre, closer to the outermost edge of the box framework 4.

[0027] A first one of the two upper sub-frames 21 further includes two blind holes (not shown) each located approximately halfway along a respective side of the upper sub-frame 21. The blind hole extends downwardly from the uppermost surface of the sub-frame and is shaped to receive a tongue 28 with a peg hole 29. Two cross holes 30 are also provided through the sub-frame 21 each in communication with the interior of a respective one of the blind holes and aligned with the tongue’s peg hole 29 when the tongue 28 is in position within the blind hole. The second of the two upper sub-frames 22 has four blind holes (two on either side of the upper sub-frame). The first pair of blind holes are located approximately halfway along the respective sides of the upper sub-frame 22. The second pair of blind holes are located close to respective free ends of the upper sub-frame 22. A corresponding number of cross holes 30 are also provided each in communication with their respective blind holes. Thus the upper sub-frames 21,22 collectively have three blind holes 28 and associated cross holes 30 on each side of the casket.

[0028] Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the box framework 4 additionally includes a pair of bridge components or elements 11 in the form of rectangular supports which are adapted for mounting centrally one in each of the long sides of the box framework 4. Each of the bridge components 11 comprises a pair of support struts 23 and a lower and an upper bridge bar 24, 25 arranged in an open rectangular formation. Each support strut 23 includes a shallow groove 12 in opposing surfaces which define part of the periphery of side panel apertures 8 and, as described earlier, the grooves 12 are positioned off-centre, closer to the outermost edge of the box framework 4. Non-circular posts (not shown) project from the lowermost ends of the support struts 23 which are shaped and sized to interlock with the corresponding non-circular blind holes in the base frames 14, 15. As mentioned earlier, the posts and blind holes may be, for example, ovoid in cross-section. For each bridge component 11, the lower bridge bar 24 extends between the pair of support struts 23 immediately above and crossing the junction between the two base frames 14, 15 in the constructed casket. The upper bridge bar 25 of each bridge component 11 extends between the support struts 23 adjacent the uppermost ends of the support struts 23 with the upper bridge bar 25 immediately below the junction between the upper sub-frames 21,22 in the constructed casket. Furthermore, each of the bridge bars 24, 25 has a thickness that is preferably between 50% and 90% of the thickness of the support struts 23 and of the base and upper sub-frames 14, 15, 21, 22. The bridge bars 24, 25 are positioned to the inside of the grooves 12 so that the bridge bars do not overlie the grooves 12 in the surfaces of the base frames 14, 15 and the upper sub-frames 21, 22.

[0029] In the uppermost end of each of the support struts 23 a blind hole (not shown) is provided which is shaped to receive one of the tongues 28 of the upper sub-frames 21,22. A cross hole 30 is also provided through each support strut positioned to intersect with the interior of the blind hole and be aligned with the peg hole 29 in the tongue 28 of an upper sub-frame when the tongue 28 is in position within the blind hole, inter-engagement of each of the tongues 28 in their respective blind holes in the upper ends of the support struts 23 enables the upper sub-frames to be secured to the bridge components 11. A peg or latch 31 is inserted into the cross hole 30 and pushed through the peg hole 29 so as to lock the two components together. Ideally the peg or latch 31 includes a handle for ease of use.

[0030] As mentioned earlier, the outermost dimensions of the casket vary depending upon the size of the cadaver the casket is to contain. Commonly, a casket for an adult will have a pair of bridge components 11 with the length of each bridge bar preferably between 25.4 cm and 76.2 cm (10 and 30 inches), more preferably between 38.1 cm and 63.5 cm (15 and 25 inches). For example, for a cadaver 6’ 2” in height, a casket with equally sized decorative panels may have bridge bars 24, 25 around 51 cm (20 inches) in length.

[0031] Figs. 2 and 5 additionally show the lid framework 5 in position over the box framework 4. The lid framework 5 comprises two lid sub-frames 26, 27 of unequal length. Preferably the length of the shorter of the lid sub-frames 26, is approximately a third of the entire length of the lid, whereas the length of the longer of the lid sub-frames 27 is approximately two thirds the entire length of the lid. The lid sub-frames 26, 27 are similar in construction to the base frames 14, 15 but preferably the rebates 13 face towards the outside of the lid to enable the lid panels 7 to be mounted to the outside of the sub-frames 26, 27. Where the rebates 13 open towards the interior of the casket when constructed, the lid panels require additional fixings to hold the panels in place e.g. pin tacks or adhesive. As the two lid sub-frames 26, 27 are of different lengths, the junction between the lid sub-frames is offset (lengthways) from the junction between the base frames 14, 15 and from the junction between the upper sub-frames 21,22 of the box framework 4. However, ideally the length of the bridge components 11 is chosen so that the junction between the lid sub-frames 26, 27 overlies the upper bridge bars 25. The lid panels preferably have a thickness between 1 and 10 mm, more preferably between 1 and 5 mm. The thickness of the lid panels may be the same or different to the thickness of the side panels.

[0032] The lid framework 5 additionally includes a plurality of tongues 28 each having a respective peg hole 29. The tongues 28 project downwardly from the underside of the lid framework 5. Ideally three tongues 28 are provided, as shown, along each long side of the lid 3 with the shorter of the sub-frames 26 having one pair of tongues 28 and the longer of the lid sub-frames 27 having two pairs of tongues 28. The lid tongues 28 are positioned to be aligned with the blind holes in the upper sub-frames 21,22 and pegs or latches 31 are provided for insertion into the cross holes 30 for securing the lid 3 to the upper sub-frames 21,22.

[0033] Ideally, as illustrated, each of the pegs 31 includes a peg handle 33 for ease of handling. Whilst the illustrated casket embodiment has three locking tongues 28 along each side of the casket, a different number of locking tongues may be provided and further locking tongues may be provided at each end of the casket for securing the lid to the casket container. In addition, alternative conventional securing mechanisms may substitute for the locking tongues 28 to ensure reliable closure of the lid 3 to the container 2 and for securing the bridge components 11 to the upper sub-frames 21,22.

[0034] To further enhance and strengthen the engagement of the bridge components with the base and upper sub-frames, the lower and upper bridge bars 24, 25 may include additional blind holes accommodating projecting pegs or dowels 32 adapted for engagement with corresponding blind holes in the facing surfaces of the base frames 14, 15 and the upper sub-frames 21, 22.

[0035] The means for securing the individual component parts of the casket together are preferably chosen, arranged and shaped to prevent component parts being connected together incorrectly. Ideally this results in there being a single arrangement of the component parts permitting complete construction of the casket. It is also preferable for the means for securing the casket component parts together being selected to enable construction of the casket by someone lacking carpentry expertise or experience.

[0036] As illustrated in Fig. 1, one or more casket handles 34 may be provided with the casket kit for attachment to the outside of the support struts 23 either orientated to accommodate a coffin rod or orientated to be held manually. The casket handles 34 may comprise any suitable material, commonly wood or rope. A lining material may also be provided as part of the funeral casket kit. Alternatively lining material may be provided by the undertakers or funeral home responsible for the construction of the casket.

[0037] Construction of the casket by an undertaker or funeral home involves the following steps: a. joining the base frames 14, 15 together; b. attaching the corner struts 19 to the corners of the base frames 14, 15; c. attaching the two bridge components 11 to the base frames 14, 15; d. mounting two base panels (pre-printed or plain) so that the peripheral edges of the base panels rest in the rebates 13 of the base frames 14, 15; e. mounting the end panels, decorative surface outwards, into the box framework by sliding opposing edges of each of the end panels along the grooves 12 in the corner struts 19 and ensuring the lower edge of each of the end panels slides into a respective groove 12 in the base frames 14, 15; f. mounting six pre-printed side panels, decorative surface outwards, into the box framework by sliding opposing edge of each side panel along grooves 12 in the corner struts 19 and the support struts 23, ensuring the lower edge of each of the side panels slides into a respective groove 12 in the base frames 14, 15, and with the central side panels being positioned outwardly of and overlying the lower and upper bridge bars 24, 25; g. attaching the upper sub-frames 21, 22 to the corner struts 19, inserting the locking tongues 28 of the upper sub-frames into the blind holes in the support struts 23, and ensuring that the upper edges of the side and end panels slide into the grooves 12 in the upper sub-frames 21, 22; h. inserting locking pegs into the cross holes 30 in the support struts 23 and through into the peg holes 29 in the locking tongues 28 of the upper sub-frames; i. securing the two lid sub-frames 26, 27 together; j. mounting pre-printed lid panels, decorative surface outwards, in the lid sub-frames 26, 27 and optionally securing the lid panels in position; k. attaching optional handles and plaques; l. lining the interior of the casket.; and m. securing to lid to the box only after the cadaver has been placed in the box.

[0038] Whilst some of the construction steps set out above may be performed in a different order to the order set out above, the bottom, end and side panels 6 must be in place before the upper sub-frames 21, 22 are attached to the remainder of the box framework 4.

[0039] As shown in the figures, the external appearance of the constructed casket is pleasing as the constructed casket is substantially symmetric. This is achieved without loss of container framework strength as the lower and upper bridging bars 24, 25 are hidden from external view by the overlying decorative panels. The visible width of each of the component parts of the container framework and separately of the lid framework may be substantially the same. Alternatively the visible width of all horizontal (as seen in the figures) component parts may be substantially the same and the visible width of all vertical (as seem in the figures) component parts may be substantially the same but different to the width of the horizontal component parts.

[0040] With the funeral casket described above, images for inclusion on individual panels of the casket are selected by the customer and sent, preferably electronically, to the casket manufacturer. The casket manufacturer then produces high-quality prints of the images at the correct size and secures the images to the panel backing boards. The casket manufacturer then sends the funeral casket kit including the pre-printed panels as a ‘flat pack’ kit to the customer who will usually be an undertakers or funeral home. With the illustrated embodiment the component parts are arranged and stacked together in the flat pack casket kit so that the sizes of two of the three dimensions of the casket kit are less than the sizes of the equivalent dimensions of the casket constructed using the kit. For example in the casket kit the panels, base sub-frames, the upper sub-frames, the lid frames and the bridge components may be stacked on top of one another with the interconnecting struts either on top or either side of the stack of component parts.

[0041] In the casket kit, the base sub-frames, upper sub-frames, lid frames and bridge components may be further broken down so that each comprises a plurality of interconnecting longitudinally extending bracing components each of approximately rectangular cross-section. This enables the bracing components to be stacked with the panels in the casket kit so that the sizes of all of the dimensions of the flat pack casket kit are less than the sizes of the corresponding dimensions of the casket constructed using the kit. Indeed, the flat pack casket kit may be 2/3rds or less the length of a conventional casket kit and so is more easily handled by one person. This significantly reduces the shipping costs of the personalised casket in comparison to the equivalent shipping costs were the casket to be constructed by the manufacturer. Once the kit is delivered to the undertaker, the undertaker constructs the personalised casket on site ready for the cadaver.

[0042]Where a customer opts for a casket as described herein, the funeral director will place the order with the casket manufacturer. The customer may choose all of the images for the casket panels themselves or they may wish others to also have an opportunity to select images for inclusion on the casket. The customer provides contact email addresses for everyone wishing to suggest an image for the casket (the stakeholders) to the funeral director.

Each stakeholder is asked to send an image they would like printed on one of the casket panels to the casket manufacturer using a unique ID code, to ensure that anything they send is linked to the correct order. Once the casket manufacturer has received sufficient images for the number of casket panels available, the casket manufacturer prepares high quality prints of the images and attaches the prints to the casket panels before sending the casket kit with the decorated panels out for construction by the funeral director. The framework of the casket remains externally visible in the resultant casket and visually frames each of the selected images of the personalised casket.

[0043] Although in the illustrated embodiment two bridge components are employed, the framework of the box may be broken down into smaller sub-frames which require additional bridge components to ensure the strength and integrity of the box framework.

[0044] It will, of course, be understood that the coffin 1 described herein is not limited to the particular dimensions or outline illustrated in the figures: the coffin may be any shape capable of containing a cadaver including but not limited to a conventional coffin shape or rectangle. Furthermore, the component materials of the coffin 1 may be different to the ones set above. The material used for the box framework may be different to the material used for the lid framework and similarly the material used for the box panels may be different to the material used for the lid panel or panels. Moreover different materials may be used for different panels of the container and/or of the lid. Further changes and alterations to the embodiments described herein are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A casket kit comprising a plurality of interconnecting component parts adapted for construction of a funeral casket, the plurality of interconnecting component parts including a plurality of base sub-frames comprising inter-engaging means for connecting the plurality of base sub-frames together; a plurality of upper sub-frames; and a plurality of interconnecting struts adapted for inter-engagement with the base sub-frames and with the upper sub-frames to form a container framework, the interconnecting component parts further including a plurality of container panels adapted for mounting to the container framework; a plurality of lid frames adapted for interengagement to form a lid framework; and a plurality of lid panels adapted for mounting to the lid framework wherein the base sub-frames, upper sub-frames, interconnecting struts and lid frames are externally visible in the funeral casket when constructed and wherein the interconnecting component parts further include at least two bridge components and inter-engaging means for connecting the bridge components to one or both of the base sub-frames and the upper sub-frames wherein the bridge components are adapted to bridge at least one of at least one junction between the plurality of base sub-frames and at least one junction between the plurality of upper sub-frames and wherein the sizes of at least two of the dimensions of the casket kit is less than the sizes of the equivalent dimensions of the constructed casket.

2. The casket kit of claim 1, wherein each container panel has a thickness of between 1 and 10 mm.

3. The casket kit of claim 2, wherein each container panel has a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm.

4. The casket kit of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each of the component parts of the casket kit has a length less than the length of the constructed funeral casket.

5. The casket kit of claim 4, wherein the maximum length of each of the component parts of the casket kit is 66% or less of the total length of the constructed funeral casket.

6. The casket kit of 5, wherein the plurality of base sub-frames are substantially equal in length, the plurality of upper sub-frames are substantially equal in length and the plurality of lid frames are unequal in length.

7. The casket kit of claim 6, comprising two lid frames a first lid frame being substantially half the length of the second lid frame.

8. The casket kit of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each bridge component is adapted to bridge at least one junction between the plurality of base sub-frames and at least one junction between the plurality of upper sub-frames.

9. The casket kit of claim 8, wherein each of the bridge components is a substantially rectangular frames.

10. The casket kit of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the plurality of base sub-frames, the plurality of upper sub-frames, the plurality of interconnecting struts and the plurality of bridge components include grooves each groove being adapted to receive an edge of a container panel.

11. The casket kit of any one of the preceding claims wherein a portion of each bridge component is adapted for a container panel to overly that portion of the bridge component in the constructed casket.

12. The casket kit of any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one of the container panels and/or the lid panels bears a personalised decorative image.

13. The casket kit of any one of the preceding claims further including latching means for latching the casket lid to the casket container when constructed.

14. The casket kit of any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least two bridge components are adapted for one or more handles to be mounted thereon.

15. A funeral casket constructed using the casket kit of any one of claims 1 to 14.