Choosing a casket after the loss of a loved one can be a difficult experience. With the help of loved ones, you can choose an option that will reflect the deceased’s personality, style, and life. While the decision is personal, below are a few defining features of both metal and wood caskets that may help you determine which best represents your loved one.

A Guide to Casket Selection

Wood

Wood caskets are more traditional and present a warm, natural appearance. Many people like their simplicity and elegance, especially if they prefer natural-looking styles. If your loved one was a nature enthusiast or enjoyed rustic styles, wood may reflect their personality. Additionally, caskets can be made of maple, oak, pine, and walnut, and a wide selection of stain choices can make the casket look unique. Designs can be carved into the wood, which allows families and friends to choose details that pay tribute to their loved one’s life, hobbies, and interests.

Metal

Despite wood’s many benefits, some people prefer the glossy look of a metal casket. Between copper, bronze, and stainless steel, most people find something that suits someone with industrial or modern tastes. These can also be stamped with designs that will personalize the casket for your loved one. Metal can also be hermetically sealed to prevent outside elements from entering the casket, and it can be treated with chemicals to prevent corrosion and rust from forming.

How to Choose

If your loved one ever indicated a material preference, you should honor their wishes. Environmentally conscious people may have mentioned eco-friendly caskets while other may have indicated that they prefer options that are sealed from external elements. Consider their lifestyle as well: if they were a woodworker or a welder, a casket made of the material they worked with is a unique way to pay respects to their legacy. While it is ultimately a personal choice, you and your support system can turn to your loved one’s life to guide you through the process.

Choosing a casket requires compassion and guidance. Contact the caring staff at Mihovk-Rosenacker Funeral Home in Cincinnati, OH, to help you through your time of grief. Their dedicated staff will help with funeral planning and will comfort you as you process the loss. Visit their website to learn more about planning a meaningful funeral, and call (513) 385-0511 to schedule a meeting with a member of their staff.