If you grew up in an observant Jewish household, you might know everything there is to know about Jewish funeral traditions such as sitting Shiva. However, even if you're familiar with these customs regarding death and grief, you may need a refresher if you are heading to a Jewish funeral for the first time.
Our Top Picks for Jewish Caskets and More
- Titan Casket Pine Casket ($799.00)
- Straw Bedding ($59.99)
- Forever Redwood All Natural Casket ($2,800)
- Embroidered Caskets
- Wicker Casket ($899)
- Wooden Star of David
- Ark Wood Caskets
Jump ahead to these sections:
- What’s a Jewish Casket?
- How Much Do Jewish Caskets Typically Cost?
- What Are the Different Types of Jewish Caskets?
- What Traditions Are Associated With Jewish Caskets?
- Tips for Picking Out a Jewish Casket
- Where Can You Purchase a Jewish Casket?
Whether you’re helping a friend or a loved one navigating the difficult realities of burying a family member or a distant relative who wants to help those you love, knowing the different traditions regarding Jewish caskets can go a long way. If you’re curious about where to start your research, here are some basics to get you on your way.
What’s a Jewish Casket?
A Jewish casket looks very similar to non-Jewish caskets. If you were to lift the lid and look inside, however, you’ll see several differences between Jewish caskets and those used by other cultures.
What are the requirements?
For a casket to be considered Jewish or kosher, there are several rules that casket makers much follow. First, no casket can be built on the Sabbath, the day of rest in Judaism. No work can be done on Sabbath. Secondly, the entire casket must be made of biodegradable materials. This means there can be no metal anywhere on or in the casket including screws or hinges.
Most caskets have minimal outer adornment keeping with the tradition that all men are equal in death. These caskets may also have a Star of David on the outside of the casket.
Because the deceased must touch the earth, some casket makers will drill holes in the bottom of the casket to allow dirt from the burial plot to enter up through the casket. If holes are not drilled, then the family must place dirt from the cemetery or from Israel inside the casket with their loved one. The inside of the casket should not be lined with bedding. The only things allowed (aside from the deceased) are some dirt from Israel and a prayer shawl.
What do they look like?
On the outside, Jewish caskets look much like any other casket. Many are simple and elegant with rounded edges and corners, polished wood, pallbearer handles, and a hinged lid. Some, on the other hand, are very basic with no handles, polish, or edging and a very basic lid that sits on top.
How Much Do Jewish Caskets Typically Cost?
Like any casket, the cost for Jewish caskets differs significantly depending on the style, embellishments, type of lining, and wood used. On the more budget-friendly end, you can find a simple, traditional pine box for around $400.
On the other end, however, some of the most elegant caskets can easily cost around $14,000 and higher. When it comes to Jewish caskets, almost anyone may find a casket that fits their wishes and budget.
What Are the Different Types of Jewish Caskets?
Even though caskets must be crafted from wood and contain no metal whatsoever, this rule hasn’t limited the creative mind of casket makers. You can find numerous types of caskets from the simplest versions created in pine to caskets crafted with the finest of woods available.
1. Pine box
A pine box casket is the most traditional of all Jewish caskets and is used widely by many Orthodox and traditional observant families. The beauty in this box is its purposeful lack of adornment. While expertly crafted, the casket itself is made entirely of pine.
Most of these are simple wooden boxes with a flat top. Some come with rails for pallbearers, though most do not. Many pine boxes have holes drilled in the bottom to allow dirt to come up through the casket to touch the body. This simple option will always be the most budget-friendly of all casket prices. Another benefit is that you can easily buy pine caskets online.
2. Casket with straw bedding
Straw bedding is used in most simple caskets such as pine, poplar, or redwood boxes. This allows a minimal barrier between the person who is laid to rest, the box, and the ground.
Straw bedding caskets are ideal for families who are orthodox, conservative, or strictly observant and want to follow the orthodox manner of burial. This option can be added to most any casket, from the simplest box to the most elaborate casket.
3. Crepe lining
If you prefer a more stylish lining than the traditional straw, you might consider a crepe lining.
Usually white or beige, this type of lining comes with more elaborate caskets. If you desire a fancier casket, such as those with a hinged lid, you’ll be able to add crepe lining.
4. Embroidered lining
Caskets with crepe or linen lining can be personalized through embroidery on the fabric on the hinged lid of the casket. This is a popular choice for many who desire to add special touches to their loved one’s caskets.
Though embroidery can be customized, many casket makers offer the following premade options:
- “Mother” with roses or flowers
- “Daughter” with flowers
- “Shalom” with vines
- Star of David
- Menorah
Traditional Jewish funerals do not have open caskets, so the embroidery serves solely as a special touch from the family to their deceased loved ones.
5. Shroud
For families that prefer an even greener burial than the simple pine wood box allows, there are a number of “green cemeteries” that allow the burial of the deceased in wicker baskets or simple shrouds, as is the tradition in Israel.
If a green burial is chosen with a shroud, there will be no casket and the body of the deceased will be lowered into the burial plot as-is.
6. Solid oak
The better the wood you choose, the more expensive the casket will be.
There will also be fancier decorations to accompany the higher pricing, but keep this in mind and shop according to budget. Solid oak caskets have a beautiful hue whether or not they are presented with an unfinished exterior or finished and polished to a high shine.
7. Redwood
Redwood is a deep-hued wood with a dark, lustrous stain. For those who want a casket that will serve as a beautiful, final resting place, redwood caskets would be a good option.
Caskets made of redwood can be as simple as the traditional “pine box” or made to look fancier. Redwood is a nicer wood than pine and you may prefer a casket with a rounded lid, embellished sides, and pallbearer handles. As with any Jewish casket, this will be made entirely of wood, and no metal elements.
8. Mahogany
Mahogany is also favored for its lustrous quality and royal appearance.
When stained, mahogany caskets are built with plush inner linings and outside carvings to match the beauty of the wood.
What Traditions Are Associated With Jewish Caskets?
As with any aspect of Jewish life, there are customs and traditions around funerals and caskets as well. Here are several of the most prominent.
Biodegradable
Caskets must be created from materials that are completely biodegradable. This concept comes from the scripture in Genesis 3:19 where it says, “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” Caskets must be made of materials that allow a body to naturally decompose and return to the earth. Metal caskets prevent this from occurring and, therefore, are not considered Jewish or kosher.
Wood is the most commonly used material for Jewish caskets, but there is no specific regulation regarding the materials that can be used other than the requirement that it must be biodegradable. Another example of a biodegradable casket is one made of wicker.
No bedding
The most orthodox or conservative Jewish caskets have no bedding inside.
This is to allow the body of the deceased contact with the dirt as quickly as possible as the wood degrades. As such, there should be no barriers between the body of the deceased and the ground beneath them.
Holes drilled or dirt inside
Because bodies are to return to dust, many casket makers will drill holes on the bottom of the casket to allow dirt to filter into the casket to touch the body.
If no holes are drilled, families will usually place dirt from the cemetery or from Israel inside the casket with the body of their loved one. Either of these options fulfills the tradition of returning to dirt.
Little to no embellishments
One of the many Jewish funeral traditions surrounding caskets is that they should be plain and lacking adornment.
As mentioned above, this comes from the belief that all men are equal upon death. Since all are equal, then there is no reason for a heavily embellished casket. The one exception to this rule is the allowance of a wooden Star of David which is usually placed on the foot-end of the casket.
Simple designs
In addition to a lack of embellishment, it is generally believed that the caskets themselves should be of a simple design.
Most will be shaped with curved corners and rounded edges, and some will have a layered effect. Beyond this, however, there is little else in terms of design to be found on Jewish caskets.
Tips for Picking Out a Jewish Casket
Picking out a casket for yourself or a loved one can feel like a daunting task. Thankfully, with a few insightful tips to help you on your way, you’re sure to figure out which option is the right one.
Set a budget or price range
It may be hard to think about setting a budget for your loved one’s casket, but this is one of the best things you can do. Decide on a price range before you even start shopping. This way, when you browse online or you shop in person, you’ll automatically narrow your options.
Setting a budget can help keep you from overspending, stop you from making purely emotional choices, and make decision-making a bit easier.
Consider your loved one’s preferences
Jewish caskets range from lovely plain pine boxes to beautiful high-shine poplar with mahogany stain. Consider what your loved one would have chosen if they were shopping with you. Did they prefer the simple things in life, or did they like things that were more on the posh side?
Think of the casket as an extension of their personality and choose accordingly.
Have someone shop with you
Whether you’re shopping online or you’re going to a funeral home, take a trusted relative or close family friend with you. Together, you can discuss the pros and cons of each casket option and arrive at a decision.
If the decision isn’t yours alone to make, it can make the process of choosing a casket much easier.
Spend a little time comparing prices
When shopping for a casket, prices vary widely. You aren’t required to purchase from a funeral home, so if you have the time, compare prices between the funeral home and a website or two. Many websites will ship directly to the funeral home for free or a reasonable price, and funeral homes are required by law to accept caskets shipped to them.
Where Can You Purchase a Jewish Casket?
You can purchase a Jewish casket at many of the same places at which you can purchase non-Jewish caskets. Here are several of the best places for finding Halalic, or Jewish law-approved, caskets.
Best Price Caskets
As the name implies, Best Price Caskets offers caskets at some of the best prices you’ll find. Since the manufacturer sells direct, they pass the savings onto the customer. This results in prices a fraction of what you’ll find at funeral homes or some other online stores.
They offer five styles of Jewish caskets, all made from wood with no metal. Prices range from $1,495 to $1,595, which can end up saving you around $4,000-$5,000. All caskets can have the Star of David applied on the lid for no charge. Ground shipping is free.
Jewish Funeral Home
If you’d rather purchase a casket in person, one of your best bets is going to be a Jewish funeral home. These funeral homes, such as Dressler’s, often have connections to a wide variety of Jewish casket makers at a range of price points.
Dressler’s offers caskets that range from $1,095 to as high as $11,500. When purchasing directly through a funeral home, shipping fees are usually waived, and the funeral home handles all the paperwork.
Ark Wood Caskets
If you’re looking for a simple casket that is rabbi-approved and budget-friendly, you can’t do better than Ark Wood Caskets. Each casket is inspected by a rabbi on-site before the casket ships and will cost a very reasonable $639 plus shipping.
Shipping costs are much lower than some companies because the caskets ship unassembled and flat. Assembly is fast and easy, and instructions are provided to guide you through each step. If you want to order a casket, you’ll need to contact the company directly by calling.
Etsy
Etsy is the home of all things hand-crafted and custom-made. As such, you’ll find a few storefronts on Etsy that offer Jewish caskets. One seller, StrongOaks Woodshop, makes custom order projects such as caskets. Their pine caskets are eco-friendly and made entirely without metal.
The caskets range in price from $1,295 to $3,449, and shipping is free. Personalization requests can be made when ordering to include items such as a wooden Star of David.
A Better Casket
A Better Casket is another company that sells directly to customers. They have a selection of 9 styles, all Halalic, that range in price from $874 to $3,534. All caskets come with free delivery to the mortuary or funeral home of your choice.
Honoring Your Loved One
The best way to honor someone you love is by following their beliefs and traditions when it comes to burial. Putting their wishes and traditions first shows tremendous respect and love for the one you lost.
If you're looking for more on this subject, read our guides on Jewish funerals and headstone unveiling.
Sources
- “Guide to Burying a Loved One in Israel.” Resources, ITIM, 2020. itim.org.il/en/itim-guide-to-burying-a-loved-one-in-israel/
- Guttman, Fred. “How Jewish Burials are Actually Green Burials, Too.” Death and Mourning, Reform Judaism, 24 July 2014, reformjudaism.org/blog/2017/07/24/how-jewish-burials-are-actually-green-burials-too
- Fishkoff, Sue. “First Green Jewish Cemetery Opens.” Lifestyle, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 28 March 2010, jta.org/2010/03/28/lifestyle/first-green-jewish-cemetery-opens
- “Types of Jewish Burials.” Burial and Cemetery, Shiva, 2020, shiva.com/learning-center/burial-and-cemetery/types-of-jewish-burials/
- Wolfson, Ron. “The Casket, or Aron.” Mourn, My Jewish Learning, 2020, myjewishlearning.com/article/the-casket-or-aron/