Casket Selection Guide: Types, Materials & Prices in Georgia Funeral Homes
Choosing a casket for someone you love is one of those decisions that nobody feels fully prepared for. You're navigating grief, time pressure, and a purchasing process that most people have never gone through before — all at the same time. It's a lot.
That's why we want to walk you through what you actually need to know about casket selection in Georgia: the different types available, what materials mean for quality and cost, and how to make a choice that honors your loved one without straining your family's finances. Because being informed isn't just practical — it's empowering.
Why Casket Selection Matters More Than You Think
A casket is often the single most significant expense in a traditional funeral service. Across Georgia funeral homes, casket prices can range anywhere from around $900 for a basic model to well over $10,000 for a premium metal or solid hardwood option. That's a wide range, and without the right information, it's easy to feel pressured into spending more than you intended — or to feel uncertain about whether a more affordable choice is "enough."
Here's what we want you to know from the start: the love and respect you have for your loved one isn't measured by the price of the casket you choose. What matters most is that the choice feels right for your family.
The Two Main Casket Types
Before getting into materials, it helps to understand that caskets generally fall into two broad categories.
Full-couch caskets have a lid that opens in one continuous piece, allowing the full body to be viewed during visitation if the family chooses. These are less common today but remain a traditional option for certain cultural and religious preferences.
Half-couch caskets are far more common. The lid is split into two sections — only the upper half opens, which is the style most people are familiar with from funeral services. The vast majority of caskets sold in Georgia funeral homes are half-couch.
Casket Materials: What's the Difference?
The material a casket is made from affects everything — its appearance, durability, weight, and price. Here's a breakdown of what you'll typically encounter.
Metal Caskets
Metal caskets are the most widely available option at Georgia funeral homes, and they come in a range of metals and gauges.
Steel caskets are the most common and affordable metal option. They're measured in gauge — the lower the gauge number, the thicker (and stronger) the steel. A 20-gauge steel casket is standard and typically the most budget-friendly metal choice, often starting in the $900–$2,500 range. An 18-gauge casket is heavier and sturdier, usually running $2,000–$4,500. A 16-gauge casket represents the thickest steel option and tends to fall in the $3,500–$5,500 range.
Stainless steel offers corrosion resistance and a polished, durable finish. These typically run $3,000–$6,000.
Copper and bronze caskets sit at the top of the metal category. They're non-rusting, naturally antimicrobial, and have a distinctive warm appearance. Expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 or more for copper or bronze.
Many metal caskets also feature a "sealer" or "protective" design with a rubber gasket that creates an airtight seal. It's worth knowing that the FTC prohibits funeral homes from claiming that these caskets preserve remains indefinitely — sealing can actually trap gases and moisture inside. Whether a sealer model is right for your family is a personal preference, not a necessity.
Wood Caskets
Wood caskets have a warmth and natural beauty that many families are drawn to, and they're also the required choice for certain Jewish and other religious traditions that specify natural burial materials.
Softwood caskets — made from pine, poplar, or similar woods — are the most affordable wood option, often ranging from $900 to $2,000. Simple pine caskets are commonly associated with traditional Jewish funerals and green burials, though they're available to any family who prefers them.
Hardwood caskets are made from oak, maple, cherry, walnut, mahogany, or pecan, and they're significantly more substantial in both appearance and price. Oak and maple typically run $2,500–$5,000, while cherry and walnut can reach $5,000–$8,000. Mahogany sits at the higher end of the hardwood spectrum, often $6,000–$10,000+.
Wood caskets are not sealable in the way metal caskets are, which makes them a natural fit for families who prefer a green or natural burial approach.
Alternative Caskets
As more families explore eco-friendly options, you'll find a growing range of alternative casket materials — wicker, bamboo, seagrass, and other biodegradable materials. These are popular for green burials and tend to range from $1,000 to $3,500. They're beautiful in a completely different way from traditional caskets, and they're an increasingly meaningful choice for families who want the burial to reflect environmental values.
A Word About Interior Linings
When you're reviewing caskets, you'll also notice differences in the interior — the fabric lining, pillow, and overlay inside the casket. Common materials include crepe, velvet, and satin. While the interior is a finishing detail rather than a structural one, it does contribute to the overall appearance of the casket during visitation. Your funeral director can walk you through the options available in each model.
Georgia Casket Prices: What to Expect
To give you a realistic picture, here's a general price range for casket selection in Georgia funeral homes:
Casket Type
Approximate Price Range
20-gauge steel
$900 – $2,500
18-gauge steel
$2,000 – $4,500
16-gauge steel
$3,500 – $5,500
Stainless steel
$3,000 – $6,000
Copper / Bronze
$4,000 – $10,000+
Pine / Softwood
$900 – $2,000
Oak / Maple
$2,500 – $5,000
Cherry / Walnut
$5,000 – $8,000
Mahogany
$6,000 – $10,000+
Eco / Biodegradable
$1,000 – $3,500
Prices vary by funeral home and supplier. These ranges are general estimates.
Money-Saving Tips for Casket Selection in Georgia
We believe that every family deserves a dignified, beautiful service regardless of their budget. Here are a few practical ways to make thoughtful casket decisions without overspending.
Know your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule. Federal law requires all funeral homes to provide a General Price List upfront, including itemized casket prices. You have the right to see this before making any decisions. At In Their Honor, we make our General Price List available right on our website — no pressure, no surprises.
You can purchase a casket from a third party. This is one of the most important things families don't always realize. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must accept a casket you've purchased elsewhere and cannot charge you a handling fee for doing so. Online retailers like Costco, Walmart, and specialty casket companies often sell caskets at significantly lower prices than funeral home showrooms. If you do go this route, just make sure to confirm delivery timelines so the casket arrives in time for the service.
Consider whether a rental casket makes sense. If your family is planning a cremation but still wants a traditional viewing or visitation beforehand, a rental casket is a genuinely practical option. It allows for a dignified service without the cost of a casket that won't be used for burial. Ask your funeral director about availability.
Don't feel pressured by upgrades. A well-made 20-gauge steel casket or solid pine casket is a completely dignified choice. Spending more doesn't mean loving more — and a compassionate funeral team will never make you feel otherwise.
Pre-planning locks in today's prices. If you're thinking about casket selection for yourself in the future, planning ahead is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. Pre-planning your funeral allows you to select your casket now at current prices, protecting your family from future cost increases and from having to make difficult decisions during an emotional time.
How We Help Families With Casket Selection at In Their Honor
At In Their Honor Funeral and Cremation Providers in Fairmount, Georgia, casket selection is a conversation — not a sales transaction. When you work with our team, we take the time to understand what matters to your family: your budget, your loved one's personality, your cultural or religious preferences, and the type of service you're planning. From there, we help you navigate your options clearly and without pressure.
We're proud to offer burial services and personalization options that make each farewell as unique as the person being honored. Whether you're arranging a traditional service with burial, a cremation with a memorial gathering, or something else entirely, we'll help you find the right fit for your family.
For families who want to get a head start — whether for themselves or for an aging parent — our pre-planning services walk you through casket selection and every other aspect of funeral planning at a pace that feels comfortable. You can even plan online from the comfort of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia law require a casket for burial?
Georgia does not require a specific type of casket, but most cemeteries have their own requirements. Many require a burial vault or grave liner to support the ground above the burial site. Check with your cemetery directly, and your funeral director can help you understand what's required at your specific location.
Can I use a casket for cremation?
Yes. Many families who choose cremation with a prior viewing or visitation use either a rental casket or an alternative container. If direct cremation is the plan without a viewing, a simple cremation container is all that's needed — and the cost is significantly lower.
Do I have to buy a casket from the funeral home?
No. Federal law gives you the right to purchase a casket from any source and have the funeral home use it. The funeral home cannot refuse or add a surcharge for this. That said, buying from a reputable funeral home with a clearly priced selection list does offer the convenience of one-stop coordination and the assurance that the casket meets all requirements.
What's the difference between a "protective" and a "non-protective" casket?
Protective (or sealer) caskets use a rubber gasket to create an airtight seal when closed. Non-protective caskets do not. Neither option prevents decomposition, and no funeral home can legally claim otherwise. The choice is purely a matter of personal preference.
How do I know which casket is right for my loved one?
There's no single right answer — it comes down to your family's values, budget, and what feels meaningful to you. The best casket is the one you feel at peace with. A caring, transparent funeral team will help you get there without making you feel rushed or judged.
Walking Through This Together
Casket selection in Georgia doesn't have to feel overwhelming. When you're armed with the right information — and supported by a team that genuinely cares — it becomes one more way to honor someone whose life mattered deeply.
At In Their Honor, we're here to walk through every step of this process with you. Whether you're making immediate arrangements or exploring pre-planning options for the future, we'd love to help. Give us a call at 678-770-7523, visit us at 2764 US Highway 411 SE, Fairmount, Georgia 30139, or contact us online. We're here, and we're ready to help in any way we can.
Walking through life and loss together.
