Thacker Caskets, Inc.

Metals

Bronze is one of man’s most revered and recognized metals. It was first developed about 3000BC when tin was mixed with copper to produce a metal much stronger and more resistant to corrosion than copper alone. Bronze was perfected by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Bronze is often referenced in the Bible. In 1 Kings, Hiram of Tyre was described as “a craftsman in bronze, wise, adroit, and skillful” when he was summoned by King Solomon to work on the Temple. Today bronze serves man as the finest of metals chosen for casket production. Bronze is one-third stronger than stainless steel, and is naturally non-rusting. It offers a brilliant finish that is often enhanced when the casket’s surface is meticulously hand brushed. Bronze is the choice when only the finest in metals is desired for a lasting final tribute.

Copper was man’s first metal. Its use can be traced back to Mesopotamia 10,000 years ago, and for 5,000 years it was man’s ONLY metal. Early workers hammered natural copper into spear points, knives, and pendants. Smelting of copper began about 5,000 years ago. The ancient civilization of Cyprus gave us the name Cyperium—it was their most treasured resource. Later, the Romans changed the name to Copper. Copper’s resistance to weather’s elements is legendary. Copper water pipes found at the great Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt are still serviceable after 5,000 years! Paul Revere was a coppersmith. The Statue of Liberty is just one of the famous structures crafted from this versatile metal. Copper caskets are revered for their durability. They are one third stronger than stainless steel. The natural beauty of copper shines through when the surface of the copper casket is carefully hand brushed. Many families find the traditional benefits of copper appealing when making a casket selection.

In 1912, Harry Brearley, of England, invented stainless steel in an effort to prevent steel cannon barrels from rusting. He combined the element chromium with carbon steel and found that the resulting mixture was not only stronger than traditional steel but amazingly resistant to rust. This revolutionized many industries including cutlery, surgical instruments, roofing, etc. The Saturn V rocket that took man to the Moon was made from stainless steel. Today, stainless steel offers an affordable option to families seeking great strength and corrosion resistance in the selection of a burial casket. Often, the surface of stainless steel caskets are carefully brushed to reveal the unmistakable beauty and character of this well recognized metal.

Steel as we know it was invented by Henry Bessemer in England in 1855. Up to that time, cast iron was the primary building material, but it was brittle and difficult to work. Henry mixed pig iron with other metals like nickel and copper to produce the first steel.
Andrew Carnegie pioneered steel production in the US. The use of steel transformed industries such as ship building, railroads, architecture, and even casket making. By the late 1850s, heavy cast iron coffins were being replaced by lighter, and less expensive sheet metal caskets. Today, cold rolled steel is the leading material used for casket production. The primary difference in steel caskets lies in the thickness of the steel employed. 16 gauge steel means that it takes 16 sheets of steel to make a stack an inch thick. So, the lower the gauge number, the thicker the metal. 16 gauge is the thickest steel used in the casket industry. Because of the extra thickness, it is possible to achieve more attractive casket stylings such as elegant urn shapes and stately rounded corners. Families seeking the very best in solid steel choose 16 gauge.

Eighteen gauge steel is the most common material used for casket production in America today. It is 1/3 thicker than 20 gauge steel and offers steel’s many benefits at a lower cost than the thicker 16 gauge caskets. Steel is one of man’s most durable products. Well known structures like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco stand as testimonial to steel’s remarkable durability. 18 gauge steel can be formed into rounded corner caskets or stamped into rectangular shapes. Often, corner posts and columns are added to accent the casket’s design. A wide variety of finishes and interior fabric options are featured in 18 gauge caskets—a very versatile material. Thacker Caskets, Inc. offers one of the funeral industry’s broadest selections of 18 gauge steel caskets.

Twenty gauge steel is among the lightest weight of steels used in the casket industry today. About 1/3 as thick as 16 gauge steel, 20 gauge steel is chosen by those seeking a more economical alternative. These caskets are generally stamped into rectangular forms with square corners, feature various corner decorations, and painted finishes. Thacker Caskets, Inc. offers one of the casket industry’s most extensive selections of 20 gauge gasketed caskets.

Twenty gauge basic caskets feature the same strength attributes as regular 20 gauge steel caskets. To make them as affordable as possible, these caskets do not have the rubber gaskets and locking mechanisms found on all other Thacker metal caskets. They also tend to feature less expensive hardware and are available in a more limited range of finish options. Still, these are very serviceable designs that are appreciated by families seeking the strength of steel at an economical price.