QuickLinks:  Caskets  |  Vaults  |  Urns  |  Keepsakes

The following items are just a few of the many types of funeral merchandise available. The information is for your reference. Feel free to contact us with questions or for more information.

Caskets

Choosing a casket is not always an easy choice. Most people who prearrange their funeral choose a casket that is a direct reflection of their personal taste. Color, style, sealing preference and your preferred method of disposition are all factors that should be considered when making your selection.

We have provided a few photos of some of the different types of caskets below. We deal exclusively with Aurora, and there are more options available other than what you will see here. If you have any questions about caskets, we urge you to contact a representative of Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home and let us answer them for you.

Bronze, a semi-precious material and an alloy of copper and either zinc or tin, is the strongest and longest-lasting of any casket construction material known to man.

Copper is considered a precious metal and evidence of its longevity rests in the original copper roof and pipes existing in the world's great architectural gems. Copper has excellent resistance to corrosion and is one-third stronger than stainless steel.

Stainless steel is an alloy of carbon steel containing ten percent or more chromium. Nickel and other chemical elements are also used in the formulation of various types of stainless steel.

The long-lasting nature of metal combined with its affordability and performance make steel caskets one of the most popular selections.The range of colors from respectful blues, browns, blacks, and grays to peaceful pastels in purples, pinks, and blues makes each selection unique. Available in 18 and 20 gauge.

Cherry is a light, strong hardwood used to manufacture many types of products, including furniture, interiors, cabinetry, and as a decorative veneer. Cherry heartwood ranges from a deep, rich red to reddish brown, and will darken both with age and with exposure to natural light. Other types of wood caskets other than cherry are also available.

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Wood caskets are ideal for cremation. They are made of natural material that is befitting the nature-oriented or environmental concerns of many of the people who choose cremation. They are approved as a combustible container for the cremation chamber, as well. Wood caskets are available in many different types of wood, including cherry, mahogany, walnut, oak, ash, elm, maple, poplar and cottonwood.

Vaults

Burial vaults are used to surround the casket in the grave. In most areas of the country, state or local law does not require that you buy a burial vault or container... it is often a matter of preference. However, many cemeteries require that you have such a container so that the weight of the ground will not crush the casket below and cause the grave to sink in. In most cases, either a grave liner or burial vault will satisfy these requirements.

We have provided a few photos of some of the different types of burial vaults below. We deal exclusively with the Wilbert Vault Company, and there are more options available other than what you will see on this page. If you have any questions about burial containers, we urge you to contact a Behrens-Wilson representative and let us answer them for you.

Venetian®: This is the strongest single reinforced burial vault offered by Wibert Vault. It features an ABS plastic reinforcing base and cover at 4 times the impact strength of Strentex®, as well as a durable concrete exterior.

Bronze Triune®: This is the finest double reinforced Wilbert burial vault. It features a cover and base that are reinforced with high-impact ABS Trilon® and Bronze, a Bronze carapace and a 4500 PSI structural concrete exterior.

The Wilbert Bronze®: This is the strongest and finest vault that Wilbert offers, and it is the ONLY triple reinforced Wibert burial vault. It features a cover-reinforced, high-impact ABS interior that is bonded to a 9000 PSI concrete core. The base is reinforced with a high-impact ABS and bronze interior, and the exterior is made of ABS Marbelon® that is bonded to a 9000 PSI concrete core. Bronze is considered to be one of the finest materials for casket and vault construction.

Other Vault Styles

In addition to the vaults that are featued on this page, we also offer a modest selection of other vault styles. For cremation services, you may also choose from a selection of urn vaults with the same features, including appearance, that are included with the full-sized vaults. We also carry infant vault/casket combinations. Feel free to contact us for more information, or simply stop by and take a few moments to speak with one of our representatives.

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Urns

Cremation urns are made of many different types of materials, from bronze and copper to stainless steel to various species of hardwood. Vaults are available for urns, as well. We have provided a few photos of some of the different types of urns and cremation keepsakes below. If you have any questions about urns or any other types of burial containers, we urge you to contact a Behrens-Wilson representative and let us answer them for you.

Hardwood urns come in a wide variety of wood types, as do caskets. The different species include mahogany, walnut, cherry, oak, maple, and exotic woods. All wood urns offered through Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home are solid wood with no man-made fillers.

Strength, durability, and value are characteristics of stainless steel urns. Styles range from classic to contemporary. Stainless steel is known for its strength and durability. This type of steel is an alloy of iron, which contains more than 10% chromium. It is the chromium that forms the hard oxide coating on the surface, preventing oxidation and distinguishing it from other types of steel.

Bronze is a semi-precious metal used to produce high-quality cremation urns. The urns pictured here are cast bronze (pictured on top) and sheet bronze (pictured on bottom).

Cast Bronze is created by using a mold and is sandblasted to a smooth finish.

Sheet Bronze is sheared, bent, and welded to create the final product. Sheet bronze is available only with a satin finish, which makes these urns easy to engrave. Fabricated sheet bronze urns are very high quality and their method of manufacturing is extremely cost effective.

Some cloisonné styles are available in sets of five pieces (full-size urn, keepsake, candleholder, bud vase, and picture frame). In cloisonné manufacturing, the shape of the brass core is formed with a gentle hammering. An intricate design is then formed using copper wire netting, and colored enamel is bonded to the core and then fired in a kiln. The third step is repeated several times to enhance the beauty and durability of the design. The urn is gently hand-scored and polished for a smooth surface.

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Ceramic urns are made by forming ceramic powder into a desired shape at room temperature and then "firing" the mold in a kiln to harden it. The urn is then painted with a glaze and "fired" again. Using ceramic urns in a display adds color and variety; however, one drawback to ceramic is that it is easily broken.

Keepsakes

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Keepsake urns are smaller urns that hold a portion of the cremated remains. There are two types of keepsakes: jewelry and urns. They range in design from very simple to very detailed works of art. The concept behind the keepsake is to allow each family member to have a small amount of the cremated remains to create a personal memorial. This is particularly important when scattering is chosen as the method of final disposition for the cremated remains, or for families and friends separated by distance. Very often, keepsakes are sold in multiples, especially if there are several family members who are interested in having their own memorial to the deceased.