A novel technique for the fabrication of a casket dome lid from, for example, Smooth-One-Side (S1S) hardboard is disclosed. The invention is also directed to the fabrication of a casket lid which has a domed configuration both in the lateral and longitudinal directions of the lid. The method comprises the steps of providing a lid blank having a first end, second end, and a central region; providing a pair of diagonal voids oriented at corners of the first end of said blank and extending inward toward the central region; placing the lid blank in a vacuum fixture; and flexing the lid blank into a domed configuration via the vacuum fixture, such that the blank is domed in both a longitudinal and a transverse direction.

An apparatus for supporting a deceased includes a casket and a panel. The casket fits the dimensions of a human deceased, and includes bottom and side panels. The panel is disposed in the casket, and includes a head portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of hinges. The head portion contacts a head end of the casket. The bottom portion is coupled to the casket bottom. The hinges are disposed between the head portion and the bottom portion of the panel. The panel is movable between first and second configurations using the hinges. In the first configuration the panel is configured to support at least a portion of the human deceased at a first distance from the casket bottom, and in the second configuration at least the portion of the human deceased is spaced closer to the casket bottom. The first distance is greater than the second distance.

An interment system, includes: (a) at least one desiccation vessel for storing remains of a decedent who has not been cremated; (b) a plurality of memorial suites configured to house the at least one desiccation vessel, each of which includes a storage area for the at least one desiccation vessel, a living area, a vertically-oriented tribute wall separating the storage area from the living area, and an HVAC unit, which is configured to adjust at least one of a temperature, a pressure and a humidity within the at least one desiccation vessel to adjust a rate of desiccation; (c) a processor configured to securely store and share decedent data. The at least one desiccation vessel is sufficiently light, durable, and air-tight such that the at least one desiccation vessel with the decedent contained therein can be easily relocated without the need for special vehicles or trained personnel.

An interment system, includes: (a) at least one desiccation vessel for storing remains of a decedent who has not been cremated; (b) a plurality of memorial suites configured to house the at least one desiccation vessel, each of which includes a storage area for the at least one desiccation vessel, a living area, a vertically-oriented tribute wall separating the storage area from the living area, and an HVAC unit, which is configured to adjust at least one of a temperature, a pressure and a humidity within the at least one desiccation vessel to adjust a rate of desiccation; (c) a processor configured to securely store and share decedent data. The at least one desiccation vessel is sufficiently light, durable, and air-tight such that the at least one desiccation vessel with the decedent contained therein can be easily relocated without the need for special vehicles or trained personnel.

An article for receiving a body of an animal and a method for containing fluid released from a body of an animal are disclosed. The article includes an absorbent layer having an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side, wherein the absorbent layer is configured to be placed proximate to the body to absorb fluid released from the body; a liquid impermeable sheet attached to the outer side of the absorbent layer and configured to prevent the fluid released from the body from seeping through the liquid impermeable sheet; and an outer layer attached to the liquid impermeable sheet. At least the outer layer is configured to form an outer pouch to contain the body. The outer layer includes closure means configured to secure the body within the outer pouch.

Caskets, cap panel assemblies for a casket, and methods for manufacturing cap panel assemblies are described. A casket may include a casket shell, at least one casket cap pivotally mounted on the casket shell, and a cap panel assembly mounted in the at least one casket cap. The cap panel assembly may include a cap panel, a puffing member attached to each edge of the cap panel, a cap panel insert positioned in-line with the cap panel, and a plurality of resilient members positioned on a front face of the cap panel insert. The plurality of resilient members may be tensioned, for example, to hold keepsakes, memorabilia, or other types of objects on or in the cap panel insert. The cap panel insert can include a mounting bracket or a screw and wire assembly for mounting the cap panel insert on a wall.

Caskets, cap panel assemblies for a casket, and methods for manufacturing cap panel assemblies are described. A casket may include a casket shell, at least one casket cap pivotally mounted on the casket shell, and a cap panel assembly mounted in the at least one casket cap. The cap panel assembly may include a cap panel, a puffing member attached to each edge of the cap panel, a cap panel insert positioned in-line with the cap panel, and a plurality of resilient members positioned on a front face of the cap panel insert. The plurality of resilient members may be tensioned, for example, to hold keepsakes, memorabilia, or other types of objects on or in the cap panel insert. The cap panel insert can include a mounting bracket or a screw and wire assembly for mounting the cap panel insert on a wall.

A casket assembly includes a base, and first and second fabric sheets. The base includes a bottom panel, first and second side panels, and first and second end panels. The base has a length and a width sized and adapted to receive a deceased. The first fabric sheet is operably coupled to the base such that the first fabric sheet extends along and adjacent to an inside surface of the first side panel and an edge of the first fabric sheet is movable. The first fabric sheet is sized and coupled to substantially cover a width of the bottom panel. The second fabric sheet is operably coupled to the base such that the second fabric sheet extends along and adjacent to an inside surface of the second side panel and an edge of the second fabric sheet is movable. The second fabric sheet is sized to substantially cover the width of the bottom panel.

Disclosed is a system and method for accessing a burial vault after burying the burial vault to place remains of a second individual within the burial vault.

Disclosed is a system and method for accessing a burial vault after burying the burial vault to place remains of a second individual within the burial vault.