What was Costco thinking....?????

i had heard they were going to sell caskets. i was just in my local costco but no caskets there yet.

Oh, I'm pretty sure they don't sell these in any of the stores. It's just for online sales I think. It doesn't make sense to put caskets in a store where kids are bound to be. IMO that's just poor marketing..I would not bring kids to a place where caskets are sold. They don't need to see those things IRL. :rolleyes:
 
Seriously! It solves *most* of the problems people face with funeral homes. Not all, by any means, but most!

Costco sells around 1000-1300 for something we would probably sell at 2000+. You could probably get something really nice for 1500-1800 even. There are some places that will try to match prices, but it's almost impossible. Funeral homes differ on markup, but wherever I have worked, it's the same as any other retail establishment. That is a point I'll argue! I think about the markup I spend on purses and it probably has nothing on a moderately priced funeral home's caskets!

Ah, thank you for the information. Not that I'll need to worry about it anytime soon, but it's been ten years since I took that tour and I know prices have changed.

Sometimes that requires a little leg work, although I think most funeral homes know they need to be competitive. Just like any other sort of place, there are funeral homes that cater to the more wealthy. These will be in cities or neighborhoods where higher prices are more acceptable. Hopefully, along with these higher prices you will find that the staff may look exceptionally professional (we all are professional, but if you see the guys in the super nice Brooks Brothers suits, there might be a different sort of clientele around), the decor will be newer/fancier etc etc.

I would advise people to not just stick with the closest or most-used-by-your-family funeral home. If you try one or two other places, you may find it is worthwhile to go elsewhere. That in no way means the most-used-by-your-family place isn't the best--having history somewhere never hurts, especially if you have found people that you feel comfortable dealing with. If you look around, you are less likely to feel taken advantage of.

And more on topic, Costco caskets are some of the least expensive metal caskets you will find.

This was one of the things I was concerned with when I went to this particular funeral home when Dave was dying... the guy's suit probably cost more than the car I was driving. The place was HUGE! Of course, they'd been around almost since this town was founded, about 1860. Up until about 7 years ago, there was no competition for them at ALL. We needed at least one more and one that catered more towards the lower income people. Luckily now we have two that fall into the category, one is spealizing in helping the large Hispanic population here.

^^ completely agree - and it is great to have had the conversation in advance - it gives you the confidence to pick out the cheapest one on the rail (and not feel worried that you are being disrespectful to the person who had died - ..)

Jessica Mitford's American Way of Death is a really good read...

BTW - I just did a google on cardboard coffins. When I first heard about them about 4 years ago they cost less that $100 with shipping - now they are available at over $1000 - with pillows and lining etc.

Anyway - thats what I'm having - and I'll provide Sharpies so that people can scribble on my casket.. (to the tune of My Way in the background - just kidding). Seems a bit more authentic to me...

I've read this book! It's great! In fact, I think I just stored my copy in the spare room the other day! I agree, it's a great read.

I've also seen a "casket-painting party" for one of the cardboard caskets. As I recall, the person who it was for had terminal cancer and she wanted her friends to come over and personalize it with paints, markers and doo dads. Wish I had a picture of it, it came out so cool.

Oh, I'm pretty sure they don't sell these in any of the stores. It's just for online sales I think. It doesn't make sense to put caskets in a store where kids are bound to be. IMO that's just poor marketing..I would not bring kids to a place where caskets are sold. They don't need to see those things IRL. :rolleyes:

While I agree with you that kids don't need to see caskets on display in a store like say, Plasma TV's, seeing a casket in an appropriate area shouldn't be a big deal. Death is, after all, as natural and normal as life. I think even young children, if they ask, could be told what one is for, provided the teacher also explains that they won't need one for a long, long time. Heck, they see murder and mayhem on TV every day... soft porn pictures advertising everything from shaving cream to body lotion. They are not as naive as we were as children!
 
I love the cardboard casket sharpie idea, but it is really rare for me to sell one. More often for children/teens. I have had metal ones picked up and taken to custom paint places to get all sorts of crazy art though. Think Harley without wheels :tup:

I have seen parts of caskets on display at Costco--it is common to have "cuts" of caskets instead of the entire thing, even in funeral homes. People don't like caskets and the idea was that it would be an easier thing to see (as well as save room).
 
I saw a show on the Discovery channel about the family owned business who makes the caskets for Costco. It was pretty interesting. I don't know anything about casket making, but it seemed like they put a lot of care and quality into their product. The company is called Universal Casket and they are located in MI.
 
Ew!

I would lmao if somebody actually bought that in a store :roflmfao:
Why exactly would you laugh your ass off? It's quite the same as one purchasing the casket at the funeral home. The only difference is the location of purchase. Think about how many cultures do "crazy" things to their family after death. Now, if you are able to save some money, on something that costs THOUSANDS of dollars, and yet, still of a memorable remembrance of your family member, why the hell not, I say. Death happens to the richest and the poorest. But both may have the same respect towards their elders to give the proper burial services and the best "death bed".
 
Ew!

I would lmao if somebody actually bought that in a store :roflmfao:

Death is a part of life and whether we like to think about it or not, it's always best to plan ahead when the situation does arise so we don't leave the burden on our family. It's not uncommon for people to plan their own funeral arrangments.

I dont think it's strange that Costco sells caskets. They actually do sell everything.

They even sell T3 hair stylers, GHD stylers, Smashbox makeup, Bare Essentials, and Shisiedo products just to name a few. And the best part of it all, you can return it with no questions asked if you're unhappy.

:tup: to Costco.
 
And the best part of it all, you can return it with no questions asked if you're unhappy.

:tup: to Costco.

::comes back from the grave and goes to customer service::: ..."You know, this casket isn't all that comfortable. I'd like to return it and purchase your platinum version with the tempurepedic cushioning."
:yahoo:
 
I start my residency (funeral director) in like a month and you should be happy that costco sells caskets.,................. because the markup price on caskets can be crazy... well her in NYC it is
 
Oh, I'm pretty sure they don't sell these in any of the stores. It's just for online sales I think. It doesn't make sense to put caskets in a store where kids are bound to be. IMO that's just poor marketing..I would not bring kids to a place where caskets are sold. They don't need to see those things IRL. :rolleyes:

Actually, in my local costco, they do! :lol: And it's not like they were recently put there in the open or anything, they've been displayed in the area where the checkers look at your groceries and receipts on the way out!