There are a few key reasons why the bottom half of caskets are traditionally kept closed during funeral viewings and services:
To keep the body concealed
The main purpose of keeping the lower half of the casket closed is to conceal the lower half of the deceased’s body from view. Seeing a loved one’s entire body after death can be very distressing for family and friends. Keeping the lower half covered provides a level of privacy and dignity.
For embalming limitations
Modern embalming practices are focused on preserving and restoring the face and upper body for viewing. The chemicals used often do not preserve the legs and feet as effectively. Keeping the lower half closed prevents exposing imperfections in these areas.
For a consistent appearance
With the lower body concealed, the deceased’s appearance is standardized in the casket – regardless of what they are wearing or how the embalming turned out. This allows the family’s final viewings to remain solemn and dignified.
History of Caskets Being Closed
The tradition of closing the lower half of caskets dates back to the early days of embalming and modern funeral services in the 19th century.
Early Embalming Methods
Early embalming techniques developed during the Civil War era focused on temporarily preserving soldiers’ bodies for transport home. Chemicals were often injected or applied only to the upper half of the body. Keeping the lower half closed hid the evidence of partial embalming.
Victorian Sensibilities
During the Victorian era, there was a heightened sensitivity to death and propriety. It was considered indecent to view a body below the waist. Closed caskets reflected these conservative values.
Rise of Funeral Homes
As funeral homes rose in popularity in the early 1900s, they marketed closed caskets as a way to conceal imperfections and add a sense of solemn dignity to funeral proceedings. The tradition took hold and became standard practice.
Why Full Body Caskets Aren’t Used
With the lower half of caskets closed, you may wonder why funeral homes don’t just use full body caskets. There are some practical reasons for this:
Extra Cost
Full body caskets would require more materials, craftsmanship, and labor to construct. This would increase costs significantly, making them inaccessible for many families.
Wastefulness
With the bottom half closed and unseen, a full body casket would waste materials and effort. Cremation caskets already utilize less material for this reason.
Weight
A full body casket would be heavier and bulkier, making maneuvering difficult. Lighter split caskets are easier to carry and transport.
Lack of Necessity
Since there is no need to view the lower half of the body, there is no purpose served by a full body casket. Following tradition, the split casket meets all viewing and handling needs.
Exceptions Where Full Body Caskets Are Used
While split caskets are the norm, there are some special scenarios where full body caskets are utilized:
Religious Traditions
Some faiths, like Judaism, call for full body caskets without any splits as part of religious burial customs. This ensures the entire body is buried together.
Special Requests
For personal reasons, some families may request their loved one be buried in a full body casket. This provides an extra level of enclosing the body underground.
Public Figures
High profile public figures are sometimes displayed and buried in full body caskets. This allows mourners viewing to pay respects to the entire body.
Oversized Caskets
For very tall or large bodies, a split casket may not be practical or available. A full body oversized casket is used to accommodate their measurements.
| Type of Casket | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Split Casket | More affordable, lighter weight, follows tradition, only upper body requires embalming | Does not allow mourners to view lower body |
| Full Body Casket | Allows full body viewing, meets religious customs, contains entire body underground | More expensive, heavier, unnecessary for most services |
Modern Trends
While the split casket with a closed lower half remains traditional, there are some changing practices around caskets:
Cremation Is Rising
As cremation rates rise, more basic cremation caskets are being used. These utilize less material and do not require viewing of the body.
Personalization Is Trending
Families today often opt for personalized caskets that reflect their loved one’s interests, hobbies, and personality. This provides mourners with a meaningful memorial.
Green Burial Is Gaining Popularity
Eco-friendly green burials are growing in popularity. This involves burying the body in a biodegradable casket or shroud. No protective bottom is needed underground.
Direct Burial Is Increasing
More families are electing for direct or immediate burial without any viewing. In these cases, caskets are purely functional for covering the body underground.
Conclusion
The longstanding tradition of closing the lower half of caskets has its roots in Victorian sensibilities and early embalming practices. It provides privacy and consistency in how the deceased is presented at their funeral service. While full body caskets are sometimes utilized, split caskets meet most families’ needs at an affordable price point. Moving forward, trends like cremation and green burial may diminish the need to hide the lower body in a casket altogether. However, the custom will likely carry on for traditional funerals in the future.