Purchasing Guidelines
Baby Caskets
(Burial Cradles, Baby Coffins)
Each casket was designed with an approximate age to guide your size choice. The suggested sizes:
Preemie Caskets are Preemie Burial Cradles for preemies in their first to second trimester.
Stillborn Caskets are Stillborn Burial Cradles for second to third trimester preemies and stillborn babies.
Newborn Caskets are Newborn Burial Cradles for newborn babies and smaller infants to two months old.
Infant Caskets are Infant Burial Cradles for infants from two months up to one year old.
The larger Burial Cradles should be given consideration if you are dealing with the loss of twin babies.
Remember that babies are generally in a fetal position, with their legs curled up. Every baby’s growth is unique; some are larger and some smaller. As you choose a casket, please keep this in mind for you may need to choose a smaller one or a larger one depending on your baby’s size.
Often loved ones wish to place a special blanket, toy, stuffed animal or religious object in the cradle. If this is important to you, the actual casket size you need will be larger, depending on the size of your baby plus those additional items to be included at the time of burial. A larger cradle will provide more room.
We recommend two pallbearers be used to carry the Infant and the Newborn Burial Cradles.. The hearts are not only decorative, but function as handles as well.
Preemie Urns are for preemies in the first to second trimester (8 Cubic Inches).
Baby Urns are for babies in the second to third trimester and up to stillborn (21 Cubic Inches).
Infant Urns are for stillborn and newborn babies and infants up to one year old (42 Cubic Inches).
Preemie Urns, Baby Urns, Infant Urns
Cradle Urns are made of wood and are urns for baby ashes.
The following sizes are available:
How to determine the proper urn size:
Urns are sized according to volume, in cubic inches. A simple rule to guide you is 1 pound = 1 cubic inch. For example, for 8 pounds you would need at least 8 cubic inches. It is always good to have more space in the urn than you need. Remember too that if a baby or child is cremated in a casket, you will receive back more ashes. For the smallest infant you would need to add on at least 5 cubic inches. Using the example above, 8 pounds plus 5 cubic inches extra to account for the casket would require at least 13 cubic inches so our Baby Urn (which is 22 cubic inches) would have plenty of room for the ashes.
By choosing a larger size urn, you will have sufficient room for tiny mementos such as a hospital bracelet for preemies and/or booties. With our Baby Urn and Infant Urn we provide for free a small white flannel bag for this purpose.
Baby Development Terminology:
Preemie refers to the development of the baby up until birth.
The first trimester of pregnancy is week 1 through week 12, or about 3 months.
The second trimester is week 13 to week 17.
The third trimester is week 28 to birth.
Newborn refers to babies from birth to two months of age.
Infants are from 2 months to one year old.
Stillbirth is the natural end to a pregnancy after 20 to 28 weeks of life.
Guidelines to remember when purchasing a casket outside of a funeral home:
According to the Federal Trade Commission,
• Funeral homes are not allowed to charge a handling fee if a casket is purchased elsewhere. • They cannot refuse or ask for a receipt if a casket is purchased elsewhere. • A disclaimer or waiver must be signed by the family. • Funeral directors and personnel may not slander the company from where your casket was purchased.
Tips on Choosing a Baby Casket
Many times, you will only have a day or two to select a baby coffin. When selecting a casket, you may not remember everything you normally would, in pat because of the emotions involved in the entire funeral planning process. If this is true for you, have a family member or close friend help you in the selection process.
If you working with a funeral director, they can help you with decisions involving any contracts that may need to be signed. You should also write down any questions or concerns you may think of before you go to the funeral home.
End View of Cradle
Laying Your Baby to Rest
Losing a baby is the worst thing a parent can ever experience. If the burden of grief can be lessened by being knowledgeable about your casket purchase, then your road to healing will be that much smoother.
Burial and Cremation Laws in Your State
Each state has laws affecting what happens to a body after death. For example, most states have unique rules about embalming, burial or cremation, scattering ashes, and how to get a death certificate. It is also important that you check with the cemetery you choose for interment; it may have rules requiring a certain type of container.
Further, local governments may have additional rules governing private burials. Before burying a body or scattering ashes on private land or establishing a family cemetery, you should check county and city zoning rules.
For burial and cremation laws in your state, visit: Burial and Cremation Laws
Copyright © Heartfelt Ltd 2016-
585 Shenandoah Drive Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 970-
Heartfelt Ltd. Burial Products
Heartfelt Ltd. Burial Products
