How Does a Casket Lock? - Just Give Me 2 Minutes

How does a casket lock? Kari the Mortician shows you the difference between a wooden and metal casket and the locking mechanisms. Check it out!
Here is more info on a casket key:
• 2 Minutes on Casket Keys
‪@KaritheMortician‬
[e-mail]

[@aaronsaunders6974]

that casket key is so cool

[@insomniac2233]

I’ve always wondered about that. I’m guessing that’s enough to seal the casket. It seems like there would be more to sealing. I used to run plastic sheet to make casket liners,and the extruded seals. The other line operators thought it was creepy-I thought it was cool! That’s why I’m here. It’s all very interesting. God bless you Kari,and have a great day!

[@xxpgh412xx]

3 hours ago? Where you from buddy? I live in Pittsburgh Pa

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@Dutillac01]

@@xxpgh412xx me too! East Liberty here.

[@xxpgh412xx]

@@Dutillac01 haha I live in north braddock

[@anthonyjyearwood816]

Ms. Northey, you always manage to put the fun back in funeral. lol Seriously, your vids are very informative despite the fact that I already know a great deal about things funerary. When was young I wanted to be an undertaker (I'm dating myself here) while other kids wanted to be doctors, nurses, policemen or firefighters. I used to "embalm" my toy soldiers in Elmer's glue and place them in small jewelry boxes with cotton (always full-couch which I prefer). More lol. I can still remember one particular undertaker in Harlem NYC who wore a pale grey morning coat with cravat and white gloves while presiding at funerals. And women wearing veils. Those were the days! Yet more lol.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you! That is awesome!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

😂😂😆😆 "Fun back in funeral"

[@marccanales2630]

I love how thorough you, Kari, have always been in your presentations. I have learned so much from you. In regards to casket keys, have they always been that design? In other words a coffin today would use that design of latching, turning, etc. How about a coffin from let's say 1973...one from 1960, 1940, etc? If different, I would like to see a video on maybe the history of coffin keys...til then, can you tell me more, please?

[@KaritheMortician]

The key is always the same and universal

[@PuffleFuzz]

I had no idea you could lock caskets. This is oddly satisfying

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks

[@jamesoestrike2517]

Another nicely-explained lesson! Thank you for sharing!

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you liked it!

[@568843daw]

Who knew? Super presentation and very informative. Bravo, you hit it out of the park! Thank you.

[@KaritheMortician]

Wow, thank you!

[@jamesholt7612]

That's awesome. I hope you have a wonderful week.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you! You too!

[@BLESSEDKID90]

You are very informative! Great channel and videos.

[@KaritheMortician]

I appreciate that!

[@lissajedi]

I remember learning this on a field trip to a funeral home back in 1986 (9th grade). We visited the casket room, learned about vaults, and even went in the embalming room(no deceased) and learned the basics of embalming. That was the coolest field trip ever! Helped a lot when my dad passed in 1997, I wasn't scared about going to make arrangements.

[@KaritheMortician]

Very nice thanks

[@ghosty426]

I had to go on a class field trip to a well known large funeral home in our area for a Senior Course called "Death and Dying" Personally, I didn't look forward to that class trip, even though we held two viewings of my Grandparents in our own home back in the 70s. They were embalmed at the Funeral Home and brought to the house. Everything turned out well. It was hard to sleep at night knowing there was a casket and a deceased Grandparent downstairs. And some idiot in the family really gave me an adrenaline surge when they dropped something heavy downstairs in the early morning. All I could envision was the casket tipped off the pedestal. Aside from that, the field trip introduced the class to the Preparation Room, drainage table, assorted scalpels, aneurism hooks, eye caps and trocar buttons and of course, the big old trocar itself. The kids afraid of needles didn't stop talking about that trocar all the way back to school on the bus. But my spidey senses were tingling on that field trip. I knew somehow, they had a case in one of the viewing rooms, and so, I had a personal policy not to attend viewings or funerals or visit cemeteries well into adulthood until I figured things out.

[@noneyayeast]

Not really the same but kinda maybe a little bit. So i was kinda a wild teenager and got caught drinking at a party when I was 16 and the courts made us go to a class every friday night for almost a year. And part of that class was we had to go to a funeral home and tour it but also plan our own funeral as if we had been killed due to our underage drinking. It was pretty intense to say the least.

[@timw8228]

I believe the same casket key is used to lock/unlock the memory drawer also as I recall the FH Director using it so I could put items into my mother's casket drawer. I was thinking the vault also had a drawer but I don't remember seeing at the cemetery. Under the cemetery tent there was somehow some sunlight that just hit the cross on the vault carapace just right to illuminate it. Someone happened to photograph it and gave me the photo. Even the copper vault lining looked like it was lit up.

[@KaritheMortician]

No the vault does not have a drawer

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

Mornin' Kari. Hope your week is starting off good. Stay safe Hun

[@KaritheMortician]

Good morning!

[@alanwalker7265]

Thanks, this was a very interesting one. 👍

[@KaritheMortician]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@franknovotney1712]

Thanks for your upbeat attitude. No matter what happens we are all going that way so you might as well be upbeat

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you

[@sg2823]

Of course the wood casket was not gasketed, because wood will warp, and would breach over time. I learned that from you! Thanks Keri!

[@KaritheMortician]

Yeah!!

[@squalli1297]

Casket keys are also used to raise & lower mattresses-some models may have a tilting feature. The key was usually kept under the pillow. Sometimes it was "missing" after viewing hours, but we've always kept an extra around. I would ask families if they wanted to keep the boxed key after the service as a memento. Closing & locking caskets for the final time with families present was emotional.

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes they are!

[@pattipowell7788]

Thank you Kari for always posting information we world never know otherwise!! Knowledge is an amazing thing. I hope you and your family have a blessed beyond measure week🦋

[@KaritheMortician]

You are so welcome!

[@allentoyokawa9068]

Always wanted to know why they turn the key so much on a sealer casket. now I know!

[@KaritheMortician]

Yeah! Thanks!!

[@TonyThomas10000]

Thanks for showing us that. I remember when the funeral director locked my Dad's casket. I think it was a Batesville metal casket.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you for sharing

[@margaretlaycock42]

Love knowing how everything works,thank you ... 🙂

[@KaritheMortician]

You are so welcome!

[@margaretlaycock42]

Me,wanting to know what goes on in a funeral home ... NEVER! nothing much I used to think ... wow was I wrong ... Questions I had about my son's body I looked on the internet ... Thank you so much for being you with that Respirator on ... drew me to look at what you had to say about it ... 👍

[@leewhite-graham753]

Hilarious on the lock noise. 🔐 Would be funny if it did make that sound. Thanks for another informative post. 💙

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks!

[@jeanaesamuel47]

Awesome viseo!!! Always wanted to know how to do this and why. Cool beans

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks for watching!

[@MaryClareVideos]

Good morning Kari 🐾👋😺

[@KaritheMortician]

Happy Tuesday!

[@roseoakes411]

Very interested Kari

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@EricFortuneJr.]

I used to question these, but I guess they make sense since so many people are buried with their wedding rings, watches and even cash. I guess it can be locked in between viewings. Something I've noticed at funeral homes is people can just walk right in off the streets. It's usually a family member or someone close doing the stealing.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you!

[@jackbacker3722]

Dakota Poplar---A best seller in TN!

[@KaritheMortician]

Awesome!

[@curtistinemiller4646]

You explain everything very well,I have been watching and learning quite a bit,at my daughter's funeral,the funeral personel never closed the casket,I thought at funerals the casket is Closed ..Do they do this at the funeral of a child only?..

[@KaritheMortician]

It depends on the requests of the family and such

[@randyfritz2094]

Kari Did you get the video on the homemade casket that dumped in at a Harrisburg, Oregon cemetery with a body in it. It was reported just recently, on the local tv news.

[@KaritheMortician]

I did receive the video about it

[@BulletNoseBetty]

That casket key would also be used to raise and lower the bed. I have a key that folds up and you can keep it in your jacket pocket.

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes correct

[@maryboone903]

My grandsons little casket bhelched out loud when the funeral home attendenent locked his .He said it done that because it was a air tight casket.

[@KaritheMortician]

Sort of like a tupperware burp maybe

[@PatrickJDoyle-bw3fu]

Notice that there's a tube on the end of the casket, ones for the casket key, the other one is for the death certificate

[@zombiemom6701]

I want to know how the mechanism works that lowers the bed so the lid can be closed.

[@47of74]

Do all wooden caskets lock or are there some that don't lock? I do remember my great uncle who was buried in a Trappist Casket. It was one where the upper half of the lid came completely off and was screwed on. The FD used a plain power screwdriver to screw that part of the lid on, with the rest being done before the wake.

[@KaritheMortician]

I believe they all lock, but I'll want to double check that. Thanks for asking.

[@thomashill4683]

Beautiful lady with awesome videos

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you kindly

[@kathyhuntley5214]

Hi Kari, for some reason I thought I remembered hearing tumblers drop to the bottom of my fiancée casket when it was locked. I however was highly medicated at the time so, I really don't know. I would ask my parents because they were there with me but, they have both since passed and I wasn't in the room when their caskets were closed and locked. Please clear this foggy memory up for me. Thank you!

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@n4pwx]

I also have a casket key. Yours looks nicer. I even have a plastic one.

[@KaritheMortician]

The metal ones are a bit sturdier

[@susanouellette2700]

Hi Kari, I hope I didn't miss your live, when do you have them

[@KaritheMortician]

Today at 4 PM est I will be live

[@davidmckinney6577]

Hello good morning 🌄🌞 Kari I was wondering about the metal caskets that the little piece comes across the little metal piece at the top of the lid I've seen funeral directions one will go and stand in the middle of the Casket while the other one is at the end cranking away is that to Make sure they both grab on the piece that comes and want I really want to know I've saw them crank them several times is that to make the lid crank tighter against the seal?

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes I always put pressure on it to make sure it seals tight

[@drewwise5966]

Looks like you could use a screwdriver extension or a an extension for a wrench if needed

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes you could

[@squalli1297]

It's basically an Allen wrench with a bigger handle ergonomically designed for easier turning.

[@allexx123]

Do casket rubber gaskets get ruined over time just sitting and not locked shut? I have a metal casket in my attic now for 15 years and it gets hot and cold up there.

[@KaritheMortician]

They may

[@gregdiiamond3899]

I’d always wondered how that was done. Of my grandparents and parent only one grandmother was buried in a casket. They made us leave the room while the casket was closed ànd locked. Is this usually done when the casket is closed Kari?

[@randyfritz2094]

Greg Diamond You should have been able to stay and witnessed that casket being closed and locked...They may have the immediate family leave if someone requested not to witness that, sometimes family feels its too hard to watch that being done.

[@KaritheMortician]

Some places do that. I encourage families to stay with me

[@loripatterson7882]

If they made You leave, that sounds very suspect to me.

[@stevejarrettnc]

@@KaritheMortician I knew when they asked us to leave the room, I remembered thinking, "that will be the last time the light hits my mother's face...." I don't think I could have watched it.

[@charlotteehrhart9922]

My daughter and I stayed and watched the casket of my father-in-law be locked. We were not asked to leave. I appreciated that.

[@susanouellette2700]

Hi Kari, it's me again,lol I have a question, if a person wants to have a viewing before being creamated would they rent a casket for their service,

[@KaritheMortician]

They can purchase or rent, and it usually falls in the same price range

[@lindatenga6195]

Susan, I’ll buy one, then you can use it after I’m cremated.

[@shaf3006]

No mechanism that let it to be open from inside ?

[@9983sp]

Ever forgotten to lock the casket? They did with my dad. Even started losing him in to the grave before I stopped them and let them know.

[@KaritheMortician]

Nope

[@alleycat1117]

Is there a crank to raise and lower the head? Do they only lock from the foot end of the casket?

[@randyfritz2094]

Alleycat The same caket key is used on a hole which is positioned at the head and footend of side piece of the casket ( it is near the back of the casket lid). I think this is correct for a metal casket, on a wood casket it would be found at the same head and footend piece, but to the front of the lid of the casket.

[@KaritheMortician]

In some caskets there are

[@dawnmontgomery5180]

Do those caskets costs more?

[@desireeb4278]

Does every casket automatically come with one or do you just have a few that you use for all?

[@KaritheMortician]

No it does not

[@dawnmontgomery5180]

I had that same question

[@47of74]

I can imagine you'd have a whole room full of used keys if each casket came with a key.

[@marieegachie5590]

Do urns have the same structure or is it a simple twist

[@KaritheMortician]

either screws or a lid that screws on

[@dawnmplayer]

Thanks for that very interesting. Are you locking ppl in, or keeping ppl out?. 😉

[@KaritheMortician]

Both maybe...

[@allexx123]

Kari the Mortician, when would a casket not be locked? For what reasons are there?

[@KaritheMortician]

THere really is no reasoning. When flying we do not tighten all the way for pressure reasons

[@levinolan636]

Good morning

[@KaritheMortician]

Happy Tuesday!

[@sharontallo7267]

Interesting

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks!

[@janetwhite2039]

If caskets ..when they are in a cement/metal vault,and have a top on them..why do they need to get locked ?

[@KaritheMortician]

No accidents during the transport

[@joncampos5551]

Are those components rust free in case an exhumation is done later?

[@KaritheMortician]

Nothing is full proof

[@gibbi125]

For what reason would anyone need or want to lock a casket?

[@KaritheMortician]

prevent an accident

[@jacquelineroundtree7541]

Sorry misspelling of Mausoleum

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@Tristi2tone]

Is the casket locked to keep someone out? Or keep something in? I find it strange.

[@KaritheMortician]

any accidents from happening

[@kimglass4851]

What is the reason for locking when u are 6ft under and encased in a vault? Is it just a precaution of gas build up and this way the lid wont blow off?

[@KaritheMortician]

Locking is more so that they don't fall out

[@kimglass4851]

@@KaritheMortician fall out? U mean if they were dropped some how? That just sounds funny to me 😂 How will they fall out?

[@D38401]

@@kimglass4851 basically when they are being moved. Either by human or lift. If something happens. The body would stay in. Verse it falling out. If your carrying a casket up hill. And you fall and lose gurp. If not looked. The body could fall out.

[@kimglass4851]

@@D38401 Gotcha! Thank u very much 😀

[@auntjosie756]

Perfect example of why locking is done. My father was being moved out of the Funeral home into the hearse by pall bearers and the had to go down 5 steps. Well 1 guy fell and dropped his side then the casket slid down the steps. Thankfully he didn't fall out but it could have happened

[@biarritz84]

If a living person was locked inside a metal casket & the reason I'm asking because years ago on WWE the Undertaker put the Ultimate Warrior in a metal casket & Paul Bearer who was a real life Mortician locked the casket & they were drilling holes in the casket & using crowbars to pry open the casket lid & I wonder if they had drilled holes in the bottom of it or if there was enough air in the casket for them to complete the stunt? I know it's an unusual question but I'm just curious as to how they might have pulled that off on TV.

[@KaritheMortician]

It may not have been sealed for it

[@biarritz84]

@@KaritheMortician Oh ok, thanks

[@susancallahan6732]

Why do you close. The casket casket

[@levinolan636]

So I hope this question doesn't sound weird but do you or are you afraid of death. How do you feel about mortality. I love your videos Kerry. I ask this because you are in the industry. Thank you

[@KaritheMortician]

Terrified of it!

[@levinolan636]

@@KaritheMortician wow ,you really are honestly terrified of dying? Why I am curious. Please share why and I can tell you I'm afraid only because I think, who will teach my kids. Who will watch out for them. I must say I do not like cremation. The reason is just like when the angels went and protected Moses body from Satan. We ,our bodies go through so much in our lives. Our body is a testament to our existence.

[@ghosty426]

If you buy one of these caskets brand new from Walmart or Costco or Amazon, you should get the Universal Key that goes with it too. Don't let them short you the Key. 😢

[@KaritheMortician]

Okay thanks

[@ghosty426]

@@KaritheMortician Have you had any requests that the Case be enclosed in the casket with an extra casket key just in case??

[@reneehallford8915]

Works like a freezer lock

[@KaritheMortician]

Yes :)

[@waynetraube4853]

You'll never get out why lock it especially if you're a paupar. doesn't take long for the worms and maggots and the ground water to get into your casket. Also many insects in the summertime can seep their way in to eat on the body.

[@KaritheMortician]

In case it drops so they don't roll out

[@janbellflower6361]

Damn your up early are late. It's 4:02 am here.

[@KaritheMortician]

It was scheduled to post :)

[@DonaldCarrollrepairman2u]

I cant help but being in love with you......question is why do you lock casket, they are not going to get out ? 💋

[@KaritheMortician]

avoids a possible situation if the casket falls

[@steve4iu453]

How would I get out of the casket if someone locked me in?

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@jaycormack4118]

I thought that too kari

[@luispalacios4638]

Solo falta que le pongan clima para que no se acalore el muerto y su pantalla de tv y

[@joncampos5551]

1:06. What is that little sheet for?

[@KaritheMortician]

It is the casket paperwork like the warranty and pricing

[@joncampos5551]

@@KaritheMortician “Your loved ones chances of coming back to life are only guaranteed for one year from date of embalming.” Lol

[@xxpgh412xx]

I don’t wanna be locked in one when I die 😂

[@KaritheMortician]

Thank you

[@stevejarrettnc]

Ok - we'll just dump you in the hole? Not sure what the lock is all about anyway. If someone wanted to dig up a 250 pound casket that's locked in a 500 pound vault (or however much they weigh) - then they could get in the casket if they wanted to. That lock's not going to stop them.....

[@xxpgh412xx]

@@stevejarrettnc no don’t just dump my body in the hole: I don’t want my body to not be restricted. Seems too cramped to be in a casket or In the dirt. Let me rot out in the open somewhere for eternity

[@lsaanaconda1]

i want a deadbolt lock on my casket

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@denniscahill734]

Wow I can’t believe you don’t have a cup of coffee on your other hand. Too early in the am

[@KaritheMortician]

lol

[@francisjohnson665]

I interesting.

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks!

[@Creativeme757]

Why lock them? I don’t like the idea of it bc it doesn’t help my fear of being buried alive

[@KaritheMortician]

Avoid an accident

[@glenperry9048]

Why lcck a casket? There is little chance of the person inside will be trying to get out.

[@KaritheMortician]

no it is more in case of an accident

[@nxnxnx800]

We gave you 3:36 but you're worth it 👌

[@KaritheMortician]

lol thanks!!

[@davidmiller6981]

Should use a Skeleton key

[@KaritheMortician]

:)

[@bruceliggett8036]

Whyyy?? would a casket need to be locked?? Are Urns locked too? 🤔

[@KaritheMortician]

You can seal an urn with glue

[@BostonSteve922]

I never understood the necessity of a casket needing to have a lock

[@KaritheMortician]

I think mostly in case it drops it won't open and have the deceased roll out

[@tammyheatherly6842]

Why do they need locked

[@KaritheMortician]

prevent an accident

[@mariannemonagle3310]

Show them how to lower and raise the bed if adjustable. Darn that’s a long key

[@KaritheMortician]

ok

[@jacquelineroundtree7541]

I'm curious to know why do they have to lock a casket when it's going into a volt and under ground or in a moralism or in a wall is so that the body can't get out? Lol I'm just kidding sorry But is it for protection from grave robbers and any other reasons why they lock a casket?

[@KaritheMortician]

No its more for transport in case of falling

[@susiecallahan4250]

why u need to lock casket

[@D38401]

To seal the casket. Also so it doesn't pop open when being moved.

[@KaritheMortician]

To seal it or to keep any accidents from happening

[@tebogotebzmuchena4464]

Eish

[@KaritheMortician]

?

[@tebogotebzmuchena4464]

I have always been wondering hey..I am glad someone asked. Thanks Kari..

[@margaretlaycock42]

Oops

[@denniscahill734]

But first coffee

[@KaritheMortician]

Always

[@bryocx]

Growing up the in a third world country they would nail the coffin ⚰️ or use a padlock. I wonder what they did with the key

[@KaritheMortician]

Interesting question...

[@tittyfarm]

A hot mortician is twice is hot.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

😂😂😂😆😆😆 What a cheap looking setup, Laud haf murcy no wonder these things pop open in harse weather in some areas, I think I'm gonna have a home >>DEAD

[@KaritheMortician]

Thanks for the view