For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ, all shall be made alive.

~1 Corinthians 15:22 NKJV

Each cross is indvidually handcrafted by a skilled artisan using fine quality wood.

Holy Assumption Monastery is pleased to offer inscriptions on your loved one's casket.

The sisterhood hand-woodburns the inscription directly onto the wood.  Irregularities in the lettering may occur.  The irregularities are due to the uneven grain of the wood, which are also part of the beauty of the inscription.  Please be aware that the grain of the wood differs from casket to casket.

Pricing for a standard inscription is $100. 

We offer two standard inscriptions, as follows:

Option A: "Grant rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed servant" (pictured)

Option B: "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"

Pricing for a custom inscription begins at $150. 

A non-refundable deposit in the amount of $350 is required prior to start of work.  This deposit will be applied towards the purchase price of the casket.

Casket Specifications

• The wood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
  • FSC-Certified wood essentially means that the material used is sustainable
• Fine solid pine veneer
• Sturdy solid pine handles secured to casket with a small amount of hardware
• Removable flat two-part lid secured to casket with oil-rubbed bronzed pins
• Simple poly-cotton blend fabric lining, mattress and pillow
• Includes cross of your choice (pictured in the Casket Crosses section on this webpage)
• Dimensions
  • Exterior: 81.5" long x 28.5" widest point (includes handles) x 16.5" highest point (includes cross)
  • Interior: 78.5" long x 23" wide x 14" deep

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Long-Term Storage

• Suggested Long-Term Storage Conditions (pdf)

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Orthodox Christian End-Of-Life Resources

• A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition (book)
• Orthodox Christian end-of-life resources now available including preparation documents (below) published with the approval and blessing of The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America.  (webpage)
  
  • A Gift For My Loved Ones (pdf):  This package contains everything necessary to know should one become disabled or incapacitated and unable to make decisions on one’s own.  It includes a Health Care Power of Attorney and Advance Directive for Health Care—Living Will.
  • Another Gift For My Loved Ones (pdf):  This package contains everything necessary to know to arrange a burial and funeral—an Advance Directive for Funeral Care.

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The FTC Funeral Rule

• Your rights under the Funeral Rule
  • "You may provide the funeral home with a casket or urn you buy elsewhere.  The funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket or urn you bought online, at a local casket store, or somewhere else -- or charge you a fee to do it.  The funeral home cannot require you to be there when the casket or urn is delivered to them."
• Funeral Costs and Pricing Checklist
• Types of Funerals
• Choosing a Funeral Provider
• Buying a Cemetery Site
• Planning Your Own Funeral
• Funeral Terms and Contact Information
• Complying with The Funeral Rule

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Suggested Reading

• The Service of a Funeral in the Orthodox Church (brochure)

• Life After Death:  According to the Orthodox Tradition (book)
• Memory Eternal:  Living with Grief as Orthodox Christians (book)
• The Departure of the Soul:  According to the Teaching of the Orthodox Church, Master Reference Edition (book)
• The Departure of the Soul:  According to the Teaching of the Orthodox Church, Reader's Edition (book)
• The Mystery of Christ:  Life in Death (book)
• When My Baba Died (children's book)

• THEM BONES, THEM BONES, THEM DRY BONES:  Modern American Burial Practices in Light of Orthodox Theology of the Body; presentation by Fr. John Finley on June 5, 2011 (audio)