Abbey Caskets

09/04/2026

A small inscription with a profound meaning.

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of an Abbey Casket or urn is a small engraved tag placed on each one. It is inscribed with a line from the "Rule of St. Benedict":

“May He bring us all together to everlasting life.”

This simple inscription reflects the heart of Benedictine life and offers a prayerful hope for what lies beyond this life: an eternal union with God and those we love.

It’s a quiet reminder that, even in the midst of loss, our faith points us toward the promise of everlasting life. ✝

08/31/2026

A lasting remembrance, made to keep. ✝

One of the unique features of an Abbey Casket is the removable keepsake cross. Included with every Abbey Casket and cremation urn, the cross gives families a meaningful way to hold onto a remembrance of their loved one.

Each cross can be personalized with a gold or silver corpus or custom engraving, making it a meaningful tribute to the person being remembered.

Keepsake crosses can also be purchased separately for other family members or given as a thoughtful gift for a special occasion.

View the Keepsake Cross collection:

Our handcrafted wooden keepsake crosses are available in 5×7 and 8×12 sizes. These crosses make memorable gifts to family and friends for any occasion: Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, graduation, birthday, wedding, anniversary and funeral.

08/28/2026

Planning ahead for those you love is a lasting gift of love.

This free preplanning guide walks you through the steps of recording your final service wishes, ensuring your plans are clear and your family feels supported when they need it most.

Plan ahead with peace of mind:

Planning ahead for those you love is a lasting gift of comfort. This guide walks you through the steps of recording your final service wishes, ensuring your plans are clear and your family feels supported when they need it most. By taking these steps now, you can provide peace of mind for yourself a...

08/27/2026

From its earliest days, Benedictine life at Saint Meinrad has been shaped by humility and simplicity. This spirit was evident even in the monastery carpenter shop, where the monks’ caskets were crafted with care and reverence, either by their own hands or by skilled local craftsmen.

This tradition continues today through Abbey Caskets, a ministry of Saint Meinrad. The original casket design brought from Einsiedeln Abbey continues to inspire our Monastic Casket, which is handcrafted on the grounds of the Archabbey. For generations, monks have been laid to rest in these wooden caskets, simple in form, yet rich in meaning.

Continue reading:

Today, every casket and urn is made on-site by dedicated lay co-workers and blessed by the Archabbot, reflecting the monks’ ongoing spiritual connection to this sacred work. Each handcrafted piece carries forward Benedictine values of prayer and craftsmanship and is rooted in the life and mission ...

08/25/2026

Want to learn more about Abbey Caskets?

Request our free information packet to learn more about our caskets and urns, our history, and the care that goes into each one.

Our packet includes:
• Product information and pricing
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• Workshop tour information
• Purchasing and delivery details
• Information about the special blessing each casket and urn receives from the Archabbot
• Details about prepaying for a casket and setting aside funds in a Funeral Expense Trust

Whether you’re considering a casket or urn for yourself or a loved one, we’re here to answer your questions and provide information to help guide your decision.

Request your free information packet today. https://www.abbeycaskets.com/request-information/

08/20/2026

"First-year grief will surprise you in many ways, but here are a few things you can expect."

Read an excerpt of "What Everyone Should Know About The First Year of Grief" CareNote:

First-year grief will surprise you in many ways, but here are a few things you can expect.

08/18/2026

FAQ: Will funeral homes accept an Abbey Casket?

Yes. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to accept a casket purchased from another source, and they cannot charge you a surcharge or handling fee simply for providing your own casket.

Since 1994, families have had this right, and funeral homes are accustomed to working with families who choose to purchase their casket elsewhere.

Want to learn more about your rights when making funeral arrangements? Request your free copy of the FTC guide, "Paying Final Respects: Your Rights When Buying Funeral Goods and Services."

➡ https://nut.sh/ell/forms/350424/N04CWi

08/14/2026

The Monastic Casket features a distinctive interior that sets it apart from our traditional caskets. The pleated interior lining and matching pillow are made here on the hill, in the Tailor Shop. The finished pieces are then brought to the Abbey Caskets workshop, where our team carefully upholsters each casket by hand.

Working together, the Tailor Shop and Abbey Caskets combine different areas of craftsmanship to create a finished product that is simple, classic, and thoughtfully made.

This kind of collaboration is what defines Saint Meinrad and its ministries. We’re all working toward the same purpose: supporting the monks and their mission of prayer and work.

08/12/2026

"Gratitude is a gift of love, for it reconnects us to our loved ones across the mystery of death."

–Lisa Irish, "Grieving With a Grateful Heart"

08/11/2026

A couple of weeks ago, we shared images from a trip to the sacristy at Saint Meinrad. A set of vestments known as the Holy Trinity, which were hand-embroidered and gifted to Saint Meinrad after the great fire of 1887, were included in those pictures. We received messages asking—and hoping—that those vestments were still in use today.

In fact, these vestments were worn just last week during Br. Colm’s First Profession in the Archabbey Church on August 6, 2026.