In the summer of 2004 Costco, The number one wholesale club chain in the country , began offering caskets to it’s customers from two of it’s Chicago locations. Now available online and at many Costco locations via touch screen ordering, the caskets, made by Universal Casket Company, are accessible to everyone.
Ranging in price from $924.99 to $2,699.99 online, Costco’s caskets can be purchased from and shipped to 25 states and the District of Columbia.
In addition to caskets, Costco offers a wide variety of Urns that range in price from $26.99 to $219.99 and cover many styles.
While Funeral planning is usually done as “one stop shopping” at a local funeral home, Caskets from Costco offer an alternative to those seeking lower prices or options for pre planning and the process could prove to be less overwhelming for some.
Richard Hastings, a retail analyst, in 2004 told Business Week Reporter, Erin Chambers, “Costco doesn’t make mistakes; I’ll bet the markup is really good” Hastings goes on to say that while he believes Costco will do well with the coffins, he’s doubtful other retailers will follow its lead. “If Wal-Mart were to start selling caskets, they’d be modest pine boxes — and they wouldn’t sell,” he points out.
While Reaction from consumers has varied, some like the idea and may consider Costco when the time comes. Why not, you know funeral homes are going to try to make a buck any way that they can, even if it means jacking up the price on caskets. Costco’s caskets look nice enough. What does it matter though, you can’t see it after your dead anyway. If I were to be buried or have to bury someone, I would buy one. Instead my husband will have to find a pretty urn from Costco to put me in because I would like to be cremated. I really like their Twilight Moon Medium Pewter Urn. It comes in 2 different sizes: Medium & Large” Said Katrina Knudsen of Weatherford Texas.
Contributing: Business Week
(http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/aug2004/nf20040818_7779_db016.htm)
