Wtf is the world coming too
 

MILWAUKEE - The world's largest retailer wants to keep its customers even after they die.

Wal-Mart has started selling caskets on its Web site at prices that undercut many funeral homes, long the major seller of caskets. The move follows a similar one by discount rival Costco, which also sells caskets on its site.

Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark., quietly put up about 15 caskets and dozens of urns on its Web site last week.

Prices range from $999 for models like "Dad Remembered" and "Mom Remembered" steel caskets to the mid-level $1,699 "Executive Privilege." All are less than $2,000, except for the Sienna Bronze Casket, which sells for $3,199.

Caskets ship within 48 hours. Federal law requires funeral homes to accept third-party caskets.

The caskets come from Star Legacy Funeral Network, Inc., a company based in McHenry, Ill., that sells the same caskets for about the same price - some less - on its site, along with many others.

Star Legacy CEO Rick Obadiah said the response in the first week has been better than the company or Wal-Mart expected, though he declined to give specifics. A spokesman for Walmart.com also declined to release sales figures and downplayed the venture.

"Several online retailers offer this category on their sites," spokesman Ravi Jariwala wrote in an email. "We are simply conducting a limited beta test to understand customer response."

But Obadiah said it is not simply a test. He said more than 200 Star Legacy products, including pet urns and memorial jewelry, and eventually about two dozen caskets, will be sold at walmart.com . The company also supplies similar types of products to online retailer Overstock.com and urns to CostCo's Web site.

Other parts of the Wal-Mart empire also sell funeral wares. The company's samsclub.com site sells casket floral arrangements for about $300.

Part of the business model is to get people to plan ahead: Walmart.com is allowing people to pay for the caskets over a period of 12 months for no interest.

The move gives more power to consumers and helps them avoid high mark-ups on caskets, which can often be several hundred per cent, said R. Brian Burkhardt, a funeral director who blogs as "Your Funeral Guy."

"You can get a quality casket for $1,000 rather than pay $2,000,$3,000 or $5,000 in a funeral home. That's where it helps the consumer," he said.

The industry is not too concerned about Wal-Mart entering the market, said Pat Lynch, president-elect of the National Funeral Home Directors Association. Consumers have been able to buy caskets online and from other sources for years, with minimal effect on the business, he said.

Wal-Mart's prices for caskets don't differ greatly from those offered at funeral homes, most of which range from $500 to $5,000, Lynch said. He declined to give an average price, saying a casket selection is a personal one.

He said Wal-Mart can't offer one thing funeral directors do have: the ability to comfort someone during a trying time.

"There's no question in my mind as a funeral director for nearly 40 years that the most critical element is the human contact," he said.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

They want to bury the competition.:3:

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

This could easily turn into a "political" topic, so I won't comment, other than to say, having been in business myself, I've yet to need anything, I can't find somewhere else, and don't have to worry about being planted in a casket from Wal-Wart, and that isn't misspelled, either. Bob

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by TQ29m:
This could easily turn into a "political" topic, so I won't comment, other than to say, having been in business myself, I've yet to need anything, I can't find somewhere else, and don't have to worry about being planted in a casket from Wal-Wart, and that isn't misspelled, either. Bob

Ditto

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Just in Time For Christmas the item for that person on your list that has every thing so they thought

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Dam wish they still had layaway plan.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

I am just dying to get one.

What next Home Depot selling do it yourself embalming kits?

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

At least they stopped buying life ins. policies on sick workers and there spouses and stopped calling them death peasants.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

"Save money, die better." :2:

Honestly, is there any better way to honor your departed loved ones like burrying them in a casket sold to you by an employee that might have been putting out meat or changing your oil 15 minutes earlier?:17:

I don't have to worry about being buried in a Wally World pinebox. My family already know that I wish to be creamated when I die, so that my ashes can be spread into some dirt track. (You know, since they say that organic material is good for dirt.):3:

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

What dept. would this be under.....outdoor living, for the home, or home health?

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Though I just buried my mom 2 weeks ago, I'm still chuckling at the responses here. Great therapy. Had I know that Wally world had caskets for sale, somehow I don't think I'd have bought one of theirs.

I mean, how would you get one of those things home? Borrow a dump truck?

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by Danny Burton:
Though I just buried my mom 2 weeks ago, I'm still chuckling at the responses here. Great therapy. Had I know that Wally world had caskets for sale, somehow I don't think I'd have bought one of theirs.

I mean, how would you get one of those things home? Borrow a dump truck?

You'll have to help me here, if I buy a refrigerator from my local appliance store, they always include delivery, and installation, just as I did, when I was in business, is that not included? I guess the silence can be considered a NO! Bob

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by TQ29m:
You'll have to help me here, if I buy a refrigerator from my local appliance store, they always include delivery, and installation, just as I did, when I was in business, is that not included? I guess the silence can be considered a NO! Bob

LOL A Walmart casket delivered ina Walmart Delivery van hurse, LOL

The perfect redneck funeral. Throw in some NASCAR decorations, a hunting dog, and some moonshine for the wake and your set.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by TQ29m:
You'll have to help me here, if I buy a refrigerator from my local appliance store, they always include delivery, and installation, just as I did, when I was in business, is that not included? I guess the silence can be considered a NO! Bob

The look on the faces of the funeral home staff might be priceless if a Wal-Mart truck pulled up to unload a casket.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

I'm sure they already have "arrangements"with one, that's all they need, get their foot in the door, then they take over. Nah, that might mean they would have to make good on the commitment, and if you'll notice, they stay away from things, that they might have to correct, at their own expense, they don't care, the supplier is bearing all the responsibility.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Who's to say the Funeral Homes aren't already using them?

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Bob, I realize that I'm a dumb Hoosier, with documentation to prove it, but I'm not clear on who you mean by "they." Are you referring to Wal-Mart, as it seems to sound, or are you referring to the funeral home?

A few months before my mom passed away a rep from Jewell-Rittman paid us a visit, at our invitation. We talked about various funeral arrangements, including the casket. I cannot imagine suggesting to my mom that we could get a good deal on a casket from....Wal-Mart???? In her later days she was quite weak, but I think she might have found the strength to bop me one upside the head.

Good luck to the Wally World gang. If they can overcome that stigma, for lack of a better term, of getting a casket from there, then more power to them. And for those who wish to be cremated and have their ashes preserved, I'll bet that Wal-Mart will have a nice urn they can sell you. For my mother, we took the proven traditional route, with the funeral home handling most everything with all costs itemized. They did everything they said they'd do, which makes me wonder if a Wal-Mart would do so.

And I recommend those of you with aging parents, including some of my very good friends here, to be thinking about these things. Today.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

They put them in the "for the home" section......just what I always wanted for my home.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=12568637

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

I'm guess it goes without saying, that the Amp Energy #88 model will be their top seller.:5:

Jerry

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Danny, you are correct, "they" is refering to Wal-Wart, they have become the worlds largest merchandiser, by convincing folks they have the lowest prices on everything, no use going anywhere else, and as I said earlier, I have yet to need anything, I can't find elsewhere, and if I can't. I'll make it, my wife is a seamstress, does alterations and things, she just comes unsoldered when she gets something from there to alter, besides the material being bad, usually the seems are so crooked, she has a hard time making them look right, it's hard to reconstruct something that bad.

---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:30 PM ----------

BTW, I'm just a dumb Hoosier also, and also have the papers to prove it. Bob

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

no political rants please!.....

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Wonder if Sam Walton is buried in one of their units. He would need the extra large one so there was room to roll over.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by Go Fast:
Wonder if Sam Walton is buried in one of their units. He would need the extra large one so there was room to roll over.

For lower prices:5::5::5::5:

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by Danny Burton:
Bob, I realize that I'm a dumb Hoosier, with documentation to prove it, but I'm not clear on who you mean by "they." Are you referring to Wal-Mart, as it seems to sound, or are you referring to the funeral home?

A few months before my mom passed away a rep from Jewell-Rittman paid us a visit, at our invitation. We talked about various funeral arrangements, including the casket. I cannot imagine suggesting to my mom that we could get a good deal on a casket from....Wal-Mart???? In her later days she was quite weak, but I think she might have found the strength to bop me one upside the head.

Good luck to the Wally World gang. If they can overcome that stigma, for lack of a better term, of getting a casket from there, then more power to them. And for those who wish to be cremated and have their ashes preserved, I'll bet that Wal-Mart will have a nice urn they can sell you. For my mother, we took the proven traditional route, with the funeral home handling most everything with all costs itemized. They did everything they said they'd do, which makes me wonder if a Wal-Mart would do so.

And I recommend those of you with aging parents, including some of my very good friends here, to be thinking about these things. Today.

Danny, at my age I have been thinking about that for myself lately.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Dave, you aint' old, I"m OLD! But I do forget that at times, at 72, I got to hot lap my Midget about a month ago, and my wife didn't say a word, other than I hadn't gotten any better! Bob

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by TQ29m:
Dave, you aint' old, I"m OLD! But I do forget that at times, at 72, I got to hot lap my Midget about a month ago, and my wife didn't say a word, other than I hadn't gotten any better! Bob

Thats great Bob, why not just drive it yourself next year? You have 2 years on me, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it if it were mine.If Mel Kenyon and Nelson Stewart can do it you can too.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by TQ29m:
You'll have to help me here, if I buy a refrigerator from my local appliance store, they always include delivery, and installation, just as I did, when I was in business, is that not included? I guess the silence can be considered a NO! Bob

Why even bother with the casket. I've told my wife to go to the local appliance store and get a refrigerator box to bury me in and drop me down by the Wabash river. :2: I'll be dead, so I won't care what I'm put in. Strangely, she didn't refuse right away.....

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by terrehautian:
What dept. would this be under.....outdoor living, for the home, or home health?

I would think it would be in "lawn & garden". That is where they sell everthiing that is planted.:19::10:

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by Mud Packer:
I would think it would be in "lawn & garden". That is where they sell everthiing that is planted.:19::10:

Now that is COLD! Bob:32:

---------- Post added at 08:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:50 AM ----------

Originally Posted by SprintManDave:
Thats great Bob, why not just drive it yourself next year? You have 2 years on me, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it if it were mine.If Mel Kenyon and Nelson Stewart can do it you can too.

Dave, I wish you'd change your setup on here, so I could PM you. Bob:)

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

I'm not a big fan of being put into the ground when my time is done so i asked my wife if she could just keep me in the freezer in the basement. Every time she needs something from the freezer there i am! :16

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by Tim Watson:
I'm not a big fan of being put into the ground when my time is done so i asked my wife if she could just keep me in the freezer in the basement. Every time she needs something from the freezer there i am! :16

Also, elminating the need for for Viagra, assuming the freezer does it's job. ;) :18: ;)

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by FishBurger:
Also, elminating the need for for Viagra, assuming the freezer does it's job. ;) :18: ;)

Good point Marv! I guess i would be ok as long as we don't have a lenghty power outage, but who knows, i might thaw out and come back to life. ;)

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by Tim Watson:
Good point Marv! I guess i would be ok as long as we don't have a lenghty power outage, but who knows, i might thaw out and come back to life. ;)

You'll be in great company with the like osf Ted Williams and Walt Disney.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by Tim Watson:
I'm not a big fan of being put into the ground when my time is done so i asked my wife if she could just keep me in the freezer in the basement. Every time she needs something from the freezer there i am! :16

Tim,

Better be careful. Next thing you know, Jeffrey Dahmer will be moving in.:18::3::10:

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by illiNOISE:
I don't have to worry about being buried in a Wally World pinebox. My family already know that I wish to be creamated when I die, so that my ashes can be spread into some dirt track. (You know, since they say that organic material is good for dirt.):3:

I thought about the hole that forms over the tunnel in the first turn at Williams Grove, but I think this is even a better idea: http://www.nadinejarvis.com/projects/carbon_copies

I like being useful. :2:

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by Dick Monahan:
I thought about the hole that forms over the tunnel in the first turn at Williams Grove, but I think this is even a better idea: http://www.nadinejarvis.com/projects/carbon_copies

I like being useful. :2:

I guess thats one way to put lead in your pencil.

Re: Wtf is the world coming too
 

Originally Posted by Mud Packer:
Tim,

Better be careful. Next thing you know, Jeffrey Dahmer will be moving in.:18::3::10:

I'd be willing to give Dahmer a second chance.