An important part of the industry's history: in service since 1908

The firm that is now Reynoldsville Casket Company began in Brookville, PA in 1908. Four years later it was moved to Reynoldsville and reorganized under the name Pennsylvania Burial Case Company.

Though there were some unfinished and uncovered caskets used during this time, most were covered with gray or black cloth and lined with ivory satin. Caskets manufactured during these early years were of wood purchased from nearby sawmills, supporting central Pennsylvania's thriving lumber industry. Funeral directors of the day bought casket shells and customized both the interior and exterior for the needs of their customers; good supplies of handles and ornaments were generally kept on hand for placement on the casket, and the interior lining of the customer's choice was installed in the casket on the funeral director's premises, often by the funeral director's wife or other family members.

Flu epidemic changes industry

Funeral practice changed drastically and permanently following the 1918 flu epidemic, which swept the nation and cost hundreds of thousands of lives. Funeral directors found themselves unable to meet the demand for caskets, which led to both an increase in the number of casket manufacturers and inspired existing manufacturers to provide caskets ready-fitted with interiors and hardware. Wood continued to be the primary material for casket construction until the late 1930s, when metal caskets became popular. Pennsylvania Burial Case started manufacturing metal caskets in 1938.

Reynoldsville Casket Company today

In 1981 Pennsylvania Burial Case was purchased by a group of local businessmen who renamed it Reynoldsville Casket Company. Though the name has changed, the firm's commitment to quality, craftsmanship, selection, and service remains the same.

Since 1981 the company has ambitiously sought and can proudly say it has achieved a presence in the funeral industry. Reynoldsville Casket has completed its 3rd expansion adding 23,000 square feet of warehousing space at Reynoldsville in 2004. Previous to this the company completed construction of 36,000 square feet in 2 different building projects aimed at expanding and modernizing its production. In addition, a new building was also erected for warehousing at the company's Pittsburgh location.

While Reynoldsville Casket carries a standard line of 200 units available in full couch and perfection cut, Reynoldsville has also made itself a known competitor in customization. Its modern conveyor-driven production line has been designed in such a fashion that personalized casket orders are introduced each and every production day without interfering with daily planned production. The company stocks 40 shell styles, almost 300 hardware styles, and 60 different fabric choices. 200 different embroidered panels in stock along with the introduction of 2 new computerized embroidery machines make possible combinations endless. Funeral directors can not only sell units unique to their local community, but also their families are allowed the comfort of individualized choice designed to fit the unique attributes of the deceased loved one.

With fully stocked warehouses in Pittsburgh, Allentown, Youngstown, Buffalo, West Virginia, and Syracuse, the majority of caskets produced are shipped direct to funeral homes, with a significant portion also now being sold to distributors. Interested funeral directors and distributors are invited to tour our modern & innovative facilities. Inquiries are welcomed.