Batesville Casket Company: In The Beginning
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Batesville Casket Company had its beginning in the year 1906 when John A. Hillenbrand rescued, from insolvency, a small town coffin manufacturing business called Batesville Coffin Company. The company had been producing hand-made wooden coffins with ornate engravings designed by furniture and cabinet makers since 1884. Once Hillenbrand acquired the company, he changed the name to Batesville Casket Company, marking the first of many changes that would eventually establish the company as the industry leader.
Under his leadership, the company began to craft high-quality coffins and caskets from the finest hardwoods available. He invested in the most modern woodworking machinery and built a power plant to supply the factory with the necessary energy to step up production. As product quality and capacity increased, so did the demand. Customer loyalty was built by providing reliable delivery and diverse products. As funeral directors in expanding territories began to call, customer service came to be an integral part of Hillenbrand’s plan for Batesville - a business plan which would continue to set the company and its products apart from the rest of the industry. John A. Hillenbrand established Batesville. His oldest son, John W. Hillenbrand, assumed responsibility for the company’s business, marketing and financial development. A younger son, George C. Hillenbrand, was considered to have been the most gifted contributor to the technological and creative development of the company. It was his expertise that would further advance automation in the factories, making them even more quality conscious and cost effective. He convinced the family to look beyond their own expertise and bring in engineers, plus research and development specialists. He defined the new image. He was the one who had the ability to sense what consumers would want and he would see that Batesville gave it to them.
It was at this point in time when Batesville entered into the era of fabricating metal caskets. The year was 1918. Batesville retooled, dropping most wood production to produce metal, and what came off the lines were different in design, shell shape, finishing and types of interiors. This new era brought with it continued distinction from the competition. Products went beyond the expectations of both funeral directors and consumers. Superior quality became the core signature of Batesville Casket Company.
When WWII began, metal casket production was halted and Batesville had to step up wood casket production. Batesville continued to grow during this time, in spite of the war, mainly because of the railroad running along the city limits that enabled the company to supply the military with caskets. In 1948, with the war behind the country, Batesville began manufacturing metal caskets once again. By 1953, wood casket production was completely suspended and would not be back until 1973.
Throughout the years since, Batesville has continued to grow using the same guiding business principles and innovative ideas established by the Hillenbrand family. Some of the more significant achievements are noted here:
- In 1948, upon the return of metal manufacturing, the company developed the first vacuum testing system. Today, every Batesville metal casket is required to pass multiple vacuum tests during the manufacturing process before they are shipped.
- In 1954, the company introduced the Memorial Record™ tube. This feature permits positive identification without disturbing the inside of the casket, should this ever become necessary. Some families use the tube to store written memories.
- In 1958, Cathodic Protection was unveiled. This exclusive Batesville feature scientifically protects the entire surface of a metal casket from corrosion, extending the life of the casket.
- In 1963, Batesville became the first casket manufacturer to offer a warranty on all of their caskets.
- 1973 marked the return of premium hardwood production.
- In 1976, the Living Memorial® tree planting program was established and has since grown to be the largest private reforestation project in the United States.
- 1990 brought the Failsafe® Liner, a patented liner to protect all hardwood caskets from damaging interior fluids.
The nineties have inspired the concept of personalization within funeral service, and Batesville continues to lead the way, developing new highly desired product features which allow families to customize their funeral. A few of the more popular are:
- MemorySafe™ drawer built into select wood caskets. It turns the casket into a personal memorial that can be used privately or openly, often serving as a catalyst for emotional release to friends and relatives.
- Interior panel designs, also known as personalized cap panels, allow the casket’s interior to reflect different cultures, hobbies, professions, literary or Biblical passages, and more. They can be added to most Batesville caskets.
- Life Symbols™ system offers interchangeable corner hardware that allows casket corners to be personalized with cast metal insets designed for special significance. This feature is available on select series of wood and metal caskets.
Options® by Batesville is the newest product line, encompassing cremation products and resources. Cremation urns, in an exquisite array of materials, are further enhanced by personalization and custom display supports. They are designed as permanent memorials, to contain ashes in their entirety, and also Keepsake™ versions. A wide spectrum of cremation containers are available as well. In addition, the Options® group has created a number of marketing resource materials for use by our customers to more effectively serve families who choose cremation.
Today, Batesville is the nation’s largest manufacturer of bronze, copper, stainless steel, steel, and hardwood caskets, with five plants in five states and employing over 3,500 people. Well over 500 various styles and colors of caskets are available, plus a complete line of cremation products. The company’s commitment to continual evolution and product innovations has brought it to the forefront of every significant new development in manufacturing and merchandising programs in funeral service. Quality, dependability, service, and a dedication to excellence and continuous improvement are all cornerstones on which the company has grown.
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