Thaindian News

Bentonville, Oct 29 (THAINDIAN News) Wal-Mart is expanding and its latest offerings include caskets and urns, which it will sell online. It sells around 15 caskets and dozens of urns on its site.

Wal-Mart has started selling caskets online on its website at discounted prices that undercut many funeral homes who have been the major seller of caskets for long.

Wal-Mart quietly followed the pattern set by discount rival Costco, which also sells caskets on its site.

Prices range from $999 steel caskets to the mid-level $1,699 “Executive Privilege.” All are less than $2,000, except for the high-end Sienna Bronze Casket, which sells for $3,199.

“I think it’s great,” said Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore. He had attempted 2 years ago to change the laws which prevent Oklahoma companies from selling caskets online was rejected by a state legislative committee.

“If someone wants to buy a casket online from Costco in California, they have to accept it,” Wesselhoft said. “But the funeral homes hate it because they (the national retailers) charge a third of what they charge here.”

Wesselhoft still scoffs at such talk. “There is nothing mystical about what you’re buying,” he said. “They’re either wood or aluminum and can be made in a number of shops at far less expense. People who are grieving are being pressured to buy caskets they really can’t afford.”