TIP #543 FISK METALLIC BURIAL CONTAINERS Fellow researcher Bill Utterback recently sent me some information on an unusual burial container and thought I might be interested in the details. I certainly was and would like to share this with the list. Bill did some research after an inquiry was made about a strange metal container had been located in TN, just across the state line from Calloway Co KY in the 1960's. The container looked like a miniature sarcophagus with a glass at the top of it. Looking through the glass, the body of a small child's head could be seen, well preserved. It soon became an object that many people wanted to see and drove by for a view of this strange burial container with the little child inside. A newspaper article with photos was taken in the 1960's, but the date of the container was unknown. Bill remembered seeing a like photo in a TVA grave removal record, adult size. These containers were known as the Fisk Metallic Burial Containers and came on the market in 1849! Model #1 looked like a sarcophagus and had ornate engravings of flowers and angels on it with 2-3 handles on each side. The adult sized model came in various sizes, starting at 29 inches long, weight of 100 pounds and cost $50. This would be considered very expensive since a wooden coffin at that time as going for $5.00 plus hardware. Fisk advertised these containers to be completely airtight and waterproof which enabled a body, if embalmed, to be preserved indefinitely. Fisk Model #2 came out about 1858 and looked different from the first model, allowing Bill to date the container shown in the photographs as being from 1850-1860. This model could be placed directly in the ground or put inside an outer vault for added protection. Some of these containers have been found near Williamsburg VA and other locations that have been removed due to cemetery relocation or archeological studies. If you will go to: http://www.history.org/Foundation/journal/Spring05/funerals.cfm you will find an interesting article on Williamsburg burials and photographs of the Fisk containers. http://www.uark.edu/campus-resources/archinfo/SCHACmason.pdf is a PDF document describing various burial containers including Fisk, with photographs. http://dave.burrell.net/OofUnder.html contains a detailed look at the beginnings of the undertaker and includes information on Fisk. Wooden coffins with a glass plate over the face were common in the early days and were used in Kentucky. Many times the coffin was placed at an angle, leaned against a chair or table, and the family had their photograph taken standing around the coffin with the face of the deceased showing. This was considered a way to honor the memory of the deceased. It was also a custom in many areas to have pictures taken at the cemetery with the family gathered around the grave. The widow/widower or a child of the deceased could be seen standing or seated, holding a picture of the deceased. My thanks to Bill Utterback for his assistance in this tip. © Copyright 2 June 2005, Sandra K. Gorin Sandi's Puzzlers: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gensoup/gorin/puz.html SCKY Links: http://www.public.asu.edu/~moore/Gorin.html