In the summer of 1979, Marsellus Casket Company closed its southern factory, which was Heritage Casket Company in Burlington, NC. After building caskets for eight years for the Marsellus family, Mastercraft Casket Co., Inc was born! The management and staff decided to open Mastercraft across town in Graham, NC to continue being a premier solid hardwood casket company. With typical start-up issues, Mastercraft became stable in 1984 under the leadership of its new president, William C. “Bill” Simpson. In the original Marsellus tradition, Mastercraft builds up to a standard, not down to a price. For example, we use only the finest materials available, such as African Mahogany, American Black Walnut, and Adirondack Cherry, instead of less expensive lumber grades that others use. We use copper nails, brass screws, handsaws, hand-spun cotton, and Vel Allure Velvets. Very simply, we do things the old-fashioned way, being the quality boutique company that we are.
All of our caskets undergo a 30 to 40 step process of hand-rubbed stains, sealers, and lacquers in our finishing room. This process, in which we allow natural curing, takes anywhere from days to weeks. This age-old process allows us to achieve a true high-end furniture finish.
We offer many deep tone Vel-Allure Velvets, such as Cardinal Red, Dusty Rose, French Blue, Forest Green, Silver, Soft Pink, Light and Dark Pearl, and even Royal Purple. Every interior aspect is truly handmade, from our rolled puffings, intricate cap panels, fully trimmed foot end, and hemmed body linings. There is no comparison or equal to the handmade care of our interiors.
Mastercraft is ready at a moment’s notice to respond to an urgent timetable and meet a family’s needs. We make every effort to keep an untrimmed version of every casket on our shelves just so we can offer total custom interior service and give your family the perfect memory picture they desire.
From the moment the tree is harvested and until our creation is loaded on our truck to ship to the funeral home, Mastercraft adds numerous quality features throughout our handmade process. In our 40-year history, we have never cut corners with our quality.
We are proud to be the only hardwood casket company left that does it all by hand. We build each casket one at a time, and we build to the highest standard possible.
At Mastercraft Casket Company, it’s all about quality, service, and tradition.