Business

<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) In this screen shot taken from WalMart.com, a casket for sale on the Wal-Mart Web site is shown. Wal-Mart quietly put up about 15 caskets and dozens of urns on its Web site last week. (AP Photo/WalMart.com) ** NO SALES **   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Bitter over Boeing? 10/29/09   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009 Wal-Mart gets into the coffin business The world’s largest retailer wants to keep its customers even after they die. Wal-Mart has started selling caskets on its Web site at prices that undercut many funeral homes, long the major seller of caskets. The move follows a similar one by discount rival Costco, which also sells caskets on its site. Wal-Mart, based in Bentonville, Ark., quietly put up about 15 caskets and dozens of urns on its Web site last week. Prices range from $999 for models like “Dad Remembered” and “Mom Remembered” steel caskets to the mid-level $1,699 “Executive Privilege.” All are less than $2,000, except for the Sienna Bronze Casket, which sells for $3,199. Caskets ship within 48 hours. Federal law requires that funeral homes must accept third-party caskets. Associated Press READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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