The man who invented the casket lowering device

In 1894, Albert Richardson saw a problem with the way the bodies of dead people were buried. It was common at that time to simply bury bodies in small, shallow graves or to try to lower their caskets with ropes into a deeper hole. Unfortunately, this required several people to work in unison to ensure that the casket was lowered evenly. On November 13, 1894, Albert patented the casket lowering device which consisted of a series of pulleys and ropes or cloths which ensured uniformity in the lowering process. This invention was very significant at that time and is used in all cemeteries today and a VITAL part of any graveside ceremony.

A casket on Albert’s lowering device he patented in 1894.