Local casket maker makes resting in peace a little easier

A Pierce County business is doing its part to make resting in peace a little easier for area residents.

The employees at South GA Casket Company say most people in the community have no clue there's a casket manufacturer in Pierce County.

"I get all kinds of looks," says Shane Vickery, who works in the finishing shop. "When I say I work at South GA Casket (they say) ‘You work where?’"

Formerly R&L Woodworks, the company changed its name earlier this year when Jody Gill bought out former owner Ron Lee.

South Ga Casket Co. specializes in wood caskets.

Their biggest sellers are Yellow Pine based products, although they also use Cedar and: "just about any kind of wood you want" says Gill.

New styles of caskets are currently in development.

Custom options are also available, like the Sportsman model with camouflage interiors. It is recommended that those seeking custom-made caskets as part of their prearrangements place their orders four weeks in advance.

South GA Casket also produces urns and memorial picture frames made from the same wood used in casket construction.

All of that wood is raw and nearly all of it — 80 % — is locally sourced.

Gill says the rest is reclaimed heart pine, similar to what was harvested by Georgia lumber mills in the 1800s, found out of state and shipped back.

In fact, everything about South GA Casket Co. is locally sourced. Gill says that the shipping range for building materials is within 100 miles.

That goes for everything in the shop.

Machines and labor are also local.

The company also builds their own casket interiors, sourcing fabric and lining from local artisans.

Gill admits some hardware comes from Tennessee, such as hinges and swing arms used to attach casket lids.

So far, business has been good.

All the funeral homes in Pierce and the surrounding counties purchase South GA Casket Co. products.

The company's products are distributed to almost every county in Georgia.

They have a couple customers above Atlanta, although that's the furthest north they reach.

In the past year, Service Casket Company out of Columbus agreed to deliver South GA Casket Co. products, which has saved the company's employees from splitting their time between manufacturing and distribution.

The arrangement has worked out well and led to gains in South GA Casket's customer base.

Multiple caskets are in production at any one time.

On average 1.5 caskets make it to the end of the assembly process each day.

The company is currently working on developing a website and social media presence.

Questions about South GA Casket Co. can be directed to any of the local funeral homes which sell South Ga Casket products.

Gill also invites locals to call South GA Casket at (912) 937-4685.

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