for example an environmentally safe polystyrene type material 65 can be used in lieu of the honeycomb material where it is placed between two stabilizing surface elements polystyrene foam placed between similar stabilizing surface elements exhibits substantially the same structural rigidity as the honeycomb portions and can be used interchangeably additionally pccf and other materials can be formed into truss patterns which also exhibit high structural rigidity when sandwiched between the stabilizing surface elements upon completion of the body containment portion 12 and the lid 14 as substantially described the lightweight casket is finished by attaching ornamental elements thereto which gives the casket a richer appearance as shown in fig1 preformed corner pieces 66 a through 66 d are placed onto the corners of the lightweight casket 10 in addition to appearance the corners 66 a 66 d provide extra strength in the body containment portion 12 the corners 66 a through 66 d are comprised substantially of two triangularly shaped elements attached perpendicularly to each other the corners are covered with the same aesthetically pleasing material as the rest of the lightweight casket exhibits the corners 66 a through 66 d are simply glued to the body containment compartment corners as shown in fig1 in addition to the corners handles 68 are securely attached to each side of the lightweight casket for the carrying of the same the inner portion of the lightweight casket in its finished condition is also designed in an aesthetically pleasing manner having linings and pillows the lightweight casket is used in a manner similar to any other casket because of the structural rigidity providing by the sandwiching of either the open cell or solid surface core materials there are no special precautions which.