Creepyco: Your Store For Death On The Cheap

By Sam Bakken in News on May 3, 2005 6:03PM

Last summer, Costco started carrying caskets on their web site and at two of their Illinois warehouses. At the time, Costco's general manager of merchandising called it a test phase, but wouldn't say how long it would last. We called the two Costco locations, in Lincoln Park and Oak Brook, and they're still selling the caskets. An administrator at the Lincoln Park location said it is still considered a test-phase, but they sell four different casket styles at $799 each. The Oak Brook representative wasn't as helpful, but said they too still sell the caskets. On their web site, Costco offers 8 different models ranging in price from $924.99 to $1,499.99.

Costco's marketing of the macabre appears to be going well as they've announced that they will now sell budget urns for the thrifty mortal. These Renaissance silk urns, available in three colors, consist of a plastic inner-urn and a fabric case and go for $64.99 on the web site. Don't they look like multicolored boxes for Chinese takeout? The web site also offers more traditional marble, pebblestone and ebony urns and keepsakes for varying prices. The two casket-carrying Costcos do not yet carry any urns.

While browsing Costco's web site we shivered. We're not sure whether it was the whole terror of death thing or the below normal temperatures—it's supposed to be spring; enough already!