A reusable casket includes a metal casket box having an opening at one end and includes a panel section rotatably attached to the casket box which is closeable to enclose the opening and openable to allow longitudinal movement of a casket insert into and out of the casket box through the opening. The panel section is retained to each side panel in the closed position by a locking bolt extending through the panel section to engage an interface operatively connected to the side panel. A transverse member may be attached to the opposing side panels of the box to partially define the opening. An end panel of the casket box may include the panel section intermediate first and second lateral sections where each lateral section is fixedly attached to a respective one of the opposing side panels and the panel section is movable relative to the lateral sections.
