A reusable casket includes a metal casket box having an opening at one end and including 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. A transverse member adjacent the panel section connects opposing side panels of the box to partially define the opening. The panel section is retained to the transverse member in the closed position by locking bolts extending through the panel section to engage the transverse member. A method of making the metal casket box includes welding side, end, and floor panels together, moveably attaching the panel section relative to an opening in the end of the casket box, and attaching the transverse member to the side panels adjacent the panel section.
