From the Frigid Factory to Your Cemetery: Why We Service Casket Lowering Devices On-Site

A practical look at the difference between “someone repaired it” and “the manufacturer serviced it.”

If you manage a cemetery, you have a lot of moving parts to worry about: grounds, scheduling, staff, equipment, and families who expect everything to run smoothly on the most important day of someone’s life.

One piece of equipment that gets overlooked until it doesn’t work is the casket lowering device. It is reliable for years, so it’s easy to assume it is “fine.” But just like a vehicle, a lowering device needs routine inspection, lubrication, adjustment, and (when needed) replacement of wear parts to stay safe and consistent.

The common scenario we hear (and what we notice right away)

“We have a local guy who services our devices.”

Sometimes you do. Sometimes the devices have never been properly serviced at all. And a lot of times, we can tell within a minute of looking at the brake and operating end that the device is overdue for attention.

When a lowering device starts to get noisy, inconsistent, or fast, that’s not “normal wear.” That’s the equipment asking for maintenance.

Manufacturer service vs. local repair: the difference is accountability

I respect good local technicians. Many are skilled. The issue is that a lowering device is not a generic piece of equipment. It’s a precision system with specific tolerances, wear points, and adjustments that directly control speed and safety.

1) We build these devices. We know how they’re supposed to run.

Frigid introduced the automatic casket lowering device to the profession in 1914, and our devices continue to be manufactured and hand-assembled in Illinois. That matters because the people who build something see what fails, why it fails, and how to prevent it.

When our team services a device, we’re not guessing. We’re bringing factory knowledge to the cemetery.

2) We use original parts - not “close enough” parts

Here’s what we see when devices are “serviced” by someone who doesn’t specialize in them:

·         Parts that should be replaced are left in place because they still “move.”

·         A heavy layer of grease is added to cover noise and friction, and everyone hopes for the best.

·         Sometimes everything gets sprayed or painted to make the operating end look clean, even though the internal wear has not been addressed.

Grease has a place. Paint has a place. Neither of them replaces inspection, measurement, adjustment, and replacing parts that are at the end of their service life.

Our goal is not to make the device look good. Our goal is to make it lower smoothly, at the correct speed, and safely - every time.

3) You get documentation, not just a handshake

When Frigid services your devices, you don’t just get “it should be good now.” You get documentation. That matters for:

·         Your internal records and budgeting

·         Consistency across multiple devices

·         Training and accountability with staff

·         Risk management and liability protection

And we add something simple but powerful: a service sticker on the device. Think of it like the oil-change sticker on your windshield. It helps your team know when service is due and keeps a routine in place instead of waiting for a problem.

Why routine service matters more today than it did 10 years ago

Two things have changed in the field:

·         Caskets are getting heavier. Weight changes stress the system. If parts are worn or misadjusted, that shows up fast.

·         Everyone has a phone. If a device malfunctions during a graveside service, there is a good chance it gets recorded.

A malfunction isn’t just an inconvenience. It can become a public moment tied to your cemetery’s name.

What “good maintenance” looks like (in plain language)

Good maintenance is not complicated, but it has to be consistent. At a high level, it includes:

·         Routine lubrication and cleaning (not over-greasing)

·         Governor and brake adjustments so the device lowers at the proper speed

·         Inspection of wear parts and replacement before failure

·         Checking for misalignment and correcting it

·         Proper storage: upright, on the ground, and ideally indoors; dry the device if it gets wet

If your device becomes noisy or inconsistent, the governor brake assembly may need to be oiled and the governor disc/studs adjusted. That’s normal maintenance - but it needs to be done correctly.

From the factory to your cemetery: why Frigid shows up

Frigid has been in this industry for more than a century, but the way we serve customers has evolved. In the last decade, we have built a dedicated service team that travels to cemeteries to inspect, service, repair, and train staff on proper operation.

We are not trying to be distant. We want direct relationships with the people who use our equipment. If you need us, you can reach out through the website, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, and you’ll get a real response from a real team.

The takeaway

If you own Frigid lowering devices, the smartest way to protect that investment is to maintain them with the people who built them.

Local repair may keep something moving. Manufacturer service keeps it operating up to standard, with original parts, correct adjustments, and documentation you can stand behind.

If you want to schedule an on-site preventative maintenance visit or training for your staff, reach out to the Frigid Cemetery Service team. We’ll help you keep every service smooth, safe, and professional.