Casket Outlet Opens in Costa Mesa

Direct Casket, a Van Nuys-based company that bypasses funeral homes and sells caskets directly to consumers, has opened a storefront in Costa Mesa. The company claims to offer savings of 50% to 75% on casket prices. Direct Casket offers 40 styles of caskets that range in price from $270 to $3,495.

Direct Casket, which now has four locations in Southern California, opened its doors after a Federal Trade Commission ruling prohibited funeral parlors from charging customers a fee for caskets purchased from outside suppliers. Leonard Weaver, a former Federated Department Stores employee, was named general manager of the Costa Mesa store.

Greg Johnson covers retail businesses and restaurants for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5950 and at greg.johnson@latimes.com