Watch CBS News

Made In Chicago: Church and Chapel Metal Arts

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Church and Chapel Metal Arts is a family-owned company that makes funeral equipment, including some uniquely shaped urns.

"People call up, 'Can you get me a butterfly?' And we'll make something that looks like a butterfly," said Charles Taddeo - whose father started the business in 1933.

Made In Chicago: Church and Chapel Metal Arts

"Our best-selling urn, believe it or not, is the gas tank. It's a motorcycle gas tank. 'Born to Ride.'

"We developed it about 15 years ago, and I tell you, we sell one a day."

Taddeo says someone once wanted an urn in solid gold.

And one of their urns drew some publicity.

"We have one urn that's very famous: Versace. When he died, he was buried in one of our urns."

One man said he wanted an urn in the shape of a Jack Daniels bottle.

"He wanted that... said it's been killing me for the last 30 years and I want to be buried in one."

Church and Chapel Metal Arts at 2616 West Grand has about 12,000 customers, including funeral homes and crematories all over the world.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.