BATESVILLE, Ind., February 24, 2025 – Following a nearly two-year legal process, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana awarded summary judgment in favor of Batesville Casket Company, LLC and Batesville Services, LLC and against Vandor Group, Inc., rejecting Vandor’s claims that Batesville’s cardboard rental insert, which the company launched in 2011, infringed four of Vandor’s patents. Batesville vigorously disputed Vandor’s allegations of patent infringement and filed its own counterclaims requesting a declaration from the Court that Vandor’s patents were invalid. In its summary judgment decision, the Court agreed with Batesville that all four patents asserted by Vandor were invalid and dismissed Vandor’s infringement claims against Batesville in their entirety. Batesville’s motion for attorney’s fees is now pending before the Court.
“At Batesville, we take pride in bringing innovative and original solutions to market,” said Jenn Parvin, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Batesville. “The Court’s ruling allows us to put these accusations behind us and continue designing and delivering the high-quality products that funeral professionals need and that families deserve.”
A trusted resource for cremation offerings for more than three decades, Batesville has an expansive assortment of products – from cremation urns and keepsakes to caskets and alternative containers, remembrance jewelry, and memorialization products. The company is continuously expanding and refining its product line to improve quality or performance, enhance functionality or deliver greater value.
“Our goal is not just to provide more products, but to provide the right products at the right price points that meet the functional needs of funeral directors and that deliver value to families,” said Parvin. “We have a lot of exciting things in development as we head into 2025.”
Since late 2023, Batesville has added more than 100 new cremation products, touching all categories, including a growing line of cremation containers, rental caskets and inserts. The company recently launched several products in this line.
- Fairview™ 27 – the first rental casket offering personalization through the company’s patented LifeView® panel
- Sureview™ – a competitively priced rental insert that is stronger and easier to use
- NewPointe® – entry-level cardboard cremation container
ABOUT BATESVILLE SERVICES, LLC
Batesville (www.Batesville.com) is a recognized leader in the death care industry in North America, offering a comprehensive portfolio of burial and cremation products, memorialization options and innovative technology solutions. For more than 125 years, Batesville has supported licensed funeral professionals in helping families honor the lives of those they love.® A history of manufacturing excellence, product innovation, superior customer service, and reliable delivery helped Batesville become – and remain – a market leader.
