Batesville Casket Company's New Offerings Respond to Consumer Trend for Customization

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Batesville Casket Company, the funeral service operating unit of Hillenbrand Industries (NYSE: HB) , announced that the company is featuring a number of new products at the National Funeral Directors Association's (NFDA) convention, which opened today in Las Vegas.

Throughout the convention display, Batesville is showcasing new products and features that give families more choices for creating personalized funeral experiences. Featured products include:

    -- Two new bronze caskets, the Ivory Rose and the Sapphire, have been
       released.  Each model offers interchangeable LifeSymbols(R) designs on
       the corners and Batesville's patented MemorySafe(R) drawer for holding
       memorabilia and keepsakes.

    -- For the environmentally-conscious consumer, Batesville has introduced
       two new veneer caskets, the Natural Cherry and the Dalton Select.  Like
       all caskets in the New Classics veneer line, they feature Batesville's
       proprietary one-piece cap and patented Werzalit(R) molded wood
       technology.

    -- Several new cremation urn styles, including models that incorporate
       photographs, timepieces and stained glass, have been launched by the
       Options by Batesville team.  These new designs include both full-size
       and smaller keepsakes versions and are featured in the newly-released
       Options Cremation Products Catalog.

    -- Several new interchangeable casket corner designs that reflect a loved
       one's spirituality or branch of service have been unveiled. These
       themed LifeSymbols(R) designs can be added to a growing number of
       caskets in the Batesville line, further individualizing the product to
       the life of the deceased.

    -- Cremation products developed in collaboration with Nambe Mills, Inc.
       are also being showcased. These urns and cremation jewelry feature the
       contemporary trademark design of Nambe sculptures -- many of which
       reside in museums and exhibits worldwide.

"We know that consumers are looking for new ways to add personal touches that make every ceremony a unique celebration of an individual's life experiences," said Michael DiBease, Batesville Casket Company's vice president of marketing. "It's our business to provide new, innovative products and services in response to those needs so that families can honor the lives of those they love in the most meaningful way."

The NFDA is holding its annual convention and international exposition on October 7-10, 2007, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

ABOUT HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC.

Hillenbrand Industries is organized into two operating companies serving the funeral service and health care industries.

Batesville Casket Company is a leader in the North American death care industry through the sale of funeral services products, including burial caskets, cremation caskets, containers and urns, selection room display fixturing and other personalization and memorialization products.

 Batesville Casket Company ... helping families honor the lives of those they
                                    love.

Hill-Rom is a leading worldwide manufacturer and provider of medical technologies and related services for the health care industry, including patient support systems, non-invasive therapeutic products for a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions, medical equipment rentals, and healthcare information technology solutions. Hill-Rom's comprehensive product and service offerings are used by health care providers across the care continuum in hospitals, extended care facilities and home care settings to enhance the safety and quality of patient care.

Hill-Rom ... enhancing outcomes for patients and their caregivers.