A casket loading and/or unloading apparatus comprises a frame having an end adapted to be pivoted adjacent a rear edge of a bed of a transport vehicle for pivoting about a pivot axis generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the transport vehicle, and a motion generating device operable between the frame and the transport vehicle for pivoting the frame from a first generally vertical position to a second at least generally horizontal position. A vertically oriented casket in the transport vehicle can be secured to the frame, and the frame with the casket secured thereto can be pivoted from the first generally vertical position to the second at least generally horizontal position to facilitate unloading the casket from the transport vehicle.