Burial Vault: What’s the Point?

Nov 26, 2021

Historically speaking, burial vaults were conceived as a means of protection from grave robbers. They were designed and intended to make it difficult to get into the coffin and remove valuables or even the body itself from the grave. Early vaults were made of wood and were called a “rough box” because they were rustic and unfinished in comparison to the more finely finished coffin. 

In the late 1800s grave liners were in common use. These were made of brick on site at the cemetery. Bricks were fashioned right in the grave literally lining the grave space.  Over time the concept of protection expanded to include protection from the elements. Family members became interested in protecting the casket or coffin from water, critters, and decomposition in general. Many families today consider “how” they care for a deceased family member to be a reflection of their love for that person and point of family pride.

When burial is selected as the final disposition of the body the deceased is most often placed in a casket. The difference between a coffin and a casket is the shape. A coffin is six-sided, it is wider toward the top third to accommodate the shoulders of the body and tapers to the foot. More commonly used in the U.S. is the rectangularly shaped casket. Caskets are most often made of wood or metal.

 

Wood caskets can be made of any species of wood and may be finished with ornate carving or may be very simple. The easiest way to understand the difference in cost of wooden caskets is to apply what you know about furniture. Solid mahogany will cost more than a veneer of pine. Many caskets are also made of metal. Carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, or bronze are all used. The cost and durability of a metal casket is directly related to the material from which the casket is made. 

Burial in a cemetery usually requires an outer burial container. A grave liner or a vault is almost universally required by every cemetery to protect the casket and the integrity of the grave space from the weight of the earth and the heavy equipment that will pass over the grave in order to provide routine maintenance of the property. Grave liners are no longer constructed on site and made of bricks. They are most often made of concrete. Grave liners do not seal. A vault can be made of concrete or fiberglass, with or without a metal liner. Vaults will have a seal. 

At this point you may be thinking, “who cares?” Well that is the thing, many people do care, and they care deeply. Others do not. This is the reason why the trip to the casket selection space at the funeral home and the process of helping a family make a choice that fits their values and budget is sensitive. Open communication regarding values and budget is essential. Funeral directors are there to help, answer questions, and explain differences. They educate and the family chooses.

So, what is the point of the vault? The point will vary from one family to the next. For some the point will be to satisfy the cemetery requirement as frugally as possible. For others the point will be to protect the integrity of the grave as much as possible. It is a matter of personal choice.

www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

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There are a million ways to say thank you. Great or small they all have value. · Decide to always just say thank you whenever you see a person in uniform.· When you see a person in uniform at the coffee shop or fast food restaurant pick up their tab if you can. · At the airport trade your first class or comfort seat for their standard seat· If you have a neighbor who is deployed offer to play catch with the kids or mow the lawn. Ask how you can help· Send a care package by contacting Operation Gratitude· Donate your old cell phone· Drive a Veteran to their doctor appointments (contact the hospital services coordinator at the local VA hospital)· Write a letter· Volunteer at a VA hospital· If you run a business hire a veteran - Hire Heroes USA· Donate dollars or time to train service dogs for veterans - Patriot Paws or Puppy Jake Foundation· Build a house for a veteran - Building Homes for HeroesBig dollars or only a few dollars, lots of time or only a little time, where there is a will there is a way to say thank you to those who serve in our military.www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Center is a family owned and operated funeral home in Elkhart, Indiana that’s been serving families of all faiths and backgrounds since 1954. They provide families in the Michiana area with professional funeral, memorial, and cremation services that are personalized and executed to the highest standards.
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