What Is a Burial Vault: Purpose, Cost, and Types
Many urban cemeteries require cement vaults, nowadays. But what are buried vaults and are they truly necessary?
A burial vault is a sturdy container, usually made from concrete or metal, that encases a casket underground. It safeguards the casket from the elements, and, more importantly, it prevents soil sinkage, allowing cemeteries to maintain their impeccable looks and increasing the safety of visitors.
Delve deeper into subsequent sections to gain insights into the specific purposes, variations, and key considerations associated with burial vaults.
What Is a Burial Vault
Burial vaults are underground encasements for coffins and caskets. Typically made from concrete or metal, they are strong boxes that receive the casket.
The benefits of using a burial vault are twofold. They preserve the coffin from environmental elements. The vaults don’t stop decay — nothing can do that — but they protect the casket from water, dirt, and most underground fauna.
But that’s not the reason why most urban cemeteries require burial vaults. The truth is that these strong boxes prevent soil subsidence. That helps massively in maintaining the integrity of the burial site and practically guarantees that no one will step into a sunken grave accidentally.
Burial vaults play a vital role in upholding the deceased’s dignity and contribute to the lasting stability and aesthetic appeal of the resting place.
Types of Burial Vault
Different materials are used for burial vault construction. Each type comes with its specific advantages and drawbacks.
Let’s explore these variations to make informed end-of-life decisions.
Concrete Burial Vaults
Burial vaults made of concrete, known for their durability and strength, provide robust protection for caskets or coffins in burial sites. Withstanding environmental factors, they ensure long-term stability and preservation, making them a reliable choice for those seeking lasting protection for their loved ones’ final resting place.
Concrete burial vaults are probably the most popular choice, which makes them accessible and relatively inexpensive, as many providers can make them.
Metal Burial Vaults
Metal burial vaults are crafted from durable materials like stainless steel, bronze, or copper.
Renowned for their resilience against environmental elements, these vaults offer secure, long-lasting preservation.
One of the benefits of metal burial vaults, beyond their strength, is the customization options. They include personalized engravings, unique designs of the entire vault, and various coatings.
This versatility allows families to tailor the final resting place according to their preferences and ensure enduring protection.
Composite Burial Vaults
Selecting a composite burial vault is a strategic choice that combines lightweight design with durability. Crafted from materials like polymers, fiberglass, or recycled elements, these vaults resist water and soil intrusion.
Choosing the right composite for a burial vault ensures not only effective protection and preservation but is also an environmentally conscious option, contributing to sustainable end-of-life practices.
Average Cost of a Burial Vault
While not always legally required, many cemeteries mandate vaults. The average cost of a burial vault is influenced by various factors, with the choice of material being a significant consideration:
- Concrete vaults range from $1,000 to $3,000
- Metal vaults from $1,200 to $5,000
- Composite vaults: $800 to $2,500
Location plays a significant role, with metropolitan areas having higher prices due to increased living costs and transportation expenses.
Additional features that can increase burial vault costs include customization (engravings, coatings), material upgrades, enhanced durability options, advanced sealing technology, extended warranties, and decorative elements.
Engaging with local funeral services is crucial to navigating costs effectively, complying with cemetery regulations, and aligning expenses with end-of-life preferences.
Benefits of Using a Burial Vault
Burial vaults offer a range of advantages, providing families with peace of mind and a lasting memorial for their loved ones.
- Environmental Advantages of Burial Vaults: In regions with high water tables where ground stability is a concern, burial vaults act as a safeguard, reinforcing the structural stability of burial sites. This prevents any undesirable shifting or settling of the soil, ensuring that cemetery grounds remain steadfast, well-maintained, and visually appealing for generations to come
- Long-lasting and durable — Constructed from durable materials like concrete, metal, or composites, burial vaults ensure the enduring stability of the burial site, withstanding environmental wear and tear
- Many personalization options — Families can personalize burial vaults with engravings or special coatings, adding unique touches to enhance the memorialization of their loved ones
- Meeting cemetery regulations — Burial vaults help families comply with cemetery regulations, as many cemeteries require their use, contributing to the overall integrity and uniformity of burial sites
While burial vaults are widely used, they have certain cons, too.
Disadvantages of Burial Vaults
Of late, burial vaults are among the most heavily scrutinized practices in the burial industry. Concerns range from unnecessary financial burden to environmental impact.
- Additional cost — One significant disadvantage of burial vaults is the added expense. While they offer benefits, the financial burden can be substantial. Families should carefully consider the costs of burial vaults when planning end-of-life arrangements. Direct cremations is among the most accessible and considerably cheaper alternatives.
- Environmental concerns — Despite claims from some funeral providers that vaults prevent embalming fluids from entering the soil, the overall environmental impact of burial vaults is a concern. They use a lot of materials to be constructed.
Indeed, a big part of the reason why green funerals are gaining popularity in recent years stems from these two considerable drawbacks.
Burial Vault Regulations and Requirements
Local authorities or cemeteries often have guidelines regarding the use of vaults, adherence to which is crucial and may include:
- Mandatory vault usage — Some cemeteries have mandatory vault usage policies, to maintain the structural integrity of the burial site
- Materials — Cemeteries may dictate permissible materials for burial vault construction, such as concrete, metal, or composite materials
- Dimensions — Guidelines may address length, width, and height considerations to ensure compatibility with cemetery infrastructure
- Environmental regulations — Environmental regulations may influence burial vault choices, emphasizing sustainable materials and practices to minimize ecological impact
- Burial vault provider — Some cemeteries may not allow external contractors to build on their premises
- Documentation — Common documentation requirements may include a burial permit, death certificate, and any specific forms mandated by local authorities
Checking these in advance is part of good end-of-life planning, as dealing with all of them in times of grief is likely to lead to rushed, suboptimal choices.
Explore all available options to make a well-informed and thoughtful decision for your funeral arrangements, from the use of vaults to the intricacies of mausoleums and traditional funerals.
Conclusion
In summary, burial vaults play a crucial role in preserving the integrity of burial sites, offering protection, durability, and personalization options.
From understanding the advantages and disadvantages to navigating regulations and costs, informed decision-making is essential. In this delicate process of making end-of-life arrangements, informed decisions contribute to a meaningful and respectful farewell.
To see a selection of burial vaults available on the market visit these manufacturers:
