What is a Burial Vault for?

With all the options and costs of planning a funeral event, you might be wondering what is necessary and what is not. If you have started looking at funeral homes in Berkley, MI, you might have some questions about burial vaults and if they are something that you need.

Burial vaults and grave liners are different kinds of containers that go outside the casket. They create a barrier between the material of the vessel and the earth to help protect the cemetery grounds. They will help make a support system so that the land above the grave doesn’t become unstable or collapse. It’s not uncommon for a cemetery to have this as an additional requirement to help protect the area’s integrity.

The Vault

The vault is a container that will hold the casket once it is placed into the cemetery plot. It can be seen as a concrete box that’s been reinforced and contains a metal or plastic liner inside it that will create a seal between the box and the lid. The design intends to keep any dirt or water separate from the casket to keep it in the best condition possible as long as possible. The vault will also contribute to keeping the headstone safe by supporting the ground under and around it.

The Liner

The liner is essentially a container placed in the ground in the plot that will help keep the cemetery grounds intact. It is different from a vault, whose primary purpose is not to protect or seal the casket. It can come in a dome or box and its primary purpose is to keep the ground above the casket stabilized and prevent it from falling in. Grave liners are usually made for concrete, and due to their porousness water, will reach the coffin, which can cause deterioration.

Do you Need One?

There are no state, federal, or local governments that will require a burial vault, but the cemetery most likely will. The requirement is to keep the grounds stabilized and protect the landscaping of the cemetery property. If you have chosen a specific cemetery that you want to bury your loved one in, you may have to purchase one depending on the facility’s needs.

Materials

The grave liners and bolts both come in a wide array of materials, including:

• reinforced plastic
• copper
• wire and steel rods
• bronze
• steel
• concrete

Quality with Care

Multiple details go into planning a service for a loved one, and it may feel overwhelming at times, especially when you are going through a process of grief on top of trying to make arrangements. So it is imperative you have the proper support to help you through the steps.

Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors understand the complexities that come with trying to create a funeral service that honors your loved one. If you are looking at funeral homes in Berkley, MI, we want you to know that we are here to help you through the processes, so give us a call today to get started.