Funeral Merchandising: Outer Burial Containers

Concrete Burial Vault Characteristics

-2 Pieces; Base and Cap/Cover -May or may not be internally reinforced with smooth steel bar or rebar -Lined with wire mesh and other material to further strengthen structure and resist water entry

Common metal vault thicknesses range from

12 to 7 Gauge

The typical size of an OBC is

86" long and 30" wide

Concrete Sectional Liner

A grave liner consisting of 6 or 8 slabs of unfinished concrete placed around the casket in the grave.

Vault Closure Methods Include:

Air Seal Top Seal Double Seal

Grave Box

An outer enclosure consisting of a body and a one or two piece lid. Often has holes present in the base.

Burial Vault

An outer enclosure which offers protection from the earth load as well as possessing sealing qualities.

Grave Liner

An outer enclosure which offers protection from the earth load without protection from the elements.

Outer burial container

Any container which is designed for placement in the grave around the casket.

OBCs include

Burial vaults (grave boxes) Grave liners

Grave liners are most commonly made from

Concrete

The top seal method of closure is used by nearly every _____ burial vault.

Concrete

Vault Materials Include:

Concrete Metal Polymers/Fiberglass

Finished Vaults can be ____ and/or _____

Decorative Protective

Double Seal is AKA

Dome shaped

Similar to caskets, Vaults can be

Finished

2 Varieties of grave liners include

Grave Box Concrete Sectional Liner

Finished Vaults will/can include

Handles Painted a variety of colors Plaques/Emblems (Customized!)

Measurements of OBCs ate stayed according to

Inside dimensions

Polymer/Fiberglass Vaults

Lightweight and easy to transport

Impact Load

Load that OBC's encounter when a sudden and powerful application of force is introduced to a gravesite. Brief load creates tremendous stress for OBC. EX) Backhoe's bucket forcefully dropped on grave.

Dynamic Load

Load that varies in intensity and temporary. EX) Heavy machinery driving over an existing grave.

The air seal method of closure is employed by ____ burial vaults.

Metal

Top Seal

Method of closure that utilizes an epoxy compound in conjunction with tongue in groove construction at the top edge of the lid of the vault.

Air Seal

Method of closure that utilizes the air pressure created by placing the dome of the vault onto the base of the vault.

Double Seal

Method of closure that utilizes the principal of the air seal in conjunction with an epoxy material at the junction of the dome and and base of the vault.

Concrete burial vaults can be lined with

Polystyrene ABS Material (plastic) Asphalt Metal

Differential Loads

Short duration of increased static load. EX) When soil from a grave being excavated is placed on top of an existing grave. When the extra soil is removed, the OBC is relieved of the extra stress.

4 load types that directly affect OBCs

Static Differential Dynamic Impact

Metal Vaults include

Steel Stainless Steel (most common - galvanized SST) Copper (most common) Bronze

Vault purpose

Support the earth load and limit the intrusion of outside elements.

Air Seal is AKA

The Diving Bell Principal

Dome

The top of an air seal burial vault which entraps air as it is put into position; it also supports the weight of the earth above.

Metal Vaults are measured by

US Standard Gauge

Static Loads

Weight of soil above the OBC and the force exerted by the earth against the OBC's sides and bottom. Also includes the forces resulting from cyclic freezing/thawing of earth.

Grave liners are less commonly made from

Wood

Concrete Burial Vaults protect

from outside elements.