Outer Burial Enclosures or Vaults often are required
by cemeteries for burial. These enclosures are
intended to support the ground and avoid the possibility
of “grave collapse”. Outer burial enclosures may
be wood boxes (rarely used today), grave liners
(made of wood or concrete), concrete boxes or vaults.
There is a significant difference between vaults and
outer burial enclosures. Outer burial enclosures are
intended solely to support the soil. They add little protection
from outside elements (water, etc.) to the casket.
Vaults are designed specifically to help protect the
casket from surrounding elements, in addition to its
function of supporting the soil above the casket and
vault. Vaults are manufactured from various metals
(steel, stainless steel, copper and
bronze), concrete and composite
products. Metal, composite and
some concrete vaults are manufactured
using the “air seal principle.”
This can best be tested by inverting
a glass (a clear water glass will do) in a fish bowl filled
with water. The water, because of air pressure in the
glass, will be unable to penetrate into the glass very
far. “Air seal” vaults are designed with a base that
extends upward into the vault so that water and other
elements will be kept away from the casket.
Concrete vaults usually include inner liners. These
liners may be made of composite products, metal,
stainless steel, copper or bronze. Concrete vaults
generally are “top seal” products designed specifically
to mate the base of the top with the top of the base
portion of the vault. An adhesive is applied around
the surface to seal the top and base together.
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