The Value of A Vault

By Silvio Ribeiro

Having met with thousands of families to plan a funeral, one question we often are asked is: “Why do I need to buy a vault or outer burial container?”

This is a great question that we will try to answer. Most often the use of a vault (also called an outer burial container) is a cemetery requirement, not a state or city requirement. A vault not only keeps a cemetery looking beautiful and serene, but it also protects the casket within from the crushing force of the earth that is filled into the grave. Since the earth is always shifting, this can cause headstones and monuments to sink into the ground or even fall over and break. Not only is granite costly to replace, but this is hazardous to cemetery staff and families who visit their loved one’s grave.

Depending on the design, some vaults will delay the process of earth and elements getting into the outer wall and breaching the casket. This can especially be valuable in the case of disinterment, when a previously buried casket is removed from the grave. Disinterments, while rare, do happen for various reasons, such as investigations, land ownership disputes, and even moving someone to a new resting site.

Thankfully planning a funeral is not something we are tasked with very often, so it is natural to wonder why many cemeteries require the use of a vault. A good funeral director will always work on your behalf to understand the cemetery’s requirements; a great funeral director will ensure that you understand those requirements as well.

The Value of A Vault