On outer burial containers..

A lot of people want to know the differences between outer containers
that would house a casket upon it's burial. 

The majority of cemeteries now require some type of container to put
the casket in. Briefly...here is the difference.

First, the concrete box or chest as it most frequently called.
The chest is basically just a concrete box with a lid that is placed
on it after the casket is lowered into it. It may have a slight 'groove' on
the chest where the lid rests. However, on most chests there is no
sealant or gasket of any kind placed between the two pieces...
the result....if the grave is wet or in a place under ground water is
present.. there is a chance water could enter the unit and enshroud
the casket. And, once water enters the unit, there is no way for it
to escape. So: the chest's main purpose is to protect the casket
from crushing by the earth when the grave is back filled... and also
keeps from crushing the casket over the years as the ground settles
or other work is done near the grave site by cemetery workers with
tractors etc. 

Second; the burial vault. The burial vault usually refers to a concrete
or steel burial unit that has at least a lining of some type inside the
concrete...and some type of sealant material between the unit and
the cover itself... once the lid is lowered into it's 'tounge and groove'...
the sealant is pushed out...closing the gap. Most burial vault companies
have guarantees on their burial vaults, saying they will not allow
any water into the unit to damage and casket and the body.
I've found out over the years... most people want to have a good
vault. Most people want their loved one's bodies protected, and the
casket that the body is in.

I have done a few exhumations over the years, and have found that
the burial vault is the best buy by far.

Your local funeral director can help you pick out the right
container for your families needs.. and will show you the
features of both. 

This is just one of the many questions I get asked when I go out to
do a presentation on the book, Undertakings. Hope this has helped
you to some degree!