Casket Vault Facts

A casket vault is used to minimize the settling of dirt around a casket after interment. This can reduce the need for maintenance of the grave site by preventing the soil from sinking.

History

The Boyd grave vault was invented in 1879 by a machinist in Ohio to prevent grave robberies and exhumations. During the Civil War, sealed vaults were used to protect and preserve the bodies of fallen soldiers.

Construction

Casket vaults are generally constructed of steel-reinforced concrete and lined with plastic. Some vaults have gaskets that create an air-tight seal to prevent deterioration of the casket.

Where to Purchase

Casket vaults can be purchased from the funeral home during casket selection or from the cemetery selected for interment.

Cemetery Requirements

Some cemeteries require the use of a casket vault or grave liner to prevent the grave from caving in over time.

Warning

A casket vault cannot preserve a body indefinitely. Some vaults do not seal and will not keep out dirt or protect the casket from water damage.

References

• "University of Florida IFAS Extension: Funeral Planning"; Nayda I. Torres and Josephine Turner; 2009
• "Bowling Green State University: The Way of Death in Bowling Green"; Ilana Nash
• "Univeristy of Buffalo/The State University of New York; Federal Trade Commission: Caskets and Burial Vaults"; December 1996