Why Is It Necessary To Have A Burial Vault?
Though not mandated by law in all states, most cemeteries do require an outside container. A burial vault is a protective outer container for the casket. The primary purpose of a burial vault is that it protects the casket from settling and keeps the ground intact, thus preserving the beauty of the memorial park or cemetery. Many families select a burial vault for the additional peace of mind it brings.

Why Burial Vaults Offer A Level Of Protection?
In this day and age heavy equipment is commonplace in cemeteries across the country. Dump trucks, tractors and backhoes are needed for opening and closing graves. A sturdy, well-built vault provides protection from the resisting loads of that equipment stated above. All of FuneralMarkets.com burial vaults are designed to protect the casket from the different types of loads that are put forth from heavy equipment.

Understanding Resisting Loads And How They Impact The Burial Vault.
In order to understand the importance of a burial vault, you must first realize the type of loads that are exerted on a burial vault.

Static Load: Is simply the weight of the earth that rests directly over a burial vault. In most cemeteries, the average grave has approximately 4,000 pounds of static load on the vault itself.

Impact Load: This is a shock load produced by the dropping of a backhoe bucket and delivers a concerted force through the ground. The average grave has approximately 18 inches of earth covering the vault, so any direct concentrated force can have an extreme effect on any burial vault not of superior quality.

Dynamic Load: Is a load that varies in intensity. This load is transferred to a burial vault as heavy equipment passes over the grave. Some heavy-duty equipment used in cemeteries can weigh as much as 20,000 pounds.