For an underground tomb, see Burial vault (tomb)

Burial vault (tomb)

A burial vault is a structural underground tomb.It is a stone or brick-lined underground space or 'burial' chamber for the interment of a dead body or bodies. They were originally and are still often vaulted and usually have stone slab entrances...

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A burial vault is a sturdy box designed to protect the coffin

Coffin

A coffin is a funerary box used in the display and containment of dead people – either for burial or cremation.Contemporary North American English makes a distinction between "coffin", which is generally understood to denote a funerary box having six sides in plan view, and "casket", which...

 inside of it. The body is placed within the coffin, which is then placed inside the vault. Body, coffin, and vault are buried

Burial

Burial is the act of placing a person or object into the ground. This is accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing an object in it, and covering it over.-History:...

. A burial vault serves as an outer enclosure for buried remains; the coffin serves as an inner enclosure.

Vaults are made of concrete, plastic or metal. Unlike a grave liner, which only covers the top and sides of the coffin, a vault completely encloses a coffin. Burial vaults are primarily used to keep the weight of the ground from crushing a buried coffin, and also to keep the ground above from sinking in. Manufacturers also state that their vaults can be sealed to keep water and other elements out. In many cases, cemeteries

Cemetery

A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...

 require either a vault or liner to keep the ground over grave sites from sinking in. This gives the ground a neat and even appearance, and helps reduce the chance of a person tripping on sunken ground.

Contrary to popular belief, regardless of whether or not the body is embalmed, a vault will not prevent decomposition of the body. The use of burial vaults is almost exclusively confined to the United States of America.

External links

• Undertaking at the United States Patent and Trademark Office