Why do we bury bodies in caskets?

Why do we bury bodies in caskets?

To Preserve the Body Most people want the bodies of public figures or loved ones protected from decay. A coffin may provide a safe atmosphere that helps protect and preserve the body, preventing the soil from entering the body through moisture and bacteria and speeding its decomposition.

How long does a concrete burial vault last?

50 to 100 years

Are burial vaults waterproof?

Burial vaults measure about 2½” thick and are reinforced with a heavy gauge wire mesh. The cover seals onto the vault with a strip of tar methodically sealed into the grooves. It is virtually waterproof because it’s also lined with a copper or plastic liner.

What is purpose of burial vault?

A burial vault is a lined and sealed outer receptacle that houses the casket. It protects the casket from the weight of the earth and heavy maintenance equipment that will pass over the grave. It also helps resist water and preserves the beauty of the cemetery or memorial park by preventing the ground from settling.

Does water get into a casket?

Coffins are not watertight so when the grave fills with water it also fills the coffin, which decomposes and rots the bodies faster. This is the vile reality: As bodies bloat and rot in the rancid groundwater, they leach broken down body tissue and lethal formaldehyde into the surrounding ground.

Are all burial vaults considered outer burial containers?

What is an outer burial container? Simply put, an outer burial container is used when either a casket or an urn is buried. They typically come in two forms: the grave liner or the burial vault. Outer burial containers are most often made of reinforced concrete (they also come in plastic and metal).

What is the difference between a burial vault and a grave liner?

A grave liner is a reinforced concrete box with drainage holes in bottom and no seals of any kind. A vault is also a reinforced concrete box, but has additional polystyrene liners or metal liners inside the box and has butyl seals between the lid and box. They are designed to keep the elements away from the casket.