Baltimore, MD cremation is becoming more common because it gives families options for services as well as final resting places. Some families who go with cremation scatter ashes while others keep them in their homes within urns. And there are also families that move forward with burial after cremation. For families who choose to bury cremated ashes, a burial container, or vault, might be necessary.
If you’ve never dealt with cremations and subsequent burials before, you might think you simply bury the urn in a cemetery plot and that’s it. Many cemeteries require vaults as burial containers, but you might not know why or even what they are.
Burial containers, vaults, began as a form of crime prevention, but today they are used in traditional burials as well as when burying cremation urns. Modern burial vaults are lined, sealed receptacles that surround the casket or urn on all sides. They are kind of like grave liners, only grave liners just cover the top and sides of the casket. These outer containers are made from reinforced concrete and are sometimes combined with lining materials like high-impact plastic, or metals.
Vaults and liners do not prevent the decomposition of a buried body or perseveration of the urns and most states don’t require the containers, but some cemeteries do. If you choose a cemetery that recommends a burial container, or even requires it, it is important to know more about it.
Fully sealed burial containers help prevent the urn and the contents of the urn from things underground that could damage it like tree roots. The vaults protect the tops of the graves. Over time, the urn could collapse under the weight of the soil and the machinery that goes over the top of it, into the cemetery to dig other graves. When the urn collapses, the soil above could fall in and create a hold. That can damage the image of the cemetery and cause a tripping hazard for others.
Initially, the burial vaults kept criminals from robbing graves of valuables, clothing, or even remains. The vaults used to be made of wood, but were upgraded to things like brick, iron, or steel. Eventually, families stopped burying loved ones with valuables like jewelry and the vaults became known for their structural values instead.
Not every cemetery will require a vault, like green cemeteries that want natural options that are environmentally friendly. But if you are considering burying an urn, look into the options and talk with professionals and the cemetery in question to get things worked out.
Organize your loved one’s cremation in Baltimore, MD with Hari P. Close Funeral Service, P.A. by calling (410) 327-3100. We’re here to help with all of the details, including a cemetery burial, if you choose to go that route. We’re located at 5126 Belair Rd Baltimore, MD 21206 and you can talk with our funeral director there. We can also show you around our facilities to make you more comfortable with our processes in general.
