Caskets Cap Openings

4 Basic Styles 1) perfection full-couch 2) perfection half-couch 3) single hinged panel 4) slip panel (slip top, priest casket)

Shell Designs 4 basic styles: 1) elliptic 2) octagon 3) round corner: “curved corner formed by the addition of a rounded corner piece that has been stamped or milled during the manufacturing process. The corner is welded in position.” 4) Square/miter corner: “sides and ends are joined at a 90 degree angle”

Body Panels 1) flaring square 2) vertical side 3) urnside

Cap Closure Gasket: Locking Mechanisms on Gasketed Caskets: 1) Sliding Lock Bar 2) Lever Lock 3) Threaded Fastener

Closing Mechanisms on Non-gasketed Caskets 1) Latch Closure 2) Threaded Fastener 3) Chemical Compounds: butyl tape or epoxies 4) Hermetically Sealed

Casket Sizes Metal: 23/24 X 78 inches (6 ½ feet) Wood: 22 X 75 inches Interior height 16-24 inches Wood: 22 X 75 inches Interior height 16-22 inches Oversize Caskets: “X” = +2 inches width and +3 inches in length “XX” = +4 inches width and +6 inches in length Standard burial vault = 30 X 86 inches

Infant and Children’s Caskets Range = 12 inches to 5 feet 6 inches Increase in 6 inch increments. Widths are proportional to length. Vacuum-formed or injection-molded polymer plastics are common. Many are combination units.

Outer Burial Container Vaults “an outer enclosure which offers protection from the earth load as well as possessing sealing qualities” Outer Burial Container “any container which is designed for placement in the grave around the casket, but not limited to containers, commonly known as burial vaults, grave boxes and grave liners”

Purpose of Vault 1) support the weight of the earth over the grave (earth load/static load) 2) limit the intrusion of outside elements differential load: short duration dynamic load: varies in intensity impact load: sudden and powerful application of force Standard dimension: 30 X 86 inches

Concrete Vaults May or may not be internally reinforced: smooth steel bar/rebar Lining materials: polystyrene, ABS, stainless steel, copper, bronze, asphalt Exterior treatments: decorative and/or protective Galvanized: “steel that has been coated with zinc for increased resistance to rust”

Metal Vaults Most common: steel, stainless steel, and copper Common thickness: 12-7 gauge Shallow base and a top/dome Uses the “diving bell” principle Dome: “the top of an air seal burial vault which entraps air as it is put in position; it also supports the weight of the earth above”

Fiberglass and Polymer Vaults Often use air seal principle but some use the top seal principle.

Methods of Vault Closure Top Seal: “utilizes an epoxy compound in conjunction with tongue-in-groove construction at the top edge and the lid of the vault” Air Seal: “utilizes the air pressure created by placing the dome of the vault onto the base of the vault” Double Seal: “a method of closure that utilizes the principle of the air seal in conjunction with an epoxy material at the junction of the dome and the base of the vault”

Grave Liners Purpose: support the weight of the earth covering the grave Materials used: concrete, wood, polymer and fiberglass Types: grave box - “an outer enclosure consisting of a body and a one or two piece lid” sectional/concrete sectional – “a grave liner consisting of 6 or 8 slabs of unfinished concrete placed around the casket”