Why a Concrete Burial Vault? (Join NCBVA. Click for membership application)  New Concrete Vault Specifications ASTM Proposed Vault Information In most areas of the United States and Canada, a cemetery requires the casket to be enclosed within a burial vault or grave liner. There are vast differences in these two products. By definition a burial vault is a lined and sealed unit that is specifically engineered to support the weight of the earthe grave as well as the heavy equipment that passes over it. The weight of the earth and heavy equipment used to dig graves far exceeds what an unprotected casket can withstand. A burial vault made of specially formulated, reinforced concrete is designed to support these elements and more. Concrete becomes stronger as it continues to cure after being placed in the ground; so a vault properly buried years ago could actually be stronger today. Sealed, lined burial vaults are made to place protection from impact and the elements between the earth and the casketed remains of a loved one. Most concrete vaults are made to exceed cemetery requirements for strength and rigidity. Here's How Concrete Vault Protection Withstands Different Types of Loads There are several factors or types of loads that weigh upon a burial vault. Understanding the types of loads and how they each impact the burial vault is essential to understanding the importance of a quality lined burial vault. Static Load A static or stationary load is simply the weight of the earth that rests directly over a burial vault. This load has decreased since the 1920s. In most cemeteries today, the average grave has 18 inches of earth covering, which results in a static load of approximately 4,000 pounds (two tons).   Dynamic Load A dynamic load is a load that varies in intensity. This load is transferred to a burial vault as heavy cemetery equipment passes over the grave. The equipment used in cemeteries is much larger and heavier today. Some cemeteries use a backhoe, which weighs close to 25,000 pounds on average Impact Load An impact or shock load is produced by a mechanical tamper or the dropping of a backhoe bucket.and delivers a very concentrated force through the soil. This has an extreme effect on a small area of the burial vault cover at shallow grave depths