FAQ

A burial vault is a sturdy outer burial receptacle designed to enclose a casket. Concrete burial vaults provide structural support around the casket and help protect the grave space from the pressures of the surrounding soil and cemetery maintenance equipment. NCBVA-certified burial vaults are manufactured to meet established industry performance standards.

The NCBVA defines a concrete graveliner as a burial receptacle placed in the ground in a cemetery, either sectional, dome or box form designed and built to support the weight of the earth and standard cemetery maintenance equipment and to prevent the grave from collapsing.

A burial vault and a grave liner are both outer burial receptacles, but they are not the same. A grave liner typically covers the top and sides of a casket, while a burial vault is designed to completely enclose the casket and generally includes a separate cover that is sealed to the body of the vault. Burial vault construction and performance can vary, so families should ask their funeral home or cemetery about specific requirements.

For the purposes of consistency and to avoid as many variables as possible, the NCBVA requires a compressive strength of a minimum of 5,000 psi at twenty-eight days of age.

Burial vaults are not universally required by state or federal law. Requirements can vary depending on the cemetery, local regulations, and other circumstances. Many cemeteries establish their own requirements for outer burial receptacles. Families should check with the cemetery or funeral home to determine what is required for a particular burial.

Some cemeteries require the use of an outer burial receptacle, such as a burial vault or grave liner, while others may have different requirements. Cemetery policies can vary based on location and the cemetery's rules. Before making funeral arrangements, families should ask the cemetery what type of outer burial receptacle is required.

Burial vaults are used to provide structural support around a casket and help maintain the integrity of the grave space. They can help reduce the potential for the ground above a grave to settle and provide additional protection for the casket from the pressures of surrounding soil and cemetery maintenance activities.

The lifespan of a concrete burial vault can vary depending on its construction, materials, environmental conditions, and other factors. Quality concrete construction and proper manufacturing are important to the long-term performance of a burial vault. NCBVA-certified manufacturers follow established industry standards designed to promote consistent quality and performance.

Not all burial vaults should be described as completely waterproof. Burial vaults are designed to provide structural protection and, depending on their construction and sealing system, may provide varying levels of resistance to water. Families should ask their funeral professional or burial vault provider about the specific characteristics of the product being selected.

NCBVA burial vault standards establish minimum performance requirements for concrete burial vaults manufactured by certified producers. Among the requirements is a minimum compressive strength of 5,000 PSI for the concrete used in certified burial vaults. The standards are intended to promote consistent manufacturing quality and structural performance.

NCBVA certification identifies burial vault manufacturing plants that meet the association's established standards and certification requirements. The NCBVA certification program includes evaluation of manufacturing facilities and verification that certified products meet applicable performance standards. Consumers and funeral professionals can use the NCBVA directory to identify certified manufacturers and plants.

NCBVA stands for the National Concrete Burial Vault Association. The NCBVA is a national trade association representing the concrete burial vault industry. The association promotes quality and professionalism within the industry and provides standards, certification, education, resources, and industry information for manufacturers, funeral professionals, cemeteries, and consumers.