Casket Vaults and Burial Vaults

What Is a Casket Vault?

A casket vault — also called a burial vault, funeral vault, or outer burial container — is a protective enclosure placed inside the grave before the casket is lowered in. The vault surrounds the casket on all sides, creating a sealed barrier against soil pressure, groundwater, and the weight of cemetery maintenance equipment that passes over the gravesite. Most cemeteries in the United States require some form of outer burial container to maintain level grounds and prevent the surface from sinking over time. Even when not required, many families choose a casket vault for the added peace of mind that the casket will remain intact and undisturbed.

Polymer vs. Concrete Burial Vaults

Polymer casket vaults are constructed from high-density polystyrene or polypropylene and engineered to withstand extreme ground pressure. The burial vaults available at Memorials.com are rated for over 8,000 pounds per square inch and are sealed to be completely water and air tight. Polymer construction makes these vaults significantly lighter than concrete, which simplifies delivery and cemetery installation while providing equal or superior protection.

Concrete burial vaults are the traditional option offered by most funeral homes and are typically the most expensive. Concrete vaults are heavy, require specialized equipment to set, and are sold at substantial markups through funeral home partnerships. Polymer vaults offer a practical alternative at a fraction of the cost without sacrificing structural integrity or protective performance. Many families are unaware that they can purchase a burial vault independently and have it shipped directly to the cemetery, bypassing funeral home pricing entirely. If you are comparing options, our vault requirements guide covers what cemeteries typically accept.

Cemetery Vault Requirements

Cemetery vault requirements vary by location, so it is important to check with your specific cemetery before purchasing. Most cemeteries require an outer burial container of some kind — either a full vault with a sealed lid or a simpler grave liner. A sealed coffin vault provides the highest level of protection, enclosing the casket completely and preventing moisture and soil from reaching the exterior. A grave liner, by contrast, only covers the top and sides. Our polymer burial vaults meet or exceed the requirements of most cemeteries nationwide. We recommend confirming your cemetery's specifications before ordering, and our customer service team can help verify compatibility.

Choosing the Right Vault for Casket Burial

Standard adult vaults are sized to accommodate full-size caskets and are the most common choice for traditional burial. These vaults fit standard 83-inch interior-length caskets and are available in multiple color and finish options.

Child and infant vaults are scaled down for smaller child caskets and infant caskets. These vaults use the same durable polymer construction and pressure rating as adult models, ensuring the same level of protection regardless of size.

Oversized vaults are available for families who need a larger enclosure. If you are purchasing an oversized or wide casket, contact our team to confirm vault compatibility and dimensions.

When selecting a funeral vault, consider the cemetery's specific requirements, the size of the casket, and whether a fully sealed vault or a basic grave liner is needed. If you need help choosing a casket to pair with your vault, our selection includes wood, metal, green, and military options.

Burial Vaults vs. Urn Vaults

Casket burial vaults and urn vaults serve the same protective purpose but are sized for different containers. A casket vault is large enough to hold a full-size casket, while an urn vault is a smaller enclosure designed for a cremation urn. If your family is considering cremation rather than traditional burial, our urn vault selection includes polymer models with the same water and air tight seal. For more on how urn vaults work and when they are required, see our vault requirements guide linked above.

Helpful Resources

Planning a burial involves many decisions beyond the vault itself. These guides cover related topics that families often research alongside burial vault options:

How Much Does a Funeral Cost? — a breakdown of average funeral expenses including caskets, vaults, and cemetery fees.

What Are the Different Types of Caskets? — an overview of casket materials, styles, and features to help with your selection.

Cremation vs. Burial — a comparison of both options for families still weighing their choices.

Free Shipping on Every Burial Vault

Every cemetery vault and casket vault at Memorials.com ships free directly to your cemetery or funeral home. Our vaults are available at a fraction of the price typically charged by funeral homes, with no hidden fees or markups. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, cemeteries are required to accept casket vaults purchased from third-party retailers, so you can order with confidence. If you have questions about vault sizing, cemetery compatibility, or delivery logistics, our customer service team is available to help you find the right fit.