The Differences Between Grave Liners and Burial Vaults

There are different solutions for casket protection, and the suitable outer container differs from individual to individual. One thing funeral homes in Voorhees Township, NJ, agree on is there are two primary categories: grave liners and burial vaults.

What are the differences between them? And which one should you choose? We explain all of this below.

What is a Burial Vault?

A burial vault is an outer burial container made of concrete, plastic, or metal that completely encloses a casket.

It protects the casket against moisture and other elements like soil and oil. Burial vaults also shield the surrounding earth and keep it from caving in under external pressure.

What is a Grave Liner?

Similarly, a grave liner encloses a casket in a burial plot. It can either be a partial or full enclosure. It can also be made of concrete, plastic, or metal.

Grave liners come in two distinct types: one with a removable lid, and the other is a bottomless box with top and side coverage.

The Differences between Burial Vault and Grave Liner

The primary difference between a burial vault and a grave liner is the level of protection. A burial vault covers all four sides, while a grave liner does not.

As a result, grave liners are not waterproof, and several of them have drainage holes in the base for moisture control. This limits the quality of protection against the elements and surrounding dirt.

On the other hand, burial vaults are watertight, and the lid is irremovable. Once the coffin is in, the cover is secured to the base with a tape seal that keeps it from sliding away.

This difference in protection plays into the pricing. The average price of a grave liner is between $500 to$1400, while burial vaults range from $900 to $4000.

Other secondary differences are warranty and customization. Grave liners have no to narrow warranties, while burial vaults have extensive to lifetime warranties.

Vaults are also more customizable, and families can add a personal touch to the design. On the other hand, grave liners have a more straightforward design and are mainly used to meet cemetery requirements.

Do You Need Either?

From these differences, it appears buyers have two options. Save money with a grave liner, accept its limitations, or get a more secured burial vault and spend more.

There’s a third option. Do neither. The simplest alternative is cremation. Even if you wish to bury the remains, urn vaults are smaller and, thus, cheaper without compromising quality.

If cremation is not an option for you, ask your funeral home if you can get a plot in a green cemetery. Green cemeteries do not require an outer burial container, and you can avoid the stress of trying to choose.

Our Voorhees Township, NJ funeral home can help you make necessary arrangements for a green burial. You can also reach out to us if you’ve decided on an outer container and need a funeral home to finalize the arrangements. Call us to set up an appointment with our funeral director or visit our location now for any of our services you need