A fun consumer question
One of the more intersting things I get to do at work is test my knowledge of Funeral trivia with random questions that come from non-clients that visit our site. Here's today's bit of trivia and my reply.
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 6:59 PM
To:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Question on caskets
Hello,
I am planning my funeral. I have one concern. I have watched several
exhumements on TV, and ALL the caskets and liners were completely full of
ground water. Is this common ? Is there any way to avoid water leakage by
purchasing a special liner ? Or will water still work it's way in and fill
up?
Thank you for your time,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
______________________
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 8:34 AM
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: RE: Question on caskets
Hello XXXXXX,
You may have better luck discussing this topic with a Cemeterian, since, my
specialty is Web Site development, and not necessarily Burial technology.
But, I'll tell you what I know about Caskets and Graveliners/Burial Vaults.
You can purchase caskets that have a "seal" on them. Although this does not
guarantee preservation of the remains, it does increase the protection that
the casket provides by blocking out some of the ground water and air that
can speed the decomposition process. The material that the casket is made of
also plays a role in the amount of protection provided for the remains. In
general, steel, stainless steel and precious metal caskets that are made of
bronze or copper offer the most protection from the elements. For steel
caskets, a thicker gauge (lower number means thicker in this case, so 12ga
is thicker than 18ga which is thicker than 20ga) means more protection, and
stainless steel offers more protection than standard steel. Precious metal
caskets offer the most protection, since they are least prone to corrosion.
Most cemeteries now also require a Burial Vault or Graveliner to prevent the
ground from sinking in after a burial. Graveliners are generally just
concrete boxes, and offer a minimum amount of additional protection beyond
supporting the weight of the soil that covers the grave. Burial vaults are
similar to caskets, in that the type of material determines the amount of
protection they offer. You can purchase vaults made of concrete, synthetic
composite materials, steel, stainless steel or precious metals, or various
combinations of these materials. Vaults also come with seals.
Thanks,
< my work signature and contact info >
_____________________
And look! I got me some validation. That's always fun!
______________________
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 1:00 PM
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: RE: Question on caskets
Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Actually, you
do know quite a bit. I think you answered my questions. I will contact a
Cemeterian as you advised, for additional information.
Thank you again,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 6:59 PM
To:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: Question on caskets
Hello,
I am planning my funeral. I have one concern. I have watched several
exhumements on TV, and ALL the caskets and liners were completely full of
ground water. Is this common ? Is there any way to avoid water leakage by
purchasing a special liner ? Or will water still work it's way in and fill
up?
Thank you for your time,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
______________________
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 8:34 AM
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: RE: Question on caskets
Hello XXXXXX,
You may have better luck discussing this topic with a Cemeterian, since, my
specialty is Web Site development, and not necessarily Burial technology.
But, I'll tell you what I know about Caskets and Graveliners/Burial Vaults.
You can purchase caskets that have a "seal" on them. Although this does not
guarantee preservation of the remains, it does increase the protection that
the casket provides by blocking out some of the ground water and air that
can speed the decomposition process. The material that the casket is made of
also plays a role in the amount of protection provided for the remains. In
general, steel, stainless steel and precious metal caskets that are made of
bronze or copper offer the most protection from the elements. For steel
caskets, a thicker gauge (lower number means thicker in this case, so 12ga
is thicker than 18ga which is thicker than 20ga) means more protection, and
stainless steel offers more protection than standard steel. Precious metal
caskets offer the most protection, since they are least prone to corrosion.
Most cemeteries now also require a Burial Vault or Graveliner to prevent the
ground from sinking in after a burial. Graveliners are generally just
concrete boxes, and offer a minimum amount of additional protection beyond
supporting the weight of the soil that covers the grave. Burial vaults are
similar to caskets, in that the type of material determines the amount of
protection they offer. You can purchase vaults made of concrete, synthetic
composite materials, steel, stainless steel or precious metals, or various
combinations of these materials. Vaults also come with seals.
Thanks,
< my work signature and contact info >
_____________________
And look! I got me some validation. That's always fun!
______________________
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 1:00 PM
To: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Subject: RE: Question on caskets
Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX,
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Actually, you
do know quite a bit. I think you answered my questions. I will contact a
Cemeterian as you advised, for additional information.
Thank you again,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX