When a family wishes to bury a loved one’s cremated remains in a cemetery they should be prepared to invest in an urn vault.

So you might be asking yourself, “How much does an urn vault cost?”

For anyone who isn’t familiar, an urn vault is a sturdy receptacle designed to protect an urn and the cremated remains it houses from outside elements and the downward soil pressure caused by heavy cemetery maintenance equipment.

Most cemeteries require an urn vault to help preserve their grounds by preventing the grave from collapsing or over-settling.

There is variance in the pricing of urn vaults and this blog aims to give readers a general idea of costs based on several key aspects.

Vault Materials

The type of material(s) an urn vault is made from is a big factor in how much it costs.

Products that have a concrete core are the strongest and most durable vaults on the market today. From a retail price standpoint, a baseline unit will range roughly anywhere from $400 to $600.

The National Concrete Burial Vault Association sets the industry standards for a concrete urn vault’s structural integrity.

For the purposes of consistency and to avoid adverse variables, they require a minimum compressive strength of 5,000 pounds per square inch upon burial. Products that meet these guidelines are priced accordingly.

In most cases, an urn vault made entirely of plastic will cost less than a concrete product.

With that being said, the material’s grade and thickness will in large part determine the out-of-pocket expense a family can expect to incur.

There are several other types of urn vaults that are made from materials such as wood, ceramic, and wicker.

And while certain styles can be purchased from online retailers for as little as $75 or less, they typically aren’t lined, don’t come with a warranty, and aren’t as structurally sound as conventional receptacles.

Level of Protection

The extent to which an urn vault can safeguard against a burial site caving in and resist subsoil elements also impacts pricing.

Products that use a combination of plastic, concrete, and metal layers provide the maximum amount of protection and sustainability.

The proven longevity and effectiveness of the layered support will be reflected in an urn vault’s cost.

An urn vault with a strong tape seal that secures its cover to the base will likely have a slightly higher price tag than one that does not. This is a justified cost, as such an adhesive helps keep the vault space clean and dry.

The highest quality urn vaults are designed to be both durable and airtight. Trigard urn vaults, for example, have the thickest cover in the industry and come with up to four layers of protection.

Every unit has a vacuum formed heavy polymer liner, a tongue-and-groove tape seal, and an arched cover that helps distribute the weight of the soil to the unit’s perimeter. They are cost-effective and budget friendly.

Personalization & Embellishments

Many families perceive personalization as a way to create a more memorable graveside service.

Customization features prompt memories that start the bereaved on a path to healthy healing. Whether they pay an extra $50 or $250 will depend on their selections.

Depending on the style of an urn vault, meaningful aesthetic features such as photo appliqués, emblems, and words of endearment can be added to its side and/or cover.

Decorative finishes, columns, and moldings can also enhance its appearance. Simply adding a name plate can make the vault unique to the person being memorialized.

Supply Chain and Logistics

A final contributing factor to cost is supply chain and logistics. This is especially true of concrete vaults with polymer components.

In most cases, the plastic(s) parts are manufactured by a thermoforming company.

For instance, the corporate headquarters for Trigard are located in Danville, Illinois. This plant vacuums (thermoforms) plastic sheets into functioning urn vault liners.

Once the parts are created, they are shipped to the local distributors and dealers who are responsible for pouring reinforced concrete and completing final preparations. These brand representatives deliver and set up urn vaults at the gravesite.

Funeral homes and cemeteries handle an urn vault’s point of purchase. They serve as an intermediary who negotiates with the local distributor and end consumer (families) to arrive at retail pricing.

The price of an urn vault is also partially determined by freight costs that correlate to how close the manufacturer, local distributor, and cemetery are to one another.

Find Out More About Urn Vault Costs

In addition to gaining a general understanding regarding urn vault cost, families will need to decide which features meet their tastes and give them the most peace of mind that their loved one’s cremated remains will be protected for years to come.

Funeral directors and cemetery representatives are trained to help clients discover the different materials, styles, and price ranges of urn vaults offered at their location.

Here at Trigard, we are committed to providing families with the highest quality products at an affordable price.

To learn more about urn vault options, give us a call today at 1 (800) 637-1992. You may also email us at [email protected].