A burial vault assembly includes a box that may contain a corpse. The box may be buried underground having the corpse being vertically oriented. Thus, the box occupies less space in a graveyard than a casket. A lid is selectively positioned on the box and the lid closes the box. A seal is coupled to the lid and the seal is comprised of a resiliently compressible material. Thus, the seal forms a fluid impermeable seal with the box when the lid is positioned on the box to inhibit decomposition gases from escaping the box.

A process for low waste production of funerary urns includes the steps of providing cremain as a powder having a particulate size of between approximately 0.1 micron and approximately 1000 microns, providing composite material as a powder having a particulate size of between approximately 0.1 micron and approximately 1000 microns, placing the cremain and composite material into an input container of a 3D printer, wherein the composite material and the cremain are mixed to have at least approximately 20% by volume of the cremain, generating a 3D printer input file corresponding to at least one urn shape, and, based upon the input 3D printer input file, printing the at least one urn shape from the mixture with the 3D printer. The volume of the cremain can be as much as approximately 50%.

A casket assembly includes a bottom panel, side panels, flaps and end panels. The bottom panel is formed of a pliable material. The side panels and end panels are coupled to the bottom panel. Each side panel includes a lower section and an upper section foldably attached thereto. The lower section extends vertically upward from the bottom panel. In a first configuration, the upper section extends upward from the lower section. In a second configuration, the upper section extends downward from a top of the lower section. In a third configuration, the upper section extends in a non-vertical direction from the top of the lower section. The flaps extend laterally from each end of the upper section. The flaps in the first configuration extend upward from a first vertical level defined by the top portion of the lower section, and in the second configuration extend downward from the first vertical level.

A casket assembly includes a bottom panel, side panels, flaps and end panels. The bottom panel is formed of a pliable material. The side panels and end panels are coupled to the bottom panel. Each side panel includes a lower section and an upper section foldably attached thereto. The lower section extends vertically upward from the bottom panel. In a first configuration, the upper section extends upward from the lower section. In a second configuration, the upper section extends downward from a top of the lower section. In a third configuration, the upper section extends in a non-vertical direction from the top of the lower section. The flaps extend laterally from each end of the upper section. The flaps in the first configuration extend upward from a first vertical level defined by the top portion of the lower section, and in the second configuration extend downward from the first vertical level.

A coffin or container that can be erected or assembled from a substantially knock down or flat state, which includes:a primary tension panel;a pair of side panels; anda pair of end panels; wherein, in an assembled form, an end of each said side panel is releasably attached to each end panel via complementary engaging features on each side panel to define a substantially quadrilateral wall, such that said primary tension panel, when located substantially within said wall, places at least said side panels in tension to thereby retain said primary tension panel within said wall and define, at least in part, a cavity.

A coffin or container that can be erected or assembled from a substantially knock down or flat state, which includes:a primary tension panel;a pair of side panels; anda pair of end panels; wherein, in an assembled form, an end of each said side panel is releasably attached to each end panel via complementary engaging features on each side panel to define a substantially quadrilateral wall, such that said primary tension panel, when located substantially within said wall, places at least said side panels in tension to thereby retain said primary tension panel within said wall and define, at least in part, a cavity.

Body containment constructions, materials, and methods of use for bio-cremation processes are disclosed. Preferably, the containment constructions of the present invention provide the functionality of liquid containment and also the functionality of body presentment for viewing purposes, if desired, in addition to bio-degradability. Advantageously, liquid containment is provided in a body containment construction that is sufficiently liquid impervious, allows for body transport by sufficient structural support, and is decomposable within the time period for a bio-cremation process. More preferably, the containment construction will dissolve or decompose within a normal procedural time period without leaving any component remaining from the containment construction. According to an aspect of the present invention, a body containment bag is provided that is made from a structural material that is combined with a liquid containment material and one or more closures, wherein the body containment bag is effectively usable for bio-cremation during which all components of the body containment bag can effectively decompose by alkaline hydrolysis. Methods of making and of utilizing a body containment bag for decomposition are also disclosed.

Body containment constructions, materials, and methods of use for bio-cremation processes are disclosed. Preferably, the containment constructions of the present invention provide the functionality of liquid containment and also the functionality of body presentment for viewing purposes, if desired, in addition to bio-degradability. Advantageously, liquid containment is provided in a body containment construction that is sufficiently liquid impervious, allows for body transport by sufficient structural support, and is decomposable within the time period for a bio-cremation process. More preferably, the containment construction will dissolve or decompose within a normal procedural time period without leaving any component remaining from the containment construction. According to an aspect of the present invention, a body containment bag is provided that is made from a structural material that is combined with a liquid containment material and one or more closures, wherein the body containment bag is effectively usable for bio-cremation during which all components of the body containment bag can effectively decompose by alkaline hydrolysis. Methods of making and of utilizing a body containment bag for decomposition are also disclosed.

An improved cemetery experience whereby the cemetery and accompanying facilities may celebrate and demonstrate the passion and hobbies of the deceased individual. The contemplated themed cemetery may be a stand-alone cemetery that celebrates a common passion of a plurality of individuals, yet still maintains the traditional burial and memorialization process. The themed cemetery may take a specific event, or commonly understood and loved location and memorialize that location in the theme of a cemetery where those with that common interest and enjoyment of the commonly understood location may desire to be buried. The cemetery would closely resemble both visually, and physically a replica of the theme being celebrated and may provide space for the deceased while still providing adequate income and revenue in the way of advertising for the operator.

The invention provides a flat-pack coffin made of environmentally friendly materials, the coffin comprising a lid, left- and right-hand side panels, head and foot end panels and a base assembly, wherein each right- and left-hand side panel independently has a top edge, a bottom edge, a head end edge and a foot end edge, each side panel independently being provided with a plurality of downwardly extending locking protrusions on the bottom edge for insertion into the base assembly and a slot on each end edge for accepting a connector from an end panel; wherein each foot and head end panel independently has a top edge, a bottom edge, an interior face and an exterior face, each end panel independently being provided with a plurality of downwardly extending protrusions on the bottom edge for insertion into the base assembly and connectors on the interior face for insertion into the slots in the side panels so as to secure the end panels to the side panels; and wherein the base assembly comprises a layer of base slats, and a padded layer on top of the base slat layer to form a resting surface for a corpse, wherein the resting surface has upstanding edges defining a rim around the perimeter thereof, the rim having a first plurality of apertures for accepting the downwardly extending protrusions of the end panels and a second plurality of apertures for accepting the locking protrusions of the side panels so as to secure the side panels to the base assembly.