The helpful view of the grounds crew

Patrick Lewis,
Grounds Manager,
Sunset Memorial Park

As a grounds manager, I am often the person who is with a family the first time they see their loved one's grave. My team and I do everything we can to make it a healing experience for the families we serve. But when a family chooses a concrete box, our job becomes even more difficult.

As you likely know, concrete boxes have holes in the bottom to allow for drainage. But when we place one in a grave, water can also rise up from the ground.

I understand that some families have financial limits when purchasing an outer burial container for their loved one. But for families who have the luxury of choice, they deserve to really understand the difference between a concrete box and a lined, sealed burial vault instead.

If you need help with the conversation, we have some helpful materials, such as a poster and a sales sheet, that do all the talking for you.


This article originally appeared in Trigard Tuesdays, our weekly electronic newsletter featuring information for the funeral industry. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.trigard.com/tuesdays.