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Retz Funeral Home & Crematory

Providing our communities with the most cost-effective cremation & burial alternatives in the entire region.

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Burial & Cremation Vaults

Burial and cremation vaults are lined units that enclose the casket when it is placed at the gravesite. These vaults are designed to prevent the weight of soil and heavy equipment from damaging the casket. The burial vault is constructed to withstand the forces that would otherwise act upon the casket, thus avoiding ground shifting and damage.

Whereas graves used to be dug using a hand shovel, today a backhoe is often used. Backhoes weigh in excess of six tons, and combined with the daily wear of cemetery landscaping and grounds maintenance equipment as well as the constant forces of soil pressure, this weight reinforces the need for casket or urn protection. Vaults help to maintain soil settlement, ensuring that the overall appearance of the cemetery remains intact and allowing for easier gravesite maintenance.

There are no laws that require the use of burial and cremation vaults, however, cemeteries often require that they are used in order to reduce the chances that soil over the grave will settle. Most Montana cemeteries now require the use of burial and cremation vaults.

Types of Vaults

Burial and cremation vaults are available in a variety of materials including fiberglass, polymer and concrete.

Concrete Vault
Concrete vaults are made of reinforced concrete and are available in many styles, including: undecorated concrete finishes, metal wrapped tops and interiors, and simulated wood grain or natural stone finishes. Concrete vaults typically weigh more than 2,000 pounds and sometimes require additional costs for transport and placement. Personalized vault styles are available to help honor your loved one. Shown on the right is a single-reinforced burial vault made from concrete with a premium, plastic-reinforced cover and base. This vault is air-tight and will protect the casket from all outside elements.

Polymer Vault
Burial vaults constructed of non-porous polyethylene and polypropylene materials provide the benefits of being lightweight, impact-resistant and water-resistant. Polymer vaults can be constructed in multiple layers for added strength and durability. Their light weight and ease-of-handling reduce cemetery labor costs when compared to concrete vaults. These vaults customarily do not require heavy equipment during transportation and gravesite placement. Options include dome only or dome with a base.

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Family Owned and Operated Since 1926
Retz Funeral Home & Crematory
315 E. 6th Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Phone: (406) 442-1550
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View Obituaries For:

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

Helena, East Helena, Montana City, Clancy, Lincoln MT

Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel

Wolf Point & Poplar MT

Retz Funeral Home

Helena, East Helena, Montana City, Clancy, Lincoln MT

Stevenson Wilke Funeral Homes

Townsend & White Sulphur Springs MT

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Homes

Miles City, Terry, Jordan, Broadus, Circle, Forsyth & Lame Deer MT

Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Homes

Sidney, Watford City, Williston & Tioga ND

Bell Mortuary

Glasgow, Nashua, Poplar, Fort Peck, Hinsdale & Scobey MT

Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services

Butte, Montana

Retz Funeral Home & Crematory

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Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

Helena, East Helena, Montana City, Clancy, Lincoln MT

Fulkerson & Stevenson Funeral Homes

Sidney, Watford City, Williston & Tioga ND

Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel

Wolf Point & Poplar MT

Stevenson Wilke Funeral Homes

Townsend & White Sulphur Springs MT

Bell Mortuary

Glasgow, Nashua, Poplar, Fort Peck, Hinsdale & Scobey MT

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

Miles City, Forsyth, Lame Deer, Broadus, Circle, Jordan & Terry

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