The invention to which this application relates is to an improvement in the formation of a burial chamber or vault but hereinafter referred to as a burial chamber in a non-limiting manner. The burial chamber is typically provided to receive one or more containers, such as coffins, in which a deceased person or animal are held or alternatively could receive the deceased person's body directly.

Although the following description refers almo st exclusively to a burial chamber for a container in the form of a coffin, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention c a n b e u s e d wi t h c a s k e t s a n d o t h e r m e a n s fo r containing bodies and the description should be interpreted as such.

Coffins are often placed in burial chambers, also known as burial vaults, primarily for protecting the coffin and keeping it dry. The burial chamber may be located above ground or below ground, and are typically referred to as mausoleums and crypts respectively.

One problem with burial chambers positioned in the ground in particular is that they are susceptible to changes and movements in the surrounding earth. A further problem with crypts is that ground water can accumulate underneath the burial chamber and generate pressure which again can result in the chamber shifting position which can cause damage to the grave site above the burial chamber. In order to resist this it is typically the case that they are made from concrete panels or sections in order to provide the required the long term resilience to environmental conditions and are therefore very heavy. In addition, as burial chambers themselves and/or components therefore are typically manufactured at a remote location from that at which the same are to be installed, the costs of transporting them to the installation location can be high.

Another problem is that the increasing population and resultant increase in deaths means that less space is available in cemeteries.

An aim of the invention is to provide a burial chamber which is more efficient in terms of the space required and manufacturing costs while at the same time providing a burial chamber which can resist changes in the surrounding environment which are potentially damaging.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a burial chamber including:

a base, and walls depending upwardly therefrom to define a cavity for receiving one or more deceased bodies therein;

and wherein the burial chamber includes means to receive and/or acts as anchoring means for the burial chamber when in position.

In one embodiment the deceased body is that of a person or animal.

In one embodiment the deceased body or bodies are received in the cavity with the body having been placed in a container such as a coffin, typically beforehand, such that typically each body and it's container are received in the burial chamber.

Typically the anchoring means substantially prevents changes in position and/or orientation of the burial chamber. In one embodiment the receiving means are integrally formed as part of the burial chamber.

In one embodiment the receiving means are provided as one or more feet extending from the base. Typically each foot is provided with a recess for receiving the anchoring means.

In one embodiment part of the anchoring means are attached or formed with the burial chamber and at least one further part of the anchoring means extends from the burial chamber to act as an anchor.

In one embodiment at least part of the anchoring means are located in the earth or soil which surround the walls and base of the burial chamber when it is in position for use.

In one embodiment at least part of the anchoring means are located with a further article which acts as a means for holding the anchoring means and hence burial chamber in position.

In one embodiment the burial chamber and/or anchoring means are made from any or any combination of plastic material such as polypropylene, steel, fibre glass, concrete, and/or the like. Typically the burial chamber and panel are made of the same, relatively lightweight material. Typically the weight of the burial chamber is 50kg or less.

Thus, in practice at the location of use of the burial chamber, when the burial chamber is in position, a portion of the previously formed and/or located anchoring means protrude into the surrounding soil or other material such that when, for example, the burial chamber is buried and surrounded by earth, the anchoring means engage with the soil or earth to prevent changes in position and/or orientation of the burial chamber due to sub sidence or ground water pressure.

In one embodiment the walls of the burial chamber depend outwardly as they progress upwardly from the base. Thus the top of the cavity is wider than the bottom to make it easier to move items in and out of the cavity.

In one embodiment the cavity can be subdivided into several compartments or portions, into each of which at least one container and body can be placed. Typically the cavity is subdivided to allow a plurality of coffins to be superposed therein. In one embodiment the cavity is subdivided by at least one cover. Typically the cover is capable of sealing the compartment and/or sub compartment.

In one embodiment one or more of the walls are stepped or provided with at least one location means on the side of the cavity to receive a cover or cover section in position spaced from the base to clo se and define all, or a first portion of, the cavity. In one embodiment at least one container is locatable on the cover so as to be positioned inside the second portion of the cavity which lies above the cover.

Typically the cover includes support means for receiving straps or ropes to allow the same to be lowered into the compartment and support a container thereon, spaced apart from the cover. The base may also be provided with support means.

Thus a coffin may be positioned on the cover of the lower first portion of the cavity, which may already include at least one coffin therein, and the cover, with the container thereon can both then be lowered into place to form a superposed second portion of the cavity and a lid or cover placed thereon to define and close the said second portion.

Typically the cover and/or lid are reversible such that there are no protrusions on the upper surface. Thus the lid can be positioned with the support means facing downwards to hide the same for aesthetic reasons.

As multiple coffins can be placed in the same cavity, space is more efficiently used with respect to the size of the burial chamber and in particular, if underground, with respect to the top, grave, site surface. The support means of the covers enable additional coffins to be easily added to the burial chamber as required.

In one embodiment a remains holder is provided for containing cremated remains or urns, and includes receiving means for receiving the support means of the burial chamber cover and/or lid.

Typically the receiving means of the remains holder is a slot to allow the remains holder to slidingly engage the support means.

Thus, in accordance with the invention the bodies and coffins can be added to the burial chamber without disturbing the remains holders of previously interred coffins and bodies as they are secured to the cover and/or lid of the burial chamber.

In one embodiment the burial chamber is able to support one or more headstones, typically via the rim of the burial chamber.

In one embodiment the headstone is provided with a holder, said holder being provided with connection means for connecting the holder to the rim of the burial chamber. Typically the connection means for connecting is a slot, groove or recess. Typically the connection means includes screws, bolts and/or the like. Thus the lateral or downward movement of the headstone is prevented due to being secured to the burial chamber.

Typically the walls are provided with bolt holes or other means to allow connection between adjacent burial chambers.

In one embodiment the receiving means are provided as at least one groove in one or more external faces of the burial chamber. In this embodiment the opposing external face is provided with anchoring means in the form of at least one protrusion.

In one embodiment the external face of one of the side walls is provided with a plurality of sub stantially vertical grooves. Typically the external face of the opposing side wall is provided with a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the grooves.

In one embodiment the grooves and protrusions are slidingly inter engageable. Typically each groove and protrusion is shaped as a dovetail or other trapezoid. In a further embodiment the grooves and protrusions interlock so as to act as anchoring means for a further burial chamber located adjacent thereto.

Thus as the burial chambers can be connected together by sliding the protrusions of one side wall of one the burial chambers along the grooves of the sidewall of another adjacent burial chamber, the burial chambers are resistant to lateral displacement.

In addition, the configuration of the grooves and protrusions allows the chambers to be horizontally and/or vertically offset with respect to each other as desired. This allows the topography of the graveyard or cemetery to be taken into account. In one embodiment when the said chamber is in position for use the side walls and base and at least part of the cavity lie below the surface of the surrounding ground.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a burial chamber including:

a base, and walls depending upwardly therefrom to define a cavity for receiving one or more deceased bodies therein;

and wherein the burial chamber includes means to support a cover at a location intermediate the base and the opening into the cavity, said portion acting to define a first, lower portion in which a body can be received and enclosed and a second, higher, portion in which a further body can be received.

In one embodiment a plurality of covers are supported at spaced locations along a vertical axis so as to define a number of portions along the vertical axis in the cavity each provided for the receipt of at least one body therein.

In one embodiment a lid is provided to cover the opening into the uppermost portion in the cavity.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a burial chamber including:

a base, and walls depending upwardly therefrom to define a cavity for receiving one or more deceased bodies therein;

and wherein the burial chamber includes means to allow the chamber to be engaged with at least one adjacent burial chamber when in position for use. In one embodiment the means are provided in the form of at least one groove in one or more external faces of the burial chamber and on an opposing external face or faces at least one protrusion is formed. Typically the at least one protrusion and groove are formed so as to be received in the other of at least one protrusion or groove formed on an external face of an adjacently positioned burial chamber so as to engage the burial chambers together.

Specific e mb o dim e n t s o f th e inve n ti o n ar e n ow d e s c rib e d wherein:-

Figure a-g illustrate schematic views of a burial chamber according to an embodiment of the invention (a) isometric view; (b) plan view of the portion marked X in Figure l a; (c) isometric view of the portion marked X in Figure l a; (d) bottom view; (e) side view; (f) end view; (g) top view.

Figures 2a-d illustrates schematic views of a burial chamber according to a further embodiment of the invention (a) isometric view; (b) side view; (c) end view; (d) top view.

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic isometric view of three burial chambers according to a further embodiment of the invention connected in a flat configuration.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic isometric view of three burial chambers according to a further embodiment of the invention connected in a stepped configuration.

Figure 5 illustrates a schematic isometric view of three burial chambers according to a further embodiment of the invention connected in a stepped and staggered configuration. Figure 6a-c illustrates schematic views of a burial chamber lid or cover according to an embodiment of the invention (a) side view; (b) end view; (c) plan view.

Figure 7 illustrates a schematic sectional end view of a burial chamber with a lid or cover according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8a-c illustrates schematic views of a remains holder for use with a burial chamber lid or cover a c c o r d i n g t o a n embodiment of the invention (a) side view; (b) plan view; (c) front view; and

Figure 9a-c illustrates schematic views of a headstone holder for use with a burial chamber according to an embodiment of the invention (a) side view; (b) front view; (c) plan view.

With reference to Figures a-g, there is illustrated a burial chamber 20 according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a base 2, two side walls 4, 6 and two end walls 8, 10, which define a cavity 12 for receiving one or more bodies contained in coffins. The burial chamber is typically moulded, preferably from plastics material, as one part, which assists in making the chamber waterproof.

Inside the cavity, the base 2 is provided with support means in the form of ridges 24 for supporting a coffin and spacing apart the coffin from the base 2.

In the embodiment illustrated, the burial chamber is of a depth, such that the same is subdivided into a first, lower, portion or compartment 12" and a second, higher, portion or compartment 12'. The walls 4, 6, 8, 10 are stepped so as to form an internal shoulder 14, on which a cover (not shown) may rest as will be described later, thereby sealing the lower compartment 12" and forming a platform for a further coffin to be positioned thereon to lie in the higher compartment 12'. The walls, 4,6,8, 10 may also be angled to depend outwardly from the base to assist in the positioning or repo sitioning of the coffins in the cavity.

The outer surface of the base 2 includes receiving means in the form of feet 1 6 extending therefrom (shown separately i n Figures l b-c) . However the feet are preferably integrally moulded as part of the burial chamber 20 and provided with a recess 18 for receiving anchoring means therein in the form of an end of a panel 22 shown in Figures I d and e.

Thus the anchoring means 22 can be inserted into the feet prior to lowering the burial chamber into the ground, such that when the burial chamber is surrounded by earth, the exposed portions of the anchoring means engage with the surrounding earth to act as anchors for the burial chamber to prevent changes in position and/or orientation due to subsidence or ground water pressure around the burial chamber. This is particularly important when the burial chamber is formed of a lighter weight than is conventionally the case, such as when formed from plastics material, and would otherwise, if the anchoring means were not provided, be more susceptible to movement and forces exerted from the surrounding environment than would be the case with the conventional heavier burial chambers formations.

The burial chamber is sealed at the top of the walls with an external lid 26 which prevents water from entering the compartment. The lid and the walls adjacent thereto, in this embodiment, are provided with bolt holes 28 which allows adjacent burial chambers to be connected together with bolts. This stabilises the arrangement and further helps prevent changes in position and/or orientation of any one of the group of burial chambers due to sub sidence or ground water pressure nearby.

With reference to Figures 2a-d, a further embodiment of a double-depth burial chamber 120 is illustrated, with a base 102 and walls 104, 106, 108, 1 10. In this embodiment the inside of the walls is stepped to define an internal shoulder 1 14, and base 130 of the compartment slopes down on either side longitudinally so that if any water enters the compartment it is spaced apart from and below the height of the coffin which is supported in po sition at the side edges of the bases.

The external face of one of the side walls 106 is provided with interlocking means in the form of three vertical dovetail shaped grooves 132, whereas the external face of the other side wall 104 is provided with interlocking means in the form of three vertical dovetail shaped protrusions 134, corresponding in position to the grooves on the opposite wall.

The interlocking means grooves 132 of one burial chamber wall 104 can be slidingly interengaged with the protrusions 134 of the sidewall 106 of a further burial chamber which is located changeable. Thus a plurality of burial chambers can be interconnected side by side thereby making the chambers more resistant to lateral displacement and increasing stability of the arrangement.

Figures 3-5 illustrate different ways of interconnecting three of the burial chambers 120 formed as shown in Figures 2a-d by engaging the respective grooves and protrusions of respective side walls 104, 106 of the burial chambers. Figure 3 shows a flat, straight configuration, Figure 4 shows a stepped configuration in which the burial chambers are locked together at different heights to each other, and Figure 5 shows a stepped and staggered configuration in which the burial chambers are locked together at different heights and lengthwise positions to each other.

Thus the chambers can be horizontally and/or vertically offset with respect to each other to take into account the topography of the graveyard or cemetery.

Figures 6a-c illustrate a cover 36 that can be used with either embodiment of burial chamber described above. The cover is of a size that it is supported by the internal shoulder 14, of which there may be several if the burial chamber is designed to contain a plurality of coffins so as to allow the cavity of the burial chamber to be divided into one or more portions at different heights, with each compartment or portion typically receiving at least one coffin and body therein and then clo sed and defined by the placing of the cover 36 on to the shoulder portion above the coffin.

With reference to Figure 7, it can be seen that the cover is provided with support means 38 having an aperture 39 integrally formed with the lid 36, on which a coffin 40 can rest in the upper portion 12' with a coffin 41 already in position in the lower portion 12". Straps can be passed through the apertures 39 to allow the cover to be lowered into the burial chamber while supporting the coffin 40 thereon.

Thus in use, a burial chamber can be positioned in the ground and a first coffin 41 placed in the lower compartment 12", resting on the ridges 24 in the base in this embodiment. A cover 36 holding a second coffin 40 can then be lowered in the upper compartment 12', thereby sealing the lower compartment 12", and a lid 43 can be placed over the upper compartment 12' to seal the burial chamber as hereinbefore described.

As multiple coffins can be placed in the same burial chamber, space is more efficiently used with respect to the surface of the graveyard. With regard to Figures 8a-c, a remains holder 42 is illustrated with walls 44 defining a compartment 46 therein for holding cremated remains or urns, which can be sealed with a top portion 48 placed thereon. The base 50 has a slot 52 for receiving a support means 38 and aperture 39 as provided on the cover 36 of a burial chamber as hereinbefore described, such that the remains holder can be held in place on the burial chamber cover. This permits full body internment to take place in the burial chamber without disturbing the cremated remains or urns placed above in the upper portion 12' when the top chamber lid 43 is removed With regard to Figures 9a-c, a headstone holder 62 is illustrated, which is an open container defining a recess 60 for receiving a headstone, and includes a groove 56 to allow the holder to be fitted to the rim 54 of a burial chamber 20. The holder is provided with holes 58 so that it can be secured by screws to the rim.

Thus the headstone is secured to the burial chamber to prevent lateral or downward movement, such that cemetery staff do not have to reset the headstones under health and safety guidelines. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention may also include further additional modifications made to the device which does not affect the overall functioning of the device.