IL108493A - Multi-tier burial system - Google Patents

Description

tPDinj ran iinap loiyn MULTI-TIER BURIAL SYSTEM The present invention relates to a multi-tier burial system. More particularly, the invention provides a burial system which allows for the individual, ground-based burial of deceased persons in an area per burial which is significantly smaller than is presently required by the conventional arrangement, and is a modification of the invention described in Israel Specification No. 100,012.

As described in said Israel specification, burial methods are chosen according to civil law, religious law or custom, and also according to the wishes of the surviving relatives of the deceased. While certain burial methods, such as cremation and burial at sea, require no land area at all, the present invention relates to the widely-practiced burial method among Jews, Christians and Moslem, wherein land must be allocated for burial of the deceased in a grave.

While the system of the present invention conforms to the requirements of Jewish religious law, in particular as stated in the Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah, Chapter 362, it is also applicable in non-Jewish societies where dignified burial is required, and where low-cost land is no longer available for this purpose.

Many burial societies, Jewish and non-Jewish, in Israel and abroad, are faced with rapidly filling cemeteries and a near impossibility of being able to purchase suitable land for expansion, particularly within reasonable proximity to large cities. Furthermore, even where such land has been located, residents in the vicinity often object vehemently to the establishment of a new cemetery near their homes. Graves are considered permanent resting places in Jewish as well as in other societies, and with each new generation, further pressure on land use becomes apparent. As an example of land requirements, with a death rate of about 10 per thousand per year, and a burial density of 1,000 graves per acre (that is, about 250 per 1,000 square meters), a city such as Tel Aviv will require 160 extra acres of land within about 15 years. The tasks of finding and financing the purchase of such a plot in a suitable area are daunting, and the need is apparent to raise burial density while maintaining individual graves in a manner that not only conforms to Jewish religious law, but also meets the reasonable expectations of the family of the deceased for a dignified burial.

Crypt systems, mainly intended for above-ground burial, are known. Examples are described in U.S. Patents 3,878,656 and 3,958,378. Components used in crypts are described in U.S. Patents 4,102,098 and 4,989,382. None of the crypts of these patents meets the requirements of Jewish law with regard to burial in earth, nor is provision made for sufficient spacing between individual crypts.

Therefore, some of the objects of the present invention are to obviate the disadvantages of the prior art burial systems, and to provide a system which provides increased burial density without infringing either Jewish religious law or the dignity of the deceased.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a burial system which will make possible the building of small-area cemeteries in or near urban centers, the visual impact thereof being sufficiently moderate so that residents of adjoining areas will accept the location of such a cemetery near their homes or businesses.

In Israel Specification No. 100,012 there is claimed a multi-tier burial system comprising a plurality of precast units, each of these units being formed as an earth-containing, perforated box-like element, a first plurality of such elements being aligned in spaced-apart relationship to form a first tier, and a second plurality of said elements being aligned in spaced-apart relationship to form a second tier supported by the first tier and staggered with relation thereto, elements of the second tier straddling the spaces formed between two adjacent elements of a lower tier and being respectively supported by two lower elements, wherein the bottom of an upper element and the interfacing sides of two adjacent lower elements which support said upper element delimit three surfaces of a burial niche.

After further research and development, it has now been determined that it is not necessary to form a staggered array of burial units, and that the objectives of the invention can also be achieved by a formed plurality of columns of stacked, precast, earth-containing units.

Thus, according to the present invention, there is now provided a multi-tier burial system comprising a plurality of columns of stacked, precast units, each of said units being formed as an earth-containing box-like element, a lower volume of said unit being bounded by a bottom and by two long and two short sides, to retain a layer of earth having a depth of at least 40 centimeters, and the upper volume of said unit being bounded on two long sides and being open on at least one of its short sides, for the insertion of a body through said opening onto said layer of earth.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system having a framework configured for assembly on the face of at least two of said stacked, precast units, for stabilizing at least part of a column of said units and improving the appearance thereof .

The present invention further provides for hermetically sealing the aperture through which the deceased was inserted.

The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood.

With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a single column of a multi- tier burial system in a first embodiment of the invention Fig. 2 is a sectioned end view of several columns, showing further details thereof; Fig. 3 is a plan view showing spacer units and earth between columns ; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a further preferred portion of the multi-tier burial system, showing a framework configured for assembly to the face of the system; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a precast unit, showing apertures providing earth connection; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a precast unit which has been sealed after the insertion of a body; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a multi-tier, multi-column burial system, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment wherein concrete is poured to rigidize the columns.

There is seen in Fig. 1 one column 12 of a multi-tier burial system 10, comprising a plurality of columns 12 of stacked, precast units 14. Complete systems will be seen in Figs. 2, 7 and 8. Preferably, each column 12 comprises at least three stacked burial units 14.

Each unit 14 is formed as an earth-containing, box-like element, a lower volume 16 of the unit being bounded by a bottom 18; two long sides 20, 22; and two short sides 24, 26. The lower volume 16 is configured to retain a layer of earth 28, having a depth of at least 40 centimeters. The upper volume 30 of the unit 14 is bounded on two long sides by walls 20, 22, and is open on one of its short sides 24a for the insertion of a body 32 therethrough onto the layer of earth 28. The units 14 are about 2 to 2.5 meters in length, and are provided with walls about 4 to 10 centimeters thick. The units 14 can readily be mass-produced by conventional processes.

Fig. 2 shows a number of columns 12 in further detail. An inner surface 34, 36 of the long sides 20, 22 is provided with an interfaced, stepped ledge 38. The ledge 38 is of much utility for supporting a stretcher (not shown) carrying a body 32 for insertion into a unit 14. The stretcher can thus be slid into unit 14 without dragging against the earth 28. This facility is of importance, in view of the limited headroom in a unit 14 which, when assembled, does not provide convenient access to the person effecting insertion of the body 32.

Unit 14 is advantageously provided with a projection 40 which interfits with the open top face formed between the long sides 20, 22 of a similar, but lower, unit 14. The projection 40 thus aids in the assembly of the columns 12, and helps to ensure that each unit 14 is directly in vertical line with a lower unit.

Fig. 3 shows the burial system 10, wherein the space between adjacent columns 12 is filled with earth 44. As can be seen, the spacer units 42 serve the additional purpose of retaining said earth. The earth 44 is provided with continuity with the earth 28 inside unit 14 by means which are shown in Fig. 5. At its lower face, earth 44 contacts the ground of the cemetery. The system 10 thereby meets the requirement of those religious laws mandating that the deceased be buried in earth.

Fig. 4 shows a further preferred portion of the multi-tier burial system 10. There are seen four frameworks 46, assembled to the faces of columns of precast units 14, each column consisting of three stacked units. Each framework 46 can be utilized for stabilizing at least part of a column 12 of units 14. Framework 46 can suitably be made of G.R.C. or precast concrete, and has a width corresponding to the centre-to- centre distance of adjacent columns, for example, from 90 to 110 centimeters. As can be seen, the framework 46 has another important function, enhancing the appearance of the face of the system 10.

There is seen in Fig. 5 a precast unit 14b, showing a plurality of throughgoing apertures 48 in the two long sides 20, 22 and the rear short side 26. The apertures 48 shown are 10 to 14 centimeters in diameter, and serve to provide a connection between the earth 28 held in unit 14b and the externally-held earth 44, referred to above with reference to Fig. 3, thus meeting the religious requirements described hereinabove. Said apertures can also be non-circular and of different dimensions.

It is to be noted that apertures 48 are positioned adjacent to the bottom 18 and are about 30 centimeters below the surface of the earth 28. Consequently, gases resulting from body decomposition are retained inside the unit 14b.

Fig. 6 shows one precast unit 14, which has been sealed after the insertion of a body 32. A stone table 50 is hermetically sealed along its edges, to close the burial niche and to so separate the space containing the body of the deceased 32 from area 52, where visitor access is provided. A silicone-based sealant is suitable for this application. The preferred embodiment shown is provided with a gas-tight barrier, comprising an inner plate 56 of plastic, wood, etc., an intermediate wall of light-aggregate concrete blocks 58, and an outer stone table 50.

It is possible to substitute sacks of earth (not shown) in place of the blocks 58. The sacks are more easily removable if for some reason it is decided to move the remains of the deceased to another grave. A tombstone 62 is shown, sealed to the outer stone table 50, which is also utilized as an additional reinforcement. Tombstone 62 is a granite or marble memorial plaque, of standard size for all burial niches in an array, engraved, or painted, as is customary.

Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of a multi-tier burial system 64. The spacer units 66 between adjacent columns 12 are aligned with the open short sides 24a of the precast units 14. A recessed projection 68 provides the means for supporting a shelf 70, positionable in front of each opening. The shelf 70 may be used by visitors for depositing articles in honour of the deceased. The recessed projection 68 is configured for the insertion therein of a memorial light 72. The system 64 is shown complete with foundation blocks 74, a walkway 76, stone block columns 78, and an upper slab 80.

Fig. 8 depicts a further embodiment of a multi-tier burial system 82. Stacked precast units 84 are provided with front and rear walls 86, 88 which project sidewards as shown. Each unit 84 is provided with four semi-circular recesses 90, which, when adjacent columns 92 are in mutual contact, form a vertical, cylindrical hollow space wherein concrete is poured to rigidize the structure. A shelf 94 is provided for each unit 84, this shelf being held by columns of bricks 96, 98.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrated embodiments and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (12)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A multi-tier burial system, comprising a plurality of columns of stacked precast units, each of said units being formed as an earth-containing, box-like element, a lower volume of said unit being bounded by a bottom and by two long and two short sides, to retain a layer of earth having a depth of at least 40 centimeters, and the upper volume of said unit being bounded on two long sides and being open on at least one of its short sides, for the insertion of a body through said opening onto said layer of earth.

2. A multi-tier burial system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each inner surface of said long sides is provided with an interfaced, stepped ledge.

3. A multi-tier burial system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each column comprises at least two stacked burial units.

4. A multi-tier burial system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bottom of said unit is provided with at least one projection to interfit with an open top face of a similar, lower unit.

5. A multi-tier burial system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising spacer units positioned between said columns for aligning the same multi-column, multi-tier array. - 1.1 -

6. A multi-tier burial system as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least one of the spacer units between adjacent columns is aligned with the open short side of said unit, and is provided with means for supporting a shelf positionable in front of each such opening.

7. A multi-tier burial system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the space between adjacent columns is filled with earth.

8. A multi-tier burial system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a framework configured for assembly around at least two of said stacked precast units for stabilizing at least part of a column of said units.

9. A multi-tier burial system as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of the walls of said box-like elements is provided with multiple apertures adjacent to said bottom, whereby earth held inside said element is in contact with earth outside said element.

10. A multi-tier burial system according to claim 1, wherein a stone tablet is hermetically sealed along its edges to close said burial niche, thus separating the space containing the body of the deceased from the space providing access to visitors.

11. A multi-tier burial system according to claim 1, further comprising a gas-tight barrier positioned to separate the space containing the body of the deceased from the space providing access to visitors, said barrier comprising an inner plate, an intermediate wall of-light-aggregate concrete blocks and an outer stone tablet.

12. A multi-tier burial system according to claim 9, wherein an engraved or painted tombstone is sealed to said outer stone tablet for utilization as additional barrier reinforcement . for the Applicant: WOLFF, BREGMAN AND GOLLER