Cemetery Supplies
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Urn Vaults
Cemetery operators have to be prepared for less common scenarios. A family calls years after a burial. A spouse has passed away and been cremated, and they want the remains placed in the same plot—directly above the existing vault. Or a family arrives with an oversized or companion urn that a standard vault can’t hold. In any case, it’s vital to have flexible urn vault solutions that can fit the individual situations of families you serve.
There’s no single vault that fits every situation. Holland Supply’s urn vault line is built to flex with evolving family needs. The low-profile Cremains Vault, the Fortress Urn Vault, and optional vault risers provide versatile urn vault options for serving families with confidence.
Why One Vault Size Doesn’t Fit Every Burial
Cremation continues to grow as the leading choice, with NFDA projecting that the cremation rate will reach 82.3% by 2045. This growth means more varied requests: standard urn burials, burials above existing graves (second rite of interment), and oversized and companion urns.
No longer will one urn vault size work for every cremation burial.
That’s why Holland Supply provides a variety of urn vault options to meet the needs of cemetery operators—so that you have what you need on hand to serve your clients.
Whether you’re dealing with a height-restricted burial for second rites, or have a height-challenging urn and need a riser, we have the urn vaults you need.
What Are Second Rites? Burying Cremated Remains Above an Existing Vault
What is a second rite of interment (sometimes referred to as second rite of burial)?
Second rites occur when a family wants to bury a recently-deceased member in the same plot with a previously deceased family member.
In traditional burials, a person is interred in a casket placed within a concrete vault. When another family member later passes away and is cremated, a second rite of internment refers to burying this second set of remains directly on top of the existing vault.
The challenge with second rites is that the cremation vault must fit within the space between the top of the existing casket vault and the ground surface, while maintaining adequate earth cover.
In this situation, only a low-profile cremains vault will be able to fit in the space. Standard-height vaults are simply too tall.
Holland Supply’s Cremains Urn Vault has a very low profile of only 6.5 inches in height, allowing it to fit securely in these otherwise challenging situations.
When the Urn Is the Challenge: Fortress Urn Vault Risers
While the Cremains Urn Vault can solve a lack of space challenge, sometimes the problem is the opposite. In some cases, the urn is simply too tall for standard vaults.
Holland Supply’s Fortress Urn Vault has an interior height of 10⅜”, with an optional 2″ risers to accommodate taller urns. (Risers sold individually.)
These products are ideal for oversized or tall memorial urns, companion urns that hold two people’s remains (such as spouses who pass close together), or as a place for an urn plus keepsakes or mementos that a family wants buried together.
Holland Supply’s Fortress Urn Vault Specs
- Leading poly urn vault in the market, made from durable, high-strength ABS plastic
- Tongue-and-groove construction for maximum strength and a secure seal; sealant included
- White marble or gold exterior with burgundy velour-lined interior — elegance plus protection
- Interior: 13⅜″ L × 9⅛″ W × 10⅜″ H (exterior 14¼″ × 10″ × 10⅝″); sold in cases of 6
- Available with optional 2″ risers to add vault height (sold individually)
How to Choose the Best Urn Vault
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the best urn vault. Check out this chart to help you choose the best option for each scenario.
| Cremains Urn Vault | Safeguard Urn Vault | Fortress Urn Vault | Fortress + Riser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height profile | Low (6.5″) | Standard (9⅛″ ext.) | Standard (10⅝″ ext.) | Standard + 2″ |
| Material | High-impact polystyrene | Injection-molded ABS plastic | ABS plastic, tongue-and-groove | ABS plastic, tongue-and-groove |
| Interior footprint | — | Largest (14¾″ L × 10¾″ W) | 13⅜″ L × 9⅛″ W | 13⅜″ L × 9⅛″ W |
| Best for | Second rites, tight spaces | Budget-conscious standard burials, wider urns | Standard urn burial with elevated presentation | Oversized, tall, or companion urns |
| Fits second-rite burials? | Typically yes | No — too tall for the space above an existing vault | No — too tall for the space above an existing vault | No — adds height, the opposite of what second rites require |
| Interior style | Simple, clean | Simple, clean | Burgundy velour-lined | Burgundy velour-lined |
| Packaging | — | Cases of 3 | Cases of 6 | Risers sold individually |
Stock all three configurations so that you can be prepared for nearly any urn burial request that comes through the gate.
From Temporary Container to Final Resting Place
For many families, the journey of cremated remains begins in a temporary cremation container — a practical, dignified holding solution while final arrangements take shape. But the plans a family makes in those first days often evolve. An urn selected weeks later may be taller than expected. A decision to scatter may give way to a wish for burial in the family plot. A second rite of interment may enter the picture years down the road.
That’s why flexibility matters at every stage. A reliable temporary cremation container buys families the time to decide, and a full vault lineup — from the low-profile Cremains Urn Vault to the Fortress with optional risers — ensures you’re ready for whatever they finally choose. The right products don’t just protect remains; they keep every option open while a family’s plans take their final shape
FAQs about Urn Vaults
Can you bury cremated remains on top of an existing burial?
Yes. A low-profile vault, such as the Holland Supply Cremains Vault, allows for cremated remains to be buried in the same vault on top of an existing burial. This is typically referred to as a second rite of interment.
What is a vault riser used for?
An urn vault risers adds height to an urn vault in order to accommodate oversized memorial urns or companion urns. Holland Supply’s urn vault risers can be added to the Fortress Urn Vault to add an additional 2″ of height.
Do I need an urn vault for ground burial of an urn?
Most cemeteries require an outer container in urn burials. Find out more in this blog post: Urn Vaults: Why and How to Use Them
Let’s Get You Stocked
With cremation rates on the rise, cemetery operations have to be well stocked in order to meet the evolving needs of families. Keeping a variety of urn vault options on hand allows you to meet the needs of your customers without hesitation.
For questions about Holland Supply’s urn vaults or to place an order, browse our urn vault options online or call us at 800-527-8818 today.
