Abstract: The base section of a burial casket supports an internal latch mechanism which is effective to engage keepers projecting downwardly from a pivotally supported cover section and to draw the cover section firmly against a resilient gasket member disposed between the base and cover sections. The gasket member is molded as a one-piece rectangular frame and includes parallel spaced peripherally extending sealing portions, the inner portion having an inverted U-shaped wall configuration and the outer portion having generally a V-shaped wall configuration. The latch mechanism includes a rotary actuator having an externally threaded coupling portion projecting to a circular opening within the front wall of the base section. A resilient sealing ring or grommet is mounted within the opening, and a cap-like closure member includes a tubular coupling portion which projects through the opening and threadably engages the coupling portion of the rotary actuator.