Abstract: A tandem casket system includes two caskets disposed side by side. Interconnecting the two caskets is a passageway in which the hands of occupants of the caskets can be joined.

Abstract: A cremated remains remembrance and burial system that includes an urn, an urn lid, an urn enclosure and a headstone. The urn includes an enclosure with an opening, a first sealing mechanism and second sealing mechanism. The urn lid is capable of engaging the first sealing mechanism to substantially seal the enclosure. The urn enclosure has a recess formed therein that is adapted to receive the urn. The urn enclosure is adapted to engage the second sealing mechanism to retain the urn in engagement with the urn enclosure. The headstone has an opening formed therein that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the urn. The headstone is adapted to engage the second sealing mechanism to retain the urn in engagement with the headstone.

Abstract: A closure system for a memorial product, such as a columbarium, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the closure system is configured to be mounted to a niche compartment such that an opening of the niche compartment is covered. In one embodiment, the closure system includes a face plate hanger and a face plate. The face plate hanger may include first and second rails that are generally directed towards each other. The face plate may be provided with a first channel constructed to receive the first rail and a second channel constructed to receive the second rail. The face plate hanger may also include a cover panel that is configured to cover the niche opening. A columbarium is also disclosed in which a cabinet structure is provided that defines a plurality of niche compartments wherein each of the compartments has an opening that is covered by the above described closure system.

Abstract: A closure system for a memorial product, such as a columbarium, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the closure system is configured to be mounted to a niche compartment such that an opening of the niche compartment is covered. In one embodiment, the closure system includes a face plate hanger and a face plate. The face plate hanger may include first and second rails that are generally directed towards each other. The face plate may be provided with a first channel constructed to receive the first rail and a second channel constructed to receive the second rail. The face plate hanger may also include a cover panel that is configured to cover the niche opening. A columbarium is also disclosed in which a cabinet structure is provided that defines a plurality of niche compartments wherein each of the compartments has an opening that is covered by the above described closure system.

Abstract: A cremation niche including a concrete masonry block formed as a single unit having an uninterrupted cross section which includes rectangular sides, top and bottom panels and open rectangular front and rear openings providing access into a hollow horizontally disposed interior of the concrete block. The concrete block material consistency and overall outside dimensions are equal to those of a conventional concrete building block. A plastic liner having an open front is snugly fit within and mating against inner surfaces of the concrete block which define the interior. A decorative faceplate covers the front opening, mating with the front surface and against a perimeter of the front opening of the liner.

Abstract: A modular columbarium has side panels joined to front uprights by bolts on bent front tabs on the front panels and, respectively, the panels are joined to the rear uprights by L-shaped tabs that can be housed in slot in the rear uprights. The bottoms of the front uprights are extended by height-adjustable legs to adapt to any unevenness of the ground, a lower base panel being fastened between the legs. The front uprights are connected to each other by font crossbars, the crossbars comprising a longitudinal guide, whereon blocking elements are positioned that can move laterally along them. The longitudinal guide has slots for the projecting tabs of the front covers to pass through. The guide has central openings wherethrough the blocking elements can be actuated to block or release the front covers.

Abstract: A columbarium, particularly for accommodating cinerary urns, comprising: a frame in which containment niches for the cinerary urns are formed in a honeycomb arrangement, a panel for covering at least one portion of a face of the columbarium, onto which a plurality of openings for accessing the niches opens. Elements for moving the panel are also provided which can be actuated for passing: from a first configuration, in which the panel covers the portion of the face, concealing the access openings, to a second configuration, in which the panel is spaced from the portion of the face, to expose the access openings, and vice versa.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes that include tiles having an extending member that is disposed within a concavity on the bottom side of the tile and that extends a distance therefrom. The extending member may additionally be coupled to an anchor member disposed within the concavity on the bottom side of the tile. The extending member is set within a substrate such that it is held fast, thereby improving the bonding of the tile to the substrate.

Abstract: A cenotaph memorial facility comprising a plurality of walls containing crypts is dedicated to an honoree who is not interred within the facility. The facility may comprise a large external memorial structure to protect the walls and individual crypts. The cenotaph memorial facility includes a plurality of video cameras to permit remote viewing of various portions of the facility. The video cameras are controlled by a computer system that allows remote access via a network, such as the internet. An individual enters authorization data and, upon authorization, can remotely view one or more portions of the facility. An on-line auction processor can automatically conduct auctions of selected articles using a timed auction over a prolonged bidding period or a real-time auction. In another aspect, a virtual reality (VR) image capture system captures images that may be remotely viewed using VR technology. This may include 3-D imaging, holographic imaging, or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes that include a detectable warning tile having a top side with a plurality of protuberances forming a pattern or array and a second tile member disposed perpendicular to an edge of the detectable warning tile. The bottom side of both the detectable warning tile and the second tile member have at least one anchoring member embedded within a concavity in the bottom side, making the tile and tile member especially durable on platform edges.

Abstract: A device for releasably fastening up to four adjacent slab corners to a support wall or ceiling. The device is positioned at a common point of adjacency of a number of slabs. A locking disk having a quadrant notch is rotatively mounted orthogonally to the surface of the slabs, and engages or disengages slots cap in the thickness of the slabs according to the angular orientation of the disk. The device is capped by a decorative rosette having an appendage projecting loop bracket shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a bud vase. The device is particularly indicated for fastening slabs used to cover adjacent funerary crypts.

Abstract: A columbarium apparatus comprises a columbarium structure defining a plurality of niches. Each niche has an open end, and a horizontal ledge extends from the structure near the bottom wall of each niche. An inside door is configured to cover the open end of the niche and is attached by a first set of tamper resistant hardware, and an outside door is configured to cover the inside door and conceal the first set of tamper proof hardware, and is attached by a second set of tamper resistant hardware such that an inner face of the outer door is supported by an outer face of the inside door, and such that a lower edge of the outside door is supported by the ledge. A vertical channel is provided to facilitate attachment of the outside doors.

Abstract: A device for releasably fastening a cover slab to the opening of a crypt or niche extending back from a vertical support wall. Each device is positioned at a common point of adjacency of a plurality of slabs. Each device has a rotatively mounted locking plate for engaging slots in the sides of each of the slabs. The plate has a cutaway sized and dimensioned to allow for the passage of one of the slabs through the cutaway when the cutaway is rotated into proper alignment. A keyed tool may be used for turning the plate indicating the positioning of the cutaway. The plate is mounted to allow minor axial, pitch and yaw movement and is biased toward an axially perpendicular orientation.

Abstract: A columbarium for cremation remains constructed of at least one unit which includes a generally planar bottom surface and at least five vertical outer sides with each side having a corner. A cover supported by a plurality of walls which, along with said outer sides and said bottom, form compartments. An opening in each outer side providing access to a compartment for receiving cremation remains.

Abstract: An assembleable repository tower for holding individual quantities of burial remains including a platform base and a first plurality of four upwardly extending and elongate members. Each of the first members further includes a webbed configuration defining an axially extending and substantially hollowed interior. A second plurality of elongate members are second to selected faces of first and second of the first plurality of members. Each of the second members are assembled with the first members so that the tower is of a specified height and establishes four upwardly extending sides. A plurality of niche members are engageable with each of the upwardly extending sides, each of the niche members including a plurality of receptacle portions recessed inwardly from the associated side and which are suitable for holding a quantity of burial remains.

Abstract: Collapsible structure are provided having a first base panel and a second panel, each having a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a material partially covering the frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation, with the material assuming the unfolded orientation of its associated frame member. The second panel is flexed so that the first and second panels define an interior space, with the second panel having opposing first and second end edges that are coupled to the outer periphery of the first panel. The second panel can have two or more supporting frame members to allow the collapsible structures to be provided in different configurations and sizes. In addition, the first base panel can be replaced by a fabric or similar piece of material that is coupled to the first and second end edges of the second panel. The second panels can be coupled within, or outside, the outer periphery of the first base panel or fabric.

Abstract: A mausoleum (10) formed from a plurality of crypt structures (12) each having a generally tubular plastics crypt liners (14) surrounded at side, roof and floor portions thereof by set concrete (81).

Abstract: A crypt system comprising a front frame, a rear frame and a plurality of cells received between the front and rear frames, inclined longitudinally to form a column of cells. Drain and ventilation headers communicate with each cell and an attachment system for joining adjacent columns to each other is provided. The front frame comprises horizontal and vertical members that are spaced to be a close fit on the cells. Each cell is independently sealable by a sealing panel that is attached over the open front end of the cell. A plurality of discrete facing panels are mountable to the front frame of the crypt by way of rectangular section posts extending outwardly from the vertical members at predetermined intervals to abut angled corners of the facing panels and retaining members that hold the angled corners of the facing panels. The structure of the present invention provides a crypt structure that does not suffer from the maintenance problems of existing mausoleums.

Abstract: A double depth vault has a floor and opposing spaced side walls and end walls forming a burial enclosure. An intermediate floor panel is mountable in the enclosure at a predetermined location spaced above the floor to divide the vault into a lower burial chamber and an upper burial chamber. Pairs of aligned vertical guide grooves are provided in opposing walls of the vault to extend from the open end towards the floor, terminating at the desired intermediate floor position. Opposite edges of the intermediate floor member facing the grooved walls of the vault each have at least two spaced projecting pins for engagement in the respective guide grooves as the intermediate floor member is lowered into the vault. The closed ends of the guide grooves provide stops for engagement by the respective pins to support the intermediate floor member at the desired height in the vault.

Abstract: A columbarium in the form of a structure includes a plurality of components forming urn chambers for receiving at least one urn. The front opening of each component is closed by a door. The components are arranged in horizontal rows with the side walls of the components being located next to one another. At least two rows of components are arranged on top of each other. The structure has an interior for forming a common chamber for abandoned urns which are to be pushed through the rear opening of each component.

Abstract: The double depth crypt which permits having two crypt compartments completely independent from each other. The double depth crypt including a lower crypt compartment having an upper edge, and an upper crypt compartment that has a lower cover portion configured to mate with and seal on the upper edge of the lower crypt compartment. The upper crypt compartment also has an upper edge on which a separate cover is placed. The upper crypt compartment and the cover portion can be formed using a standard cover adhered to the lower portion of a crypt housing, or can be integrally molded as a unit.

Abstract: A niche construction comprised of a wall of reinforced concrete which has a surface with recesses formed therein which have openings which extend to the surface, box liners of non-combustible plastic material which have fiberglass fibers disposed therein, the liners disposed in said recesses, and an adhesive adherent to the liner and to said concrete disposed on the exterior surface of the liner and the interior of the recess and which forms a bond between the box liner and the reinforced concrete to prevent removal of the box liner.

Abstract: A moveable mausoleum cover comprises at least one row of at least one crypt cover door moveable horizontally; the door has a front surface and a rear surface. A pocket wall comprises an end panel adjacent to the door and rotatable around a pivot point, between a closed position and an open position; the end panel having a front surface and a rear surface. A horizontal track is located a spaced distance behind the rear surface of the crypt cover door and a spaced distance behind the rear surface of the end panel; the track having a hollow guide rail. A connector means is contained within the hollow guide rail; and there is a means for mounting the connector means to the rear surface of the crypt cover door.

Abstract: A memorial cremation ashes holder providing for niches in a stone slab for holding of ashes, the slab having cylindrical apertures drilled with an open end opening through the display face of the stone slab but which is substantially hidden by using a cylindrical core in the drilled aperture until use of the aperture is necessary.

Abstract: An urn-like cannister for storing and transporting cremated remains, preferably of a molded plastic material, includes a pliable lid with sealing edges for enclosure of the remains in a substantially water and air tight environment. The cannister has a flanged portion around its top periphery and tapered locking tabs outwardly extending on its sidewalls and in spaced relationship to the cannister flange. The cannister is adapted to be inserted into one of an array of like openings formed in a niche plate, of a type having a recessed flange surrounding each niche opening. Upon insertion, the flange and locking tabs of the cannister engage opposing surfaces of the niche plate flange to securely hold the cannister in place. The niche plate opening is then closed by a scroll plate which is attached to the niche plate by threaded tamper proof fasteners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for attaching facing pieces to building structures in predetermined horizontal row and vertical tier arrangements. This method and apparatus is particularly well-suited for mounting removable marble face stones to crypt vaults in mausoleums. Anchor blocks are set in the structure in predetermined vertical and horizontal alignment positions and mounting bolts upon which the facing pieces hang are inserted into the anchor blocks. The mounting bolts are characterized by their ability to produce an eccentric motion which is used to cam the facing piece horizontally or vertically and thereby providing means for making small adjustments necessitated by the fact that the building structure and/or the face pieces have slightly irregular dimensions. Shims are used to make adjustments in the third dimension.

Abstract: A slab hanger-fastener for supporting and securing shutter slabs over mausoleum vaults or niches. The device is structured so that it may be used to secure shutter slabs at the corners or intermediate portions of the slabs. A mechanism of the same design and construction may be used to secure slabs at the end, bottom and top margins of a vault or niche structure. The support member of the mechanism is adjustable relative to the walls of the vault or niche and may be securely locked in desired position with a solitary locking mechanism.

Abstract: A slab-hanging device which removably supports the slabs of crypts in the desired flush array of a whole series of such slabs, as provide the front and removable wall of mausoleum crypts, which has an auxiliary support member adjustably supporting the device in a desired position in front of the crypts' supporting structure and in a desired particular position in front of that structure and accommodating the irregularities of that surface, preventing sagging of the slab-support caused by heaviness of the slabs.

Abstract: A coffin for properly displaying and transporting a corpse is combined with features of a burial vault or crypt so that only the single unit is needed to inter the corpse. The coffin-vault combination, although inexpensively thin walled, is constructed in such a manner, with particular reinforcing and interlocking means, that numerous units may be stacked, one above another, above or below ground. When above ground they may constitute modules for constructing a mausoleum. Each unit has valves which may be connected to conduits and fluid and gas control units for the single unit, or a column, or columns of units constituting an entire mausoleum.

Abstract: An arrangement for holding cremation ashes in which the apertures into which the ashes are to be placed are preformed and are positioned so as to leave a front decorative face unbroken until needed whereupon the face can be broken so as to gain access to the aperture and very quickly thereafter be covered by a commemorative plaque.

Abstract: Backing plates, each having a relatively large centrally disposed through opening, are positioned in mortar in a predetermined vertical plane to provide flat coplanar surfaces for receiving support brackets for crypt fronts thereagainst. Each bracket has spaced horizontal slots through which expansion bolts extend and pass through said backing plate opening which properly positions the bolts to avoid cracking the concrete of the crypt partition. The horizontal slots provide adjustability for accommodating differences in dimensions between the compartmented crypt structure and the fronts. Means is also provided in the bracket to accommodate differences in thickness between adjacent fronts to insure vertical alignment of the forward facing surfaces thereof.