Funeral urn system and method of using same

A funeral urn system comprising: a funeral urn defining an urn proximal attachment and a substantially opposed urn distal attachment, the funeral urn including an urn body defining an ashes receiving cavity and an urn aperture leading into the ashes receiving cavity, the funeral urn also including an urn cap selectively securable to the urn body in register with the urn aperture to seal the ashes receiving cavity; and a spear head cap, the spear head cap defining a cap proximal attachment and a substantially opposed cap distal end section tapering in a direction leading away from the cap proximal attachment. The urn proximal and distal attachments are configured and sized to be selectively attachable respectively to the urn distal and proximal attachments of another urn similar to the funeral urn. The urn distal attachment is configured and sized to be selectively attachable to the cap proximal attachment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of cremation, and, more particularly, to a funeral urn system and a method of using same.

BACKGROUND

The prior art proposes numerous funeral urn systems usable for burying a plurality of funeral urns in the ground. The funeral urn systems of the prior art generally comprise one or more closable tubular elements buried or otherwise formed in the ground of a burial site, and in which are inserted one or more funeral urns.

While these prior art devices can generally fulfill the main objective of allowing the burial of one or more funeral urns in the grounds, they also entail one or more of the following disadvantages.

The funeral urn systems of the prior art generally require the digging of a bore or multiple bores in the ground, which inevitably involves additional costs related to managing the thus excavated earth and sometimes providing post-earthworks and land terracing. In the case of recycled burial sites, additional costs may be related to managing bone pieces and coffin material excavated therefrom.

The maximum number of funeral urns that can be buried in a single bore provided in the ground is generally limited to depth of the latter.

The funeral urn systems of the prior art generally do not provide a relatively simple means of retrieving the urns from the burial site once they have been inserted are buried therein.

Some funeral urn systems of the prior art further require expensive drilling equipment and additional headstone elements for providing a burial site ready to receive funeral urns.

Against this background, there exists a need for an improved funeral urn system. An object of the present invention is to provide such an improved funeral urn system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, the invention provides a funeral urn system, the funeral urn system comprising: a funeral urn defining an urn proximal attachment and a substantially opposed urn distal attachment, the funeral urn including an urn body defining an ashes receiving cavity and an urn aperture leading into the ashes receiving cavity, the funeral urn also including an urn cap selectively securable to the urn body in register with the urn aperture to seal the ashes receiving cavity; and a spear head cap, the spear head cap defining a cap proximal attachment and a substantially opposed cap distal end section tapering in a direction leading away from the cap proximal attachment. The urn proximal and distal attachments are configured and sized to be selectively attachable respectively to the urn distal and proximal attachments of an other urn similar to the funeral urn; and the urn distal and cap proximal attachments are configured and sized to be selectively attachable to each other.

In a variant, the funeral urn system further comprises a burial sleeve having a substantially elongated tubular configuration, the burial sleeve being configured and sized for slidably receiving thereinto, for example substantially freely slidably, the funeral urn with the spear head cap attached to the urn distal attachment.

In some embodiments of the invention, the burial sleeve defines substantially longitudinally opposed sleeve proximal and distal apertures and a sleeve passageway extending therebetween, the sleeve proximal and distal apertures being configured and sized to allow movement of the funeral urn therethrough with the spear head cap attached to the urn distal attachment.

In some embodiments of the invention, a burial marker cap is positionable across the sleeve proximal aperture and attachable to the burial sleeve.

In some embodiments of the invention, the burial sleeve is configured and sized for receiving a stack of urns including a plurality of the funeral urn attached to each other through the urn proximal and distal attachments.

In some embodiments of the invention, one of the urn proximal and distal attachments includes an attachment protrusion extending substantially longitudinally away from the remainder of the funeral urn and a locking prong extending substantially laterally away from the attachment protrusion spaced apart from the remainder of the funeral urn so as to define an attachment gap between the remainder of the funeral urn and the locking prong; and an other one of the urn proximal and distal attachments includes an attachment recess extending substantially longitudinally into the urn body from an attachment recess outer end to a substantially longitudinally opposed attachment recess inner end, the other one of the urn proximal and distal attachments also defining a locking channel extending substantially laterally from the attachment recess and a locking groove extending substantially circumferentially from the locking channel peripherally relative to the attachment recess and spaced apart from the attachment recess outer end, the attachment recess and the locking channel being respectively configured and sized for longitudinally receiving the attachment protrusion and the locking prong thereinto, the locking groove being also configured and sized for receiving the locking prong thereinto when said attachment protrusion is in said attachment recess.

For example, the attachment protrusion and the attachment recess each have a substantially cylindrical configuration.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the locking channel extends over an arc segment that is between about 45 degrees and about 270 degrees in angular extent.

In some embodiments of the invention, the one of the urn proximal and distal attachments is the urn proximal attachment and the other one of the urn proximal and distal attachments is the urn distal attachment.

In some embodiments of the invention, the cap proximal attachment is similar to the urn proximal attachment.

In some embodiments of the invention, the urn body defines an urn body proximal surface adjacent the urn proximal attachment, the urn aperture extending through the urn body proximal surface, the urn proximal attachment being defined by the urn cap.

In some embodiments of the invention, the cap distal end section defines a point opposed to the cap proximal attachment. For example, the cap distal end section is substantially conical.

In a variant, the funeral urn system further comprises a burial marker cap, the burial marker cap including a marker distal attachment selectively attachable to the urn proximal attachment.

In a variant, the funeral urn system further comprises a burial sleeve having a substantially elongated tubular configuration, the burial sleeve being configured and sized for substantially freely slidably receiving thereinto the funeral urn with the spear head cap attached to the urn distal attachment, the burial sleeve defining substantially longitudinally opposed sleeve proximal and distal apertures and a sleeve passageway extending therebetween, the sleeve proximal and distal apertures being configured and sized to allow the funeral urn to go therethrough with the spear head cap attached to the urn distal attachment; and a burial tool for inserting the burial sleeve into a ground, the burial tool including a driving stake, the driving stake including a driving element defining a driving element point and configured and sized so as to be substantially fittingly received in the burial sleeve, the driving stake also including a spacing member extending from the driving element substantially away from the driving element point, the spacing member being configured and sized so as to extend along about the whole length of the burial sleeve and protrude proximally therefrom when the driving element is positioned in the burial sleeve with the driving element point protruding from the sleeve distal aperture.

In some embodiments of the invention, the burial tool further includes an impact anvil of a larger diameter than the burial sleeve and positionable across the burial sleeve opposed to the driving element, the impact anvil defining a spacing member receiving portion for receiving part of the spacing member thereinto.

In a variant, the impact anvil defines an anvil recess for receiving the urn cap and an anvil shoulder extending peripherally relative to the anvil recess for abutting against the urn body with the urn cap is received in the anvil recess.

In a variant, the urn proximal and distal attachments are configured and sized to be selectively reversibly attachable respectively to the urn distal and proximal attachments of the other urn.

In another broad aspect, the invention provides a method of burying a funeral urn, the method comprising: burying in the ground part of a substantially tubular burial sleeve, the burial sleeve defining a sleeve proximal aperture, a substantially longitudinally opposed sleeve distal aperture and a sleeve passageway extending therebetween, the sleeve passageway being substantially empty after the burial sleeve has been buried into the ground; and inserting the funeral urn in the burial sleeve.

In a variant, the method further comprises closing the sleeve proximal aperture using a burial marker cap.

In a variant, the funeral urn is part of an urn stack including a plurality of the funeral urn attached to each other, the urn stack terminating in a point, inserting the funeral urn in the burial sleeve including inserting the urn stack in the burial sleeve.

In a variant, the urn stack is longer than the burial sleeve, the method further comprising pushing the urn stack into the ground such that the urn stack protrudes from the sleeve distal aperture.

Some advantages of the funeral urn system and method of the present invention are as follows.

In typical use, the funeral urn system does not require any digging at all since a bore in the ground for the funeral urns is formed through the use of the burial tool. Thus, the use of the funeral urn system described above avoids costly operations deriving from digging burial graves, post-burial earthworks and land terracing, as well as costs related to the management of bone pieces and coffin material excavated from recycled burial sites.

The number of funeral urns that can be serially buried in the ground at a single location is relatively larger than for other funeral urn systems of the prior art since additional funeral urns may be serially buried in an already filled up burial bore provided in the ground, by using the burial tool.

The funeral urn system may be advantageously used to recycle disused burial sites since the impact resistant and spear-shaped head cap positioned at a distal end of the burial tool and at the distal end of serially engaged funeral urns, can relatively easily drive its way through earth, gravel, multiple buried coffins and loose rocks.

Serially buried funeral urns at a single location may be relatively easily retrieved from a burial site, for examples, when a forensic examination and analysis on a particular funeral urn is required, or a particular funeral urn needs to be relocated at another site.

Prior to, or alternatively to, the burial operation, the funeral urns may as well be individually used for conventional display on a horizontal surface at home or at a mausoleum.

The components of the funeral urn system of the present invention are typically relatively simple and economical to manufacture.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 16show various aspects of a funeral urn system11usable for the burial of one or more funeral urns10in a stackable manner at a single vertical location in the ground13, as seen for example inFIG. 16.

The funeral urn system11generally includes a burial sleeve40having a substantially elongated tubular configuration that can be partially buried in the ground13and closable with a burial marker cap60(seen inFIG. 15). The funeral urn system11further comprises at least one funeral urn10and a spear head cap26. Typically, the funeral urn system11is used by assembling one or a series of more than one serially engaged funeral urns10that are in turn serially engaged between the burial marker cap60and the spear head cap26. The burial sleeve40is configured and sized for substantially freely slidably receiving thereinto the funeral urn10, or the series of funeral urns10, with the spear head cap26attached to the distalmost funeral urn10. In some embodiments of the invention, the funeral urn system11further comprises a burial tool50, seen for example inFIG. 1, usable for burying in the ground13the burial sleeve40as well as burying deeper in the ground13a series of mutually engaged funeral urns10assembled with a spear head cap26that are slidably engaged in the burial sleeve40buried in the ground13.

FIGS. 3 to 10show more particularly various aspects of an embodiment of a funeral urn10part of the funeral urn system11, according to the present invention. As best illustrated inFIG. 3, the funeral urn10generally includes an urn body12for containing the funeral ashes of a deceased individual (not shown in the drawings), and an urn cap14for sealing the funeral urn10.

The urn body12and urn cap14are typically made of a substantially impact resistant and rust proof material, or combination of materials, such as, for example, stainless steel, a rust-proof iron, wood, a polymeric material, a bio-degradable material, and the likes. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the urn body12and urn cap14are made of stainless steel for extended durability once the funeral urn10is buried, for example, in the ground13or in a sea bottom, or simply dropped in the sea.

Typically, the urn body12has a generally cylindrical and hollow configuration defining an ashes receiving cavity15. The urn body12also defines an urn proximal end16and an urn distal end18. The urn body12defines an urn aperture20leading to the ashes receiving cavity15through which the ashes may be poured in. The urn aperture20is shaped and sized for receiving and selectively sealingly securing thereto the urn cap14in register therewith. Typically, the urn aperture20is provided at the urn proximal end16and has a relatively smaller diameter with respect to the diameter of the urn body12, thus defining an urn proximal surface22(seen for example inFIG. 4) therearound.

The terminology distal and proximal refers to the distance from an intended user of the funeral urn system11in a typical use in which the funeral urns10are inserted vertically in the ground13. Therefore, distal elements are buried deeper in the ground13than distal elements. This terminology is used to facilitate the description of the funeral urn system11and should not be used to restrict the scope of the present invention. Also, the terminology “substantially” is used to denote variations in the thus qualified terms that have no significant effect on the principle of operation of the funeral urn system11. These variations may be minor variations in design or variations due to mechanical tolerances in manufacturing and use of the funeral urn system11. These variations are to be seen with the eye of the reader skilled in the art.

The funeral urn10defines an urn proximal attachment17, better seen for example inFIG. 5, and a substantially opposed urn distal attachment19(seen inFIG. 6). The urn proximal and distal attachments17and19are configured and sized to be selectively attachable, typically reversibly, respectively to the urn distal and proximal attachments19and17of another urn10similar to the funeral urn10.

Also, as seen for example inFIG. 3, the spear head cap26defines a cap proximal attachment25and a substantially opposed cap distal end section44tapering in a direction leading away from the cap proximal attachment25. The urn distal attachment19is configured and sized to be selectively attachable to the cap proximal attachment25.

A specific embodiment of the urn proximal and distal attachments17and19is described hereinbelow. In this embodiment, the urn proximal attachment17is a “male” attachment defining a protrusion and the urn distal attachment19is a “female” attachment defining a recess for receiving the protrusion. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to reverse the locations of the male and female attachments. Also, other types of attachments can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

More specifically, referring toFIG. 6for example, the urn distal attachment19includes an attachment recess24extending substantially longitudinally into the urn body12from an attachment recess outer end27to a substantially longitudinally opposed attachment recess inner end29. In other words, the attachment recess24extends in a proximal direction. The attachment recess24is shaped and sized for selectively engaging, in a twist and lock relation, either an urn cap14that is typically sealingly attached to another funeral urn10, as best illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, or the cap proximal attachment25of a spear head cap26, as illustrated inFIGS. 3,4and6. Typically, the attachment recess24has a cylindrical configuration.

The urn proximal attachment17is defined by the urn cap14. To that effect, as seen for example inFIG. 3, the urn cap14is typically generally cylindrical and defines an urn cap proximal end28and an urn cap distal end30. The urn cap distal end30is configured and size for abutting against and sealingly closing the urn aperture20of the urn body12using any conventional means such as a soldering process, a thermal bonding process, glue, or the likes. The attachment recess24is configured and sized for longitudinally receiving the urn cap14thereinto.

The urn cap14therefore forms an attachment protrusion extending substantially longitudinally away from the remainder of the funeral urn10. The urn cap proximal end28is closed with a circular proximal wall member and provided with a locking prong32extending laterally away from a circumferential portion thereof, or in other words from the attachment protrusion. The locking prong32is spaced apart from the remainder of the funeral urn10so as to define an attachment gap31(seen for example inFIG. 5) between the remainder of the funeral urn10and the locking prong32. The locking prong32is shaped and sized for slidably engaging in a compatibly shaped and sized locking channel38(seen for example inFIG. 6) extending substantially laterally from the attachment recess24. The locking channel38is configured and sized for longitudinally receiving the locking prong32thereinto.

The attachment recess24has a substantially cylindrical configuration extending inwardly in a proximal direction relative to the urn distal end18, thus defining a distal circumferential edge36. The attachment recess24has a diameter that is suitably sized for substantially freely slidably receiving therein the urn cap14.

A locking groove34extends substantially circumferentially from the locking channel38peripherally relative to the attachment recess24and spaced apart from the attachment recess outer end29. The locking groove34is therefore a partially-circular groove extending along an proximal inner cylindrical surface portion of the attachment recess24, with one end originating at the locking channel38. The locking groove34may extend around the inner cylindrical surface of the attachment recess24, for example, between one eighth (⅛) and three-quarter (¾) of a circle. This corresponds to the locking groove34extending over an arc segment that is between about 45 degrees and about 270 degrees in angular extent. For example, the locking groove34extends one-quarter (¼) of a circle. The locking groove34is configured and sized for receiving the locking prong32thereinto.

Furthermore, and for esthetic reasons, when the urn cap14is sealingly attached to the urn aperture20, the locking prong32is typically longitudinally aligned with the locking channel38. Thus, the funeral urn10may be conveniently positioned and radially oriented for display, for example, on a shelf, such that both the locking prong32of the urn cap14and the locking channel38of the urn body12are substantially hidden behind the funeral urn10.

The funeral urn10typically has a diameter that is relatively slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the burial sleeve40selectively used for the burial of one or more funeral urns10in a longitudinal serial fashion into the ground13. Referring toFIG. 1, the burial sleeve40defines substantially longitudinally opposed sleeve proximal and distal apertures70and80and a sleeve passageway71, better seen inFIG. 2, extending therebetween. The sleeve proximal and distal apertures70and80are configured and sized to allow movement of the funeral urn10therethrough with the spear head cap26attached to the urn distal attachment19. Typically, the burial sleeve40is configured and sized for receiving a stack of urns including a plurality of the funeral urn10attached to each other through the urn proximal and distal attachments17and19, as seen inFIG. 11.

Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention, the funeral urn10may have an overall longitudinal length, which includes the urn body12and the urn cap14, that is roughly between 6 inches and 2 feet (roughly between 15.2 cm and 60.9 cm). For example, the funeral urn10has an overall longitudinal length of roughly one foot (30.5 cm).

In an alternative embodiment of a funeral urn system11(not shown), according to the present invention, the funeral urn10has the locking channel38replaced with a channel extending vertically along an inner circumferential portion of the attachment recess24, and which is having sufficient dimension for allowing the locking prong32of an urn cap14to be substantially freely slidably inserted vertically therealong in order to reach one end of the horizontally extending locking channel38. Thus, there is no notch that is visibly apparent along the outer circumferential surface of the urn body12.

Referring toFIG. 3, the spear head cap26defines a cap proximal end42and a cap distal end section44opposed thereto. The spear head cap26is substantially identically shaped and sized as the urn cap14adjacent the cap proximal end42, including a spear head cap locking prong32. The cap proximal attachment25is for lockingly engaging into the attachment recess24of a funeral urn10. Therefore, the cap proximal attachment25is similar to the urn proximal attachment17.

The cap distal end section44defines a point45opposed to the cap proximal attachment25. For example, the cap distal end section44is substantially conical and usable as an impact boring head in cooperative relation with an impact anvil46, which will be described further below.

The spear head cap26is made of a substantially impact-proof and rust proof material. Typically, the spear head cap26may be made of the same material as the funeral urn10.

In an alternative embodiment of a funeral urn system11, according to the present invention, the attachment recess24and spear head cap26may both be provided with more than one locking prong32with corresponding locking channel38and locking groove34combinations. For example, in alternate embodiments, the attachment recess24and spear head cap26may be provided with either two or three locking prongs32, locking channel38and locking groove34combinations.

Various aspects of a burial tool50for inserting the burial sleeve40into a ground13are illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The burial tool50is usable, in cooperative relation with the substantially elongated and tubular burial sleeve40and a burial marker cap60, for the burial in the ground13of one or more funeral urn10, as illustrated inFIGS. 11 to 16inclusively, as described hereinbelow.

The burial tool50generally includes an impact anvil46and a driving stake52. The driving stake52includes a driving element78defining a driving element point79and configured and sized so as to be substantially fittingly received in the burial sleeve40. The driving stake52also includes a spacing member74extending from the driving element78substantially away from the driving element point79. The spacing member74is configured and sized so as to extend along about the whole length of the burial sleeve40and protrude proximally therefrom when the driving element78is positioned in the burial sleeve40with the driving element point79protruding from the sleeve distal aperture80.

The impact anvil46is typically represented by a solid body made of a substantially impact resistant and relatively heavy material such as, for examples, steel, cast iron, brass or any suitable metal alloy. The impact anvil46is of a larger diameter than the burial sleeve40and positionable across the burial sleeve40opposed to the driving element78. The impact anvil46typically defines a substantially flat anvil proximal surface56and a substantially flat anvil distal surface58.

The anvil distal surface58is provided with a spacing member receiving portion62for receiving part of the spacing member74thereinto. For example, the spacing member receiving portion62takes the form of a centrally disposed and perpendicularly proximally extending recess that is shaped and sized for receiving and engaging therein, in a substantially substantially freely slidable relation, a proximal end portion64of the spacing member74, as illustrated inFIG. 2.

Furthermore, as best illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 16, the impact anvil46defines an anvil recess66for receiving the urn cap14and an anvil shoulder67extending peripherally relative to the anvil recess66for abutting against the urn body12, and more specifically the urn proximal surface22with the urn cap14received in the anvil recess66. Typically, the anvil recess66is coaxially disposed relative to the spacing member receiving portion62.

In some embodiments of the invention, the anvil distal surface58further defines a centrally disposed and concentric sleeve engaging groove68that is shaped and sized for receiving and stably engaging therein the burial sleeve40adjacent the sleeve proximal aperture70. The sleeve engaging groove68is typically relatively shallower than the spacing member receiving portion62.

In specific embodiments of the invention, given as example only, the impact anvil46has overall dimensions that are ranging roughly between 3 to 5 inches (7.6 to 12.7 cm) of height, and between 3 to 5 inches (7.6 to 12.7 cm) in lateral diameter. Other dimensions are also possible. The spacing member receiving portion62may have an overall longitudinal length, including the anvil recess66that is roughly between 2 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm).

Now referring more particularly toFIGS. 1 and 2, the spacing member74is typically generally elongated. In some embodiments of the invention, the spacing member74is provided with a transversal opening76(seen only inFIG. 1) proximally located for attaching thereto a conventional puller means (not shown) usable for pulling the driving stake52out of the ground13. For example, a relatively simple and commercially available puller means may be represented by a relatively short chain link having one end attachable to the spacing member74, for example using a screw and nut combination, and the opposite end provided with a transversal handle bar or the like.

The driving element78includes a sleeve engaging portion81and a ground penetrating element83. The sleeve engaging portion81has a lateral diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner circumferential diameter of the burial sleeve40such that the driving stake52may be substantially freely slidably inserted therein. The ground penetrating element83extends distally from the sleeve engaging portion81and is, for example, conical.

Furthermore, the overall longitudinal length of the driving stake52is such that, when the driving stake52is inserted inside the burial sleeve40in an operative configuration, the sleeve engaging portion81extends through the sleeve distal aperture80and the spacing member74protrudes proximally from the burial sleeve40such that the spacing member74is receivable in the spacing member receiving portion62with the burial sleeve40received in the sleeve engaging groove68.

The tubular burial sleeve40is represented by a substantially elongated and open ended tubular member having preferably a circular transversal cross-section.

In other embodiments of a funeral urn system11, according to the present invention, the transversal cross-section of the burial sleeve40, and consequently the compatibly shaped transversal cross-section of the anvil recess66of the impact anvil46, the urn body12of the funeral urn10, and outer circumference of the driving element78, may have any other suitable configuration than circular. For examples, an oval transversal cross-section, or a polygonal transversal cross-section such as a hexagonal transversal cross-section or an octagonal transversal cross-section.

In some embodiments of the invention, the burial sleeve40is provided with a plurality of burial sleeve screw holes82equidistantly disposed around the circumference thereof adjacent the sleeve proximal aperture70. The burial sleeve screw holes82are usable in cooperative relation with a burial marker cap60positionable across the sleeve proximal aperture70and attachable to the burial sleeve40using a corresponding number of screws84for closing the sleeve proximal aperture70, as best illustrated inFIG. 11. The burial marker cap60will be described further below.

Thus, with the spacing member receiving portion62and the sleeve engaging groove68that are stably engaged with the spacing member74and the tubular burial sleeve40respectively, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the combination represented by the burial tool50and the burial sleeve40generally forms an elongated member whose pointed distal end can be hammered into the ground13using a conventional sledge hammer90or the like.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the burial sleeve40may have a longitudinal length of roughly between 6 inches (about 15 cm) and 12 feet (about 3.6 meters). Other length dimensions of the burial sleeve40are also possible. For example, the burial sleeve40has a longitudinal length of about 5 feet (about 1.5 meters). Furthermore, the burial sleeve40may have a diameter of roughly between two inches and 10 inches (roughly between 5 cm and 25.4 cm), although other dimensions are possible. For example, the burial sleeve40has a diameter of about three inches (about 7.6 cm).

Once the combination described above has been hammered into the ground13, with the burial sleeve40protruding thereof by, for example, a length of roughly between one inch and two feet (roughly between 2.5 cm and 61 cm), the impact anvil46may be removed, followed with the removal of the driving stake52by hand or with the help of a conventional puller means if required.

Afterward, the burial marker cap60is attached, typically removably, to the burial sleeve40using screws84, for securely closing the sleeve proximal aperture70, as best illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 14.

Now referring more particularly toFIGS. 11 to 15inclusively, the burial marker cap60generally includes a cap member92defining a cap member proximal end portion94and a cap member distal end portion96. The burial marker cap60further includes a burial marker plate100defining a base portion102that is removably attachable to the cap member proximal end portion94of the cap member92using screws84.

As best illustrated inFIG. 12, the burial cap distal end portion96defines a substantially flat surface that is provided with a marker distal attachment104selectively attachable to the urn proximal attachment17. The marker distal attachment104is shaped similarly to the urn distal attachment19. Also, typically, a centrally disposed and concentric cap member engaging groove106is also formed in the cap member92.

The marker distal attachment104is for engaging, in a similar fashion as the attachment recess24(e.g. in a twist and lock relation) an urn cap14that is typically sealingly attached to the proximal end of a funeral urn10, as best illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13.

The cap member engaging groove106is configured, shaped and sized similar or identical to the sleeve engaging groove68of the impact anvil46described further above. The cap member engaging groove106is for engaging the burial sleeve40adjacent the sleeve proximal aperture70.

The cap member92further includes a plurality of cap member screw holes108for removably attaching the latter to the burial sleeve40using screws84. The cap member screw holes108extend radially inwardly between outer peripheral portions of the cap member92and the cap member engaging groove106. The cap member screw holes108are in corresponding number and are equidistantly disposed around the outer peripheral portion of the cap member92such that they are substantially in register with the burial sleeve screw holes82. The cap member proximal end portion94is further provided with burial plate screw holes110, for removably attaching thereto the burial marker plate100.

As exemplified in the drawings, the burial marker plate100may be represented by an angular plate member generally defining a proximal plate portion112for inscribing thereon burial markings, epitaphs and the likes, and a base portion102that is provided with a plurality of marker plate screw holes114for removably attaching the burial marker plate100to the cap member proximal end portion94of the cap member92using screws84.

It is to be understood that the burial marker plate100may have any other suitable configuration such as, for example, a three-dimensional element such as a sphere-shaped member, a cube-shaped member, a cylinder-shaped member, an abstract form, a figurine-shaped form, or the likes.

In some embodiments of the invention, the screws84used for removably attaching the burial marker plate100to the cap member92and the cap member92to the burial sleeve40have a screw-head key configuration of the temper-proof type that is not compatible with standard screwdriver configurations, for preventing vandalism or unauthorized removal of the burial marker plate100and/or the cap member92. This type of temper-proof screws and compatible screwdrivers are commercially available through specialized markets for original equipment manufacturers (OEM).

The burial sleeve40, the cap member92, the burial marker plate100and screws84are typically made of a substantially rigid and rust proof metal such as, for example, stainless steel, brass, a suitable metal alloy, or the likes.

In an alternate embodiment of a funeral urn system11(not shown), according to the present invention, the burial marker cap60is removably attached to the burial sleeve40in any other suitable manner, for example through a pair of hook members fixedly attached on diametrically opposite sides of the burial sleeve40. These hook members are used in cooperative relation with an elongated strip of metal bent in a substantially U-shaped configuration for diametrically encompassing the cap member92and which is provided with suitable openings at each distal end thereof for engaging the hook members, and a pair of padlocks for selectively locking the burial marker cap60on the burial sleeve40.

In another alternative embodiment of a funeral urn system11, according to the present invention, the burial marker cap60, instead of being removably attached to the burial sleeve40, is fixedly attached thereto using rivets, a conventional soldering process, a conventional thermal bonding process, a suitable glue, or the likes. Thus, the burial marker cap60may require thereafter a drill tool, a grinder tool, a blowtorch, or the likes, for removing the latter from the burial sleeve40.

In yet other alternate embodiments of a funeral urn system11, according to the present invention, the burial marker plate100may be made of stone material such as granite, marble or the likes, that is screwed, glued or otherwise rigidly attached to the cap member proximal end portion94.

A typical mode of usage of the funeral urn system11, according to the present invention, generally consists of the following steps.

In a first step, funeral ashes of a deceased person or persons are poured in the urn body12of a funeral urn10, followed with sealing the urn aperture20with an urn cap14, for example using a suitable soldering process.

At this point, the funeral urn10may simply be put permanently or temporarily for display, for example, on a horizontal surface at home or at a mausoleum. Optionally, the sealed funeral urn10containing the ashes may be buried using the following steps.

In a second step, the burial tool50and burial sleeve40may be coaxially assembled, along with the impact anvil46stably engaged adjacent the sleeve proximal aperture, as illustrated inFIG. 1to bury the tubular sleeve40into the ground13. For example, this is performed with impacting the anvil proximal surface56with sufficient force using, for example, the sledge hammer90or the like, for simultaneously driving the driving stake52and the burial sleeve40into the ground13until only a portion of the burial sleeve40protrudes from the ground13.

In a third step, the impact anvil46and driving stake52are removed using, if required, a puller means attached through the transversal opening76. The sleeve passageway71is therefore substantially empty after the burial sleeve40has been buried into the ground13.

In a fourth step, a first sealed funeral urn10has its urn cap14lockingly engaged in the marker distal attachment104of the burial marker cap60, and the cap proximal attachment25of a spear head cap26lockingly engaged into the attachment recess24of the funeral urn10.

In a fifth step, the funeral urn10is inserted in the burial sleeve40and the burial marker cap60, sealed funeral urn10and spear head cap26assembly is engaged and securely attached to the burial sleeve40partially buried in the ground13using, for example, temper-proof screws84. The sleeve proximal aperture70is thus closed using the burial marker cap60.

Optionally, additional sealed funeral urns10may be buried in a same burial sleeve40using the following steps.

In a sixth step, the burial marker cap60is unscrewed and removed from the burial sleeve40, additional sealed funeral urns10are serially lockingly engaged to one another, and between the burial marker cap60and the spear head cap26, and the resulting assembly is engaged and securely attached to the burial sleeve40. The attached funeral urns10form an urn stack including a plurality of the funeral urns10attached to each other, the urn stack terminating in a point due to the spear head cap26.

Optionally, in a seventh step, and when the urn stack is longer than the burial sleeve40, or in other words when the spear head cap26abuts at the bottom of the bore created by the driving stake52, and the last funeral urn10at the proximal end of an assembled series protrudes above the burial sleeve40, as illustrated inFIG. 16, the impact anvil46is engaged on top of the proximalmost funeral urn10, and the sledge hammer90or the like is used to impact sufficient force to push the series of sealed urns10deeper in the ground13until the anvil distal surface58abuts against the burial sleeve40.

While the burial sleeve40may be for example only 5 feet long (1.5 meters), an elongated series of mutually engaged sealed urns10may thus be relatively easily additionally buried much deeper, and at the same burial site, to reach 25 feet or more (7.6 meters) into, for example, a soft burial ground13such as a clay, silt or sand based ground13, or the like.

In an eighth step, the burial marker cap60is lockingly engaged, in a twist and lock relation, with the urn cap14of the proximalmost sealed funeral urn10, and simultaneously engaged on top of the burial sleeve40, after which the burial marker cap60may again be securely attached thereto using temper-proof screws84.

Optionally, in a tenth step, or simultaneously with any of the steps described above, only the burial marker plate100may be temporarily removed for updating the inscriptions appearing on it or replaced altogether with a new one.

Furthermore, serially buried funeral urns10at a single location may be relatively easily retrieved from a burial site, for examples, when a forensic examination and analysis on a particular funeral urn is required, or a particular funeral urn needs to be relocated at another site.

In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, a relatively short burial sleeve40may have a longitudinal length that is substantially equivalent to the longitudinal length of one sealed funeral urn10, e.g., comprising an urn body12sealed with an urn cap14. Thus, when a sealed funeral urn10is coaxially engaged within such a relatively short burial sleeve40, one end of the burial sleeve40substantially coincide with the urn cap proximal end28of the urn cap14, and the opposite end of the burial sleeve40substantially coincides with the urn distal end18thereof. Typically, the burial sleeve40and sealed funeral urn10may both have a longitudinal length of roughly one foot (30 cm). Thus, an alternative method of burying one or more such assembly of a sealed funeral urn10and a relatively short burial sleeves40is as follows.

In a first step, a spear head cap26is lockingly attached to the urn distal attachment19of the sealed funeral urn10, and this assembly is coaxially engaged within a burial sleeve40that is substantially the length of the funeral urn10.

In a second step, a user may abut the spear head cap26of the assembly of the previous step on the ground13, followed with engaging the impact anvil46on the urn cap14and burial sleeve40, and driving the assembly in the ground13using the sledge hammer90or the like.

In a third step, the impact anvil46is removed and a burial marker cap60is engaged and fixedly attached to the thus protruding burial sleeve40and urn cap14. Thus, a single funeral urn10is advantageously and effectively buried requiring only a minimum number of manual operations.

Optionally, in a fourth step, the burial marker cap60may be removed, followed with one or more subsequent assembly comprising only a sealed funeral urn10that is coaxially engaged in a relatively short burial sleeve40(e.g. without a spear head cap26).

In a fifth step, the assembly of the previous step has its distal end positioned in register and abutting against the proximal end of the burial sleeve40and urn cap14protruding from the ground13, followed with driving this additional urn and sleeve assembly, along with the one already buried, deeper in the ground13.

Using the method described above, there can be typically four to five such urn and sleeve assemblies that are subsequently buried in the ground13, followed with even more additional sealed urns10that are buried therewith, and this time, without additional short burial sleeve40, depending on the softness of the burial ground13, using the seventh step of the first method described further above.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a person skilled in the art may advantageously use the burial tool50for driving, for example, fence stakes in the ground13. For example, the impact anvil46and driving stake52may be used to drive in the ground13a series of equidistantly disposed burial sleeves40along a user defined fence line, followed with inserting the distal end of a fence stake into each hollow sleeve thus buried in the ground13.