Patent Publication Number: US-2005126086-A1

Title: Burial structure for interment of human remains and significant memorabilia

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/304,156, which will issue as U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,399, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/674,464, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,457 on Nov. 26, 2002, the contents of both patents are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention pertains to the burial of human beings after death. More particularly, the present invention concerns structures to contain the remains of multiple human beings therein. Even more particularly, the present invention pertains to burial structures for multiple numbers of human remains that render the remains contained therein unattainable and non-retrievable while effecting a proper, aesthetic and reverent memorial.  
     BACKGROUND ART  
      The funeral and after-death industry has long attended to the last needs of people. The traditional solution to the question of how to, in a dignified manner, dispose of the remains of the deceased has been either to bury the body in the earth or, if at sea, at the bottom of a large body of water. While these options will still be desired by many people, ecological concerns, considered in conjunction with the ever-growing world population and the increasing pressure to make available more arable land for crop production, will dictate in coming decades that other options be explored and more widely selected.  
      Excluding sea burial as a viable and ecological alternative, this leaves land burial. Even when sufficient tracks of land were available for the traditional burial of human remains in the ground, there has been the problems in the past of maintaining such properties in a fitting manner. Funding problems and simply the march of time have rendered often the corporations or people entrusted to oversee graveyards unable to fulfill their obligations, forcing state and local authorities to closely monitor such matters.  
      History has shown that such traditional methods of burial, even when expertly made to last millennia, will be subject to vandalism. A most famous case is the Egyptian pyramids, wherein the bodies were looted over time even though great strides were taken to conceal the burial chamber. This is due to the fact that workers needed to get out, and thus passages needed to be left.  
      Many cultures have considered cremation as a preferred means of laying to rest those of the community who have passed on. Even in western culture this option has risen in popularity. However, this option has encountered problems when carried forward in many areas, especially the United States.  
      One problem encountered has been the scattering of ashes. Many people have desired to spread the cremens of a loved one in a favorite park, lake or other area. However, many state, local and religious laws forbid such actions. Further, these acts cause a pollution which, likely, is unintended by the deceased.  
      Even if the loved one does not scatter the remains, an awkward situation develops. The cremens are contained in an urn, which is then kept around one&#39;s home. Social situations of an unpleasant variety can occur when visitors see an urn in a home. Alternately, keepers of the remains may decide to move the remains to a less visible place, causing urns to be kept in closets, basements or other more secluded locations. None of these scenarios gives a dignified and reverent resting place for the deceased.  
      Another problem has been how the cemetery industry has addressed cremen remains. Many parks and cemeteries simply allot a smaller parcel of ground for the internment. Thus, while this allows the person to be interned in less area, the cost reduction is not paralleled by the commensurate reduced area of ground utilized. Alternately, the cemeteries have mausoleums in which cremens are placed, often with memorabilia and pictures of the deceased. While a fit and dignified option, this is more expensive. Further, the remains are easily accessible, giving no real security that vandals or others will not be able to desecrate the remains.  
      A concern to the wider population and its municipalities is the land dedicated to the burial of human remains. As populations have increased, and the attention and care given to cemeteries and memorial parks has risen, traditional methods of burial will cause great pressures on local land usages. Even where one area has enough land to allow in-ground burial, the financial pressures for alternate land uses often will make such locations economically burdensome. As already mentioned, history has demonstrated that cemeteries have, regrettably, fallen into disrepair and even been so overgrown that the cemeteries become lost. In such circumstances, the reverence and beauty of the final resting place is greatly diminished, and the lack of permanent care shown. While it is known that local and state laws strive to now avoid this occurrence, it is well known that simply passing a law does not ensure its adherence.  
      A final concern is the design of the mausoleums. Following the traditional design, such structures are usually boxes. At times, the structures are hidden, such as underneath drives or in chapels. Marble and other cold building materials are used, which does not invite one to make frequent visits to the site and, if visited, does not uplift one who does visit. Such traditional designs of mausoleums may not offer the appropriately high level of reverence for the deceased loved one, particularly noting the higher elevation of expectations of the people today.  
      One attempt to address this final concern is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,994 issued to Chen. Chen teaches a honeycomb structure for internment of human remains. Multiple levels are built below ground, with crypts provided for interment of bodies. Aisleways are provided to visit individual crypts, where a marker is provided. Above ground, a structure is built, even in multiple stories, where cremens are contained. No particular structure is given for the building, and all remains are retrievable.  
      A similar facility in concept is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,627 issued to Booth. Booth teaches a buried structure for multiple, stacked crypts, which can be visited by a friend or relative. One level may come above ground, but the entire structure is covered with earth, optimally in the form of a frusto-pyramid. All crypts can be visited. Again, these remains are retrievable.  
      Early mausoleum designs were concerned with building economical structures. Such mausoleums were often formed with common walls between crypts, or comprised a common area wherein multiple urns were placed. In all cases, these mausoleums allowed access ways to visit the remains.  
      Additionally, such structures should be termed to be retrievable storage places for the human remains. In defining this term, what is meant by retrievable is that the remains are simply stored behind a cover, such as in a crypt, or simply are buried in the ground. Any body or cremens buried in the ground is retrievable simply by digging up the remains. Likewise, crypts are accessible by unscrewing and removing the cover plate. These are characterized by a low degree of difficulty in retrieving remains.  
      Some patents have attempted to address vandalism. One such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 1,964,234 issued Vogel. Vogel teaches the use of a fusible material with the cover plate to increase the time necessary to remove the cover plate, as well as increasing its difficulty. Vogel asserts that vandals will need to take too long to open such a vault, such that they or the damage they have done will be discovered. This presumes, however, a watchful guard or a crypt that is visited often. As people move away from burial centers, such sites may be visited by loved ones infrequently, even only with the interval of years, and then only at holidays or birthdays. Thus, months or more could pass between visits, and a hidden crypt is ripe fodder for vandals.  
      History notes that in two famous cases, among others possible, the body of a famous person was buried in the ground underneath several feet of cement. This was first done with the grave of Abraham Lincoln, whose grave had been the target of vandals. Later, the outlaw John Dillinger was interred likewise due to expected grave robbers. To prevent desecration of the body of gangster Al Capone, the family finally buried the man in an anonymous grave. Such situations as these should not need be resorted to for a proper burial.  
      Despite the efforts of Vogel and others, graves as commonly known now are, to the definition of the term in this application, retrievable. Even bodies like Lincoln and Dillinger are retrievable, though the effort would require heavy equipment and several days of effort. What is seen as non-retrievable is any situation of interment that would require not only heavy equipment, but additionally identification means, such as a map to find particular remains. Further, such remains would require not merely days or weeks, but rather require years to retrieve at prohibitive cost. Further, the time necessary to retrieve the remains only can be counted once privacy contracts have either been waived or necessary court orders obtained to direct the retrieval, not to mention the redress of the rights of the other remains being disturbed therein.  
      Thus, what is needed is a burial option that allows more interments of cremens in a given space. Further, what is needed is a burial structure that prevents desecration of the cremens by rendering the remains unattainable. Additionally, what is needed is for structure to place the modern technology at the usage of visitors within a structure design that enhances the memory of the departed and draws one to visit them, while doing so in a special manner. It is to these needs that the present invention is directed.  
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is a burial structure for the interment of multiple human remains, the structure comprising: 
          a plurality of individual burial units, each burial unit being disposed either upon the flooring or atop another burial unit, each burial unit comprising:     an outer container having a chamber formed therein;     an inner container which fits into the chamber of the outer container, the inner container holding the human remains to be stored in the individual burial unit;     a cover; and     a plurality of outer blocks surrounding and capping the individual burial units;     wherein the individual burial units directly contribute to the formation of the aesthetical portion of the burial structure.        

      The burial structure may further comprise an entryway and a main hallway, and a flooring upon which the containers and outer blocks are deployed atop.  
      The burial structure may further comprise means for sealing the cover to the outer container, and further comprise means for interlocking the containers stacked atop each other, and means for securing the cover to the outer container.  
      A second or alternate embodiment for a burial structure for the non-retrievable interment of human remains and any associated memorabilia therewith while forming a lasting memorial structure thereby to those therein interred may comprise: 
          a floor;     a plurality of containers to hold the human remains, each container comprising a bottom and a plurality of side walls cooperating to define a chamber, and further comprising a cover which fits atop the side walls parallel to the bottom of the container and acting to seal the chamber formed therein the container, wherein each container is either mounted upon the floor or upon another container;     a plurality of outer blocks, the blocks being deployed upon floor circumferentially about the deployment of the containers or being deployed upon each other, the blocks having means for interlocking with each other, the blocks providing the outer shell and protection for the burial structure.        

      Means for securing each cover to the side walls of its respective container is envisioned as part of the present invention. The floor has formed therein a plurality of slots. The slots formed in the floor are also deployed in a cross-hatch pattern ideally.  
      It is found in the burial structure that the bottom of each container may have formed thereon a plurality of ridges, and the cover of each container has formed therein a plurality of slots, wherein the ridges and slots are so formed as to be capable of mating and thereby interlocking the containers.  
      Additionally the bottom of each container has formed thereon a plurality of ridges, and the cover of each container has formed therein a plurality of slots, wherein the ridges of the containers and the slots of the floor and the covers are so formed as to be capable of mating and thereby interlocking the containers and the floor.  
      In the burial structure, the outer blocks have means for mating with the slots formed in the floor.  
      The burial structure in all embodiments may further comprise a capstone outer block, the capstone outer block being interlocking with the surrounding outer blocks onto which it is mounted, the capstone outer block and all other outer blocks cooperating to secure the burial container therewithin, the capstone block being sealable atop the containers and outer blocks upon which it is deployed.  
      The alternate embodiment of the burial structure of the present invention has the containers and outer blocks so disposed as to form a hallway and an entrance to the hallway substantially at ground level, the hallway being formed by outer blocks within the structure, such that the containers are not readily accessible from the hallway. The burial structure further comprises means for securing the cover to the outer container of each individual burial unit. The burial structure further comprises means for sealing the cover to the outer container of each individual burial unit.  
      A final particular embodiment of the burial structure for the non-retrievable interment of human remains and any associated memorabilia therewith, while forming a lasting memorial structure to those thus interred, comprises: 
          a floor having a plurality of slots formed therein, the floor being deployed below the grade of the land by a minimum of thirty feet;     a plurality of burial containers, the burial containers comprising at least one compartment formed of a high impact polymer, each burial container having a cover, a bottom and a plurality of sides cooperating to define an interior chamber, the chamber being where the human remains or memorabilia will be interred, the cover being mountable upon the plurality of sides to close the chamber, wherein the cover of each container has formed therein a plurality of slots in a manner similar to the floor, and wherein further the bottom of each container has a plurality of ridges formed thereto, the ridges being capable of interlocking insertion into the slots of either the floor or the top of another container, and wherein further the containers are stacked upon the floor and each other in an interlocking manner to provide greater building stability and to allow a hallway to be formed therein, the interlocking of containers serving as building blocks for the memorial structure;     means to secure the cover to the outer container of each individual burial unit;     a plurality of outer blocks of cement deployed upon the floor and circumferentially around all containers, outer blocks being deployed further in a stacking manner atop other outer blocks so as to enclose all containers therein while allowing for a hallway entrance to be formed, the outer blocks serving to seal the containers from both the ground and the outside atmosphere, the blocks being water and gas impermeable, the blocks having means for interlocking so as to comprise a barrier to access to the containers therein;     means for sealing the cover to the outer container of each individual burial unit; and     a capstone block which is sealed to the top of the burial structure to seal off the structure.        

      In an alternate embodiment, the present invention comprises a burial structure for the interment of human remains and any associated memorabilia therewith while forming a lasting memorial structure thereby to those therein interred, the burial structure comprising a plurality of individual burial units to hold the human remains, each individual burial unit comprising an outer container having a plurality of side walls and a bottom formed parallel to the plurality of side walls, the side walls and bottom cooperating to define a chamber formed therein, the plurality of side walls and bottom defining an upper opening and a lower opening; an inner container fitted into the chamber of the outer container, the inner container having a separating member upon which a lower chamber is formed thereto, the inner container further having an upper chamber formed to the separating member, the separating member interacting with the plurality of walls of the outer container so that the inner container seats within the outer container; and further comprising a cover fitted atop the side walls, the cover acting to seal the chamber formed therein the outer container, wherein each individual burial unit is either mounted upon the floor or upon another individual burial unit.  
      The burial structure of this alternate embodiment may further comprise a plurality of outer blocks, the blocks being deployed upon the floor circumferentially about the deployment of the individual burial units or being deployed upon each other such that the outer blocks collectively surround the individual burial units and no individual burial unit is accessible, the blocks having means for interlocking with each other, the blocks providing the outer shell and protection for the burial structure, wherein at least one of the plurality of outer blocks comprises a burial chamber for the interment of a whole, uncremated body. The at least one of the plurality of outer block may also have a burial chamber capable of intering more than one body.  
      In a third embodiment, the present invention may comprise a burial structure for the interment of human remains and any associated memorabilia therewith while forming a lasting memorial structure thereby to those therein interred, the burial structure comprising a plurality of individual burial units to hold the human remains, each individual burial unit comprising an outer container having a plurality of side walls and a bottom formed parallel to the plurality of side walls, the side walls and bottom cooperating to define at least one chamber formed therein, the plurality of side walls and bottom defining within each of the at least one chamber an upper opening and a lower opening; an inner container fitted into each of the at least one chamber of the outer container, the inner container having a separating member upon which a lower chamber is formed thereto, the inner container further having an upper chamber formed to the separating member, the separating member interacting with the plurality of walls particularly forming each of the at least one chamber of the outer container so that the inner container seats within the outer container; a cover fitted atop the side walls, the cover acting to seal the at least one chamber formed therein the outer container, wherein each individual burial unit is either mounted upon the floor or upon another individual burial unit.  
      This third embodiment may have the plurality of chambers formed in the outer container be deployed in a two-dimensional matrix. In said two-dimensional matrix, the first dimension will be at least one. The first dimension may also be greater than one. In said two-dimensional matrix, the second dimension will be at least one. The second dimension may also be greater than one. In a preferred mode of the third embodiment, the first dimension and the second dimension are both greater than one.  
      In this third embodiment, the present invention may further comprise a plurality of outer blocks, the blocks being deployed upon the floor circumferentially about the deployment of the individual burial units or being deployed upon each other such that the outer blocks collectively surround the individual burial units and no individual burial unit is accessible, the blocks having means for interlocking with each other, the blocks providing the outer shell and protection for the burial structure, wherein at least one of the plurality of outer blocks comprises a burial chamber for the interment of at least one whole, uncremated body. It is conceived that the at least one of the pluraity of outer blocks will hold a plurality of bodies, that is, at least two bodies.  
      The present invention will be more clearly understood by the following detailed description, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the burial structure of the present invention in an environmental setting;  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the components of an individual burial unit of the burial structure of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the cover of the individual burial unit of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the cover of the individual burial unit of the burial structure of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the outer container of the individual burial unit of the burial structure of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a top of one container interacting with the bottom of a second container of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the burial structure of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the outer container of a second embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a top view of a cover for the outer container of the second embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the burial structure of the present invention. 
    
    
     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7  of the present invention, there is found therein the present invention, to wit, a burial structure  10  for holding therein the remains of multiple human beings. The burial structure  10  comprises a plurality of individual burial units, an exemplar unit being shown at  12 , a plurality of outer blocks, an exemplar block being indicated at  14  and a base flooring  16 .  
      The burial structure  10  is formed in the shape of an obelisk, here especially a pyramid. The shape of the structure is alterable to many desired forms; what is critical is that the disposition of the remains is within the burial structure and in a container that allows for the creation of an overall structure other than a box or another simply utilitarian structure to be achieved. This is fostered primarily by the non-retrievability of the remains therein, as will be discussed herein further below.  
      An entryway  20  is shown into the burial structure  10 . The entryway  20  allows access of visitors to a hallway  21 . The hallway  21  may be formed with whatever covering is considered desirable, as is commonly known in mausoleum construction. It is to be understood that no particular location for any particular person will be accessible in the hallway  21 , as is commonly found with other mausoleums. There may be displayed within the hallway, however, a “wall of honor”, similar to that found in the U.S. Memorial to the Veterans of the Vietnam War.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , we see the individual unit for the interment of an individual remains. The unit  12  shown is sized for cremen remains. However, the formation of a whole body unit only differs in the length and width of the unit; the vertical dimensions remain substantially similar to the exemplar unit  12 .  FIG. 7  depicts various sized units  12 , and also for half-sized units, where only one vertical component is elected, as will be discussed herein below. It is noted that no state laws allow the burial of cremens and whole bodies in the same structure, this is noted to indicate the versatility of the structure of the present invention.  
      The unit  12  comprises an outer container  30 , an inner container  32 , a cover  34  and means  36  for securing the cover  34  upon the outer container  30 . The outer container  30  is generally cubic in design, having an opening  38  formed therein. The opening  38  of the outer container  30  is substantially similar to the formation of the inner container  32 , which can then be fully accepted into the opening  38 . By this construction, the inner container  32  is fully concealed within the outer container. Once sealed, it is not accessible and is non-retrievable.  
      The outer container  30  is made of a high impact polymer, such that can withstand potentially thousands of pounds of weight thereupon. A particularly preferred high-impact polymer for the composition of the outer container  30  is produced by GE Plastics in the United States under the trademark name XENOY®. The use of XENOY® and other suitable polymers for such purpose is known, and other such compounds are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,798 issued to Berghuis et alia, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
      The inner container  32  is formed into two portions: an upper chamber  50  and a lower chamber  52 . Ideally, the lower chamber  52  is intended to hold the remains of the person interred. The upper chamber  50  is ideally intended to hold any personal possession or memorabilia desired to be interred with the remains. However, it is also conceived as part of the present invention that the upper chamber  50  as well as the lower chamber  52  may hold the remains of one person. Thus, instead of an inner container  32  holding the remains of one person and that same one person&#39;s personal memorabilia, the inner container  32  may hold the remains of one person in the upper chamber  50  and a second person in the lower chamber  52 . This could work especially for a couple desiring internment together. All of the parts of the inner container  32  is formed of the same high-impact polymer as the outer container  30 .  
      A separating member  54  may be placed between the upper chamber  50  and the lower chamber  52 . This separating member  54  will also be comprised of the same high-impact polymer. The separating member  54  ideally serves as a base for the upper chamber  50  and the lower chamber  52 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the separating member  54  acts to seat the inner chamber  32  within the outer chamber  30 . The upper chamber  32  is shown to be approximately coterminal with the separating member  54 . It is envisioned within the scope of this invention that the upper chamber  50  could be shorter in length with respect to the separating member  54 , similar in size to lower chamber  52 . Thus, by making the upper chamber  50  and the lower chamber  52  substantially equal in size, the inner container  32  is invertible with respect to placement within the outer container  30 .  
      In a secondary embodiment, no separating member  54  would be used. Rather, the inner container  32  would comprise one large chamber into which multiple remains could be interred, such as of a family or friends desiring common burial. Another alternate embodiment would be to have all pieces of the inner container  32  be free-standing members.  
      The cover  34  is formed of the same high-impact polymer as are the outer container  30  and inner container  32 . The cover  34  has a recessed lid  58  which mates precisely with the seated opening  37  formed in the outer container  30 . This effects a tight closure of the remains and other interred objects. Once positioned, means  39  for sealing the cover  34  to the outer container  30  may be applied. In the preferred embodiment, the means  39  for sealing comprises an epoxy or, less preferably, a silicon sealer. Once effected, the means  36  for sealing are deployed, comprising in the preferred embodiment of a plurality of stainless steel screws  59 , which effect the permanent joining of the cover  34  to the outer container  30 . The cover  34  will then solidify together with the outer container  30 . The combined effects of the means  36  and the means  39  will ensure an air-tight and permanent attachment of the cover  34  to the container  30 .  
      The cover  34  has on its top, as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , a criss-cross pattern comprises multiple grooves or slots  64 . The slots  64  correspond to ridges  62  of an identical pattern formed in the bottom of the outer container  30 , as seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . By this intermeshing, a non-shifting stacking of units  12  upon each other. An alternate pattern or means of interlocking stacking can be elected in the alternative. The intersection of the ridges  62  of an outer container  30  and the grooves  64  of a cover  30  comprises a means  19  for interlocking the individual units  12 .  
      It is to be noted that the cross-hatched pattern allows for laying containers at once, at one vertical level, concurrently atop multiple containers directly there below.  
      Referring now particularly to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a cross-section of the burial structure  10 . The outer blocks  14  are formed of a high strength building material. While materials such as brick, concrete or granite can be used, a high impact polymer is considered ideal. The blocks below ground, indicated at  80  and  81 , are only interlocked with the individual burial units  12 . Accordingly grooves or slots similar to those found in the covers  34  are found on the upper surfaces thereof. Likewise, bottom surfaces have ridges similar to the outer container  30  formed therein. At ground level and above, the blocks  14  may have a flange  82  which is fitted into a slot  84  formed in the block there below. This plurality of interlocking structures gives stability to these members and the structure  10 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , there is shown an additional embodiment of the present invention comprising an outer container  130  having a plurality of openings formed therein.  FIG. 8  shows a top view of the outer container  130  having formed therein a plurality of openings  138 ,  238 ,  338 ,  438 ,  538 ,  638 ,  738 ,  838 . The openings  138 ,  238 ,  338 ,  438 ,  538 ,  638 ,  738 ,  838  are similar to the opening  38  of the previous embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  shows a cover  134  which fits over the outer container  130 .  
      The second embodiment as depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9  shows the concept of having multiple inner containers stored within one outer container  130 . The openings  138  et seq. are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix in the figures. The matrix of the present invention is envisioned as a plurality in both axis of the matrix. Thus, along the width of the outer container  130  there would be at least two openings, and along the length of the outer container  130  there would be at least two openings. As depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , there are two openings along the width and four openings along the length. Although this is the ideal depiction, the number of openings along either the length or the width of the outer container is not limited to this number.  
      Additionally, it is also conceived as a part of this invention that one axis of the matrix of openings may be a plurality while the other axis is restricted to one opening. Thus, a minimum size for such an outer container  130  would be a length of two openings with a width of one opening, for a total of two openings in such a configured outer container  130 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown the present invention in a third embodiment. This third embodiment  210  comprises burial units  12  as in the first embodiment, and additional burial units  112  as in the second embodiment. The third embodiment further comprises burial units  212  which may contain at least one whole body therein. Ideally, such burial units would contains two trays for the interment of two whole bodies. As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , these whole body units are deployed around the perimeter of the structure  210 , and would be covered with a block as set forth in the first embodiment. These units  212  would be retrievable.  
      As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , the height of the whole body units  212  are approximately equal to two burial units, indicated as  812  and  912 , which are conceived as being equivalent to burial unit  12 . The width of the whole body burial containers  212  is seen to be equal to either a plurality of single burial units  12 , or to one burial units  112  with multiple inner containers deployed therein. By this intermixing of the various sized burial units  12 ,  112 ,  212 , the present invention of the third embodiment achieves a balancing of forces placed upon the individual units comprising the overall structure. Thus, no one point of intersection is unduly stressed, giving a greater structural integrity, similar to the overlapping of bricks in the formation of a wall in a house or similar structure.  
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
      In use, the individual units  12  are the basic unit, into which remains and memorabilia are placed. As is depicted in  FIGS. 1-7 , the individual units  12  are disposed in varying sizes and orientations. It is to be noted that a half-sized container, an exemplar container being indicated at  90 , is essentially an outer container  34  without the upper chamber  50 ; thus only a lower chamber  52 . This is useful for cremens of small children, cremens that are otherwise smaller, and for significant memorabilia. Such half-sized containers are placed atop other half-size units, which together comprise one (1) full-size unit. These can then be placed parallel to each other, or at right angles. The choice of how many of each type of unit to utilize will depend upon the types of remains to be resident in the structure, and can be flexed to accommodate individual cases and circumstances.  
      The flooring  16  is ideally a sheet of high-impact polymer, having formed thereon ridges similar to the ridges  62  formed on the covers  34 . Alternately, on this base level only, no intermeshing can occur, the weight of the entire structure  10  acting to anchor the structure  10 . A layer below the flooring, shown at  96 , could be included. The layer  96  is ideally formed of a high impact polymer, similar to the containers  30 . Alternately, the floor  16  can be made of concrete, brick or tile.  
      It is conceived in the successive embodiments of the invention, to be discussed herein below, that the floor  16  could be eliminated by using a layer of individual burial units as the base level. This base level would be deployed upon graded, level ground. While the flooring  16  would be the ideal and preferred embodiment of the present invention, this alternate embodiment is considered to be within the scope of the present invention.  
      It is to be understood that the choice of an obelisk for the shape of the structure  10  is something that is changeable to cultural and/or religious desires or architectural and/or structural requirements. For example, in Moslem countries a shape such as the sacred cube in Mecca could be imitated in other locations. In a Christian setting, a statue of Jesus or other person, or even a symbol, like the cross, could be formed. Where alternative religions and beliefs are present, any suitable shape could be chosen. Theme structures, such as in the shape of a university logo or seal, could also be elected.  
      In the obelisk of  FIG. 7 , there is also seen facade pieces  99  deployed thereon. These facade pieces could give a certain color and texture desired in a structure, but are not necessary to the practicing of the present invention.