When a new grave is prepared, the soil that is replaced into the grave after a person has been interred is more aerated than the surrounding soil. Grave subsidence, or grave sinking, is a natural process that occurs when this freshly-excavated soil begins to slowly settle, causing the surface to sink over time.
It is not possible to safely compact the soil immediately after a burial has taken place, so grave sinking is unfortunately an unavoidable process. Certain weather conditions can also play a role.
Our burial team conducts routine maintenance that includes backfilling of graves to counteract the effects of grave sinking. If you ever have any concerns about the appearance of a grave, please contact us.