1.
GV Concrete cemetery(6 shots)
0.29

2.
SV Lid lowered onto grave by crane
0.34

3.
GV PAN FROM concrete area to grassland cemetery
0.43

4.
SV Concrete plots covered with sod (2 shots)
0.51

5.
SV Concrete graves
0.56

6.
SV Bulldozer over covered graves to place lid on another grave
1.09

7.
CO Lid put into place
1.15



Initials OS/1607 OS/1614



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The newest thing in cemeteries is concrete. At San Francisco's Holy Cross Cemetery, a two-and-a-half acre section was excavated to a depth of six feet. then honeycombed with concrete walls. The result is five-thousand concrete crypts and each will eventually be used two burials. "Companion crypts" is the correct name for the innovation.

After a concrete lid is placed over each crypt, the area is covered with two feet (0.6 m.) of sod to give the appearance of a conventional cemetery. With cemetery plots at a premium, companion crypts save space and hopefully they will save money too.

SYNOPSIS: What appears to be a high-rise office building on its side, is actually the newest design for modern-day cemeteries. At San Fracisco's Holy Cross Cemetery, a large area was excavated to a dept of six feet, and then honeycombed with concrete walls. In this area, five thousand crypts will each be used for two burials.

Each crypt is covered with a concrete lid. When the concrete section is complete, about two feet of sod is then rolled on top of the cement field, thus creating the illusion of a conventional cemetery. This two-and-a-half acre site provides room for ten-thousand burials.

There are several advantages to this new architecture. Many graves can be completed at the same time. The ground will always remain level, sitting on top of the concrete, so maintenance costs will be diminished. Cemetery space is at a premium, and these new "companion crypts" save space. It is hoped that this will result in eventual saving to the public.