[Billthegravedigger]

You were taking about pumping the water out, and I have to say, you are well equipped to do this job. Not many people can stand to be close as it is pumped out, let alone have to work in it.

We have water problems as all holes retain water, even if they are filled back in with dirt. Ours go a little differently than yours I think. You know when it rains it can fill them up fairly quickly, and it is no big deal to pump out.

The other type we have is when the grave next to the one we are digging decides to "empty it's bladder". A person dead for a while that is not buried in an outer container as well as a casket, or just a casket and wooden box have caused some events I will never forget.


We were digging a grave a while back when the grave next to us started letting water seep into our grave. It was not that bad, and unless you knew what to look for, it would not be anything to be concerned about. It was clear water and some fatty residues turning into grave wax. It smelled worse than it looked.

[Psycho Muffin]

Excellent first post!

It's interesting to see how a body decomposes under certain conditions.

[Billthegravedigger]

One grave filled almost all the way to the top after a heavy rain, but a generator and waterpump made quick work of it. It emptied out in around 15 minutes. Pour dry dirt and gravels in and it keeps the vaultpan from sinking, then after the dome is placed it doesn't matter because they have spring loaded locks, and have to be manipulated by hand to unload and seperate them.

[Billthegravedigger]

I saved the "best" for last.

Every so often, the grave next to us ruptures all at once and is cause for concern. For some reason, when people set a double headstone and one person has already died, they almost always get the stone too far to the wrong side.

We tell the family members this when they show us where to dig the grave, but some don't listen and want the grave in a very certain spot, despite our friendly warning.

When that happens, at times the side will colapse. Other times it doesn't. We try to leave at least 12 inches between graves, but we honor the family's request if they want it closer. When the perfect storm of circumstances arise, then we have trouble. If John Doe was buried in a spot 5 years ago with out a vault and just a cheap casket, it is not so bad.

When they come to set the gravestone, they usually get it in the wrong spot. Then when Jane Doe dies and we go to dig the grave, we tell them it's too close, but some don't care or listen.

Add it all up and it gets nasty. Not buried in a good casket and no vault, been dead a while, and we have to dig too close to it, and you have the perfect recipe for people to vomit their assholes insideout !!!

The side will be weak anyway, but the ground water makes it worse. All of a sudden the whole side collapses, and you have groundwater and liqufied human stew to contend with as well.
When they see all of the black water come rushing in the new grave, they sometimes still can not realize what they are seeing.
The smell that comes out with the black water leaves NO room for doubt !!!

[Billthegravedigger]

The tarnished casket was buried 55 years in the blue vault.

The silver one was in the vault for 12 years.

[September Tea]

Absolutely fascinating, amazing photos. Nature's recycling system is so efficient, there really is some "life after death". It might be a shame that these bodies only feed bacteria and not daisies and grass and such, but we did get to see in detail what happened to them!
I hope you find one of those legendary incorruptible corpses to photograph, although the adipocere men and the headless one holding the book (Bible?) were close!

[Abor]

This is why you should get cremated or NOT buy a fancy coffin. The embalming fluid has slowed down decomposition in addition to the anaerobic (without oxygen) environment inside the sealed coffins.

Just get some plywood from home depot or at least something that can let the worms get at you.

[mojangles]

..how wild, the theme to Phantasm just popped up on my Ipod while i was viewing this..

[Shylock]

Nice

[Spiffyfable]

Only if the money was right!