PUBLISHED

N.C.G.S. § 65-77

Minimum burial depth.

Effective date: 2026-08-08
Last verified: 2026-08-09
Source: official source
Revision history: view all versions

When final disposition of a human body entails interment, the top of the uppermost part of the burial vault or other encasement shall be a minimum of 18 inches below the ground surface. This section does not apply to: (1) Burials where no part of the burial vault or other encasement containing the body is touching the ground. (2) Burials where the land is located in a family owned cemetery that was established by deed recorded prior to January 1, 1989, and the individual to be buried is to be buried in a surface burial vault in a manner similar to that of the individual's deceased spouse who was buried prior to January 1, 1981. (1995, c. 123, s. 16; 1999-425, s. 4; 2003-420, s. 8(b).)