No interment may be made in any burial ground unless the top of the casket is at least how many inches from the natural surface of the ground?

The requirement that the top of the casket must be at least 18 inches from the natural surface of the ground is rooted in safety, health, and preservation concerns. By maintaining a minimum depth, it helps to ensure that the grave does not easily disturb the surrounding soil and prevents issues such as flooding or surface erosion that could expose the casket. This distance also serves to facilitate proper decomposition processes while minimizing the impact of environmental conditions, ensuring respect for the deceased and the integrity of the burial site.

The other options may suggest greater distances, which would be unnecessary and could lead to complications in gravesite management and maintenance. An 18-inch depth strikes a balance between respect for the deceased and practicality in burial practices.