An ampoule sealing apparatus has a pivotable arm for moving an unsealed ampoule from a first position to a second position, a horseshoe-shaped burner defining an interior area in which the ampoule neck is received at the second position. A vibrator attached to the mechanical arm in order to help induce the evacuation of air from the ampoule. A vacuum source, optionally associated with a purge gas source, is associated with the mechanical arm in order to evacuate air from the ampoule and a thermocouple controller monitors the lighting of the burner and shuts off the flow of fuel thereto if the burner is not lit or if the flame is extinguished within a predetermined period of time.