A metal casket for an above ground entombment includes a barrier material on the inner face of the casket bottom, sides and ends for preventing body decomposition liquids and vapors for contacting the inner surface of the casket bottom, sides and ends. A crystalline coating material is adhered to the barrier material and acts as a desiccant and encapsulator of the body decomposition liquids and vapors to convert the liquids and vapors into gel so that the liquids and vapors cannot migrate by gravity to the exterior of the casket.