Entombment in a mausoleum refers to a building which was built to house the remains of one or more deceased person(s), after they have passed away.
This method of body disposition has been in use since approximately 350 BC, where pyramids were used to house the remains of Egyptian kings.
The most famous mausoleums in history are: India’s architecturally stunning Taj Mahal, the ancient Catacombs outside Rome, Italy, and of course the Great Pyramids of Egypt.
Entombment in a mausoleum is considered an alternative form of traditional underground burial, where the body is stored in a mausoleum instead of underground.
Bodies are stored above ground in a defined space in the mausoleum, called a crypt.
This article will provide you with the key information that you need to know about entombment in a mausoleum.
It will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this burial option, the costs of entombment in the mausoleum, rules and regulations of mausoleums.
Advantages of Mausoleums
One of the key advantages of mausoleums is that they are considered to be a cleaner and dryer option than a traditional underground burial.
This option will appeal to people who do not want to be cremated, or are apprehensive about being buried underground.
Another advantage is that mausoleums actually reduce the amount of land that is used for a burial and is therefore more ecologically friendly than an underground burial. A mausoleum may attract people who are greener at heart.
Mausoleums are buildings; therefore they allow people to visit in comfort year-round as the crypts are protected from inclement weather, unlike traditional graves in a cemetery.
Some mausoleums also provide appropriate background music and convenient benches so that visitors can sit in comfort and reflect in a peaceful environment.
Although many people don’t know this, mausoleums are actually quite common and many cemeteries provide single, companion or family configurations.
This provides the opportunity to purchase a family mausoleum where all members of the family can be entombed together when the time comes. This also makes the option of entombment slightly more cost effective.
Furthermore, burials can be extremely difficult during the winter months and in many rural areas where the appropriate equipment is not readily accessible, burial could be postponed until the ground has softens. This is not an issue if you choose to be interred in an above-ground mausoleum.
Disadvantages of Mausoleums
Although there are many advantages to entombment in a mausoleum, if you are considering this option, there are some important considerations that you should know.
The first disadvantage of this burial option is that caskets have been known to explode in a mausoleum as a result of gas build-up from the natural decomposition process.
An explosion can cause considerable damage to not only the remains of the person, but all the other crypts that are also buried in that mausoleum.
However, manufacturers have since changed the design of casket sealers to include “burpers” which release – or burp out – accumulated gases, considerably reducing this risk.
In addition, some mausoleums may not be as water and weatherproof and over time considerable damage can be done to the caskets that could also compromise the structure.
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Costs of Mausoleums
The cost of entombment in a crypt is very similar to the cost of a traditional burial; many of the same expenses are still applicable.
You need to purchase the crypt itself, a casket, pay the costs for opening and closing the crypt (usually a few hundred dollars), the cost of purchasing an outer burial container, as well as charges for endowment care and other services.
Therefore, entombment in a mausoleum is another rather costly burial option, with $4,000 being on the lower end of the cost spectrum.
By purchasing a family configuration, you can split the costs amongst numerous family members, which will considerably lower the overall cost of entombment in a mausoleum.
Rules and Regulations
Similar to gravesites in cemeteries, mausoleums have different rules and regulations pertaining to the maintenance, the amount and types of floral tributes or arrangements, where the tributes can be placed, the markers that can be placed outside the crypt, and visiting hours.
Many of these specific rules and regulations are not disclosed to you when you are purchasing a crypt.
Take time to review the fine print, where the information is readily available. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Ask the cemetery director what the specific rules and regulations are. You can also do a Google search of the cemetery to find a complete list of their various policies.
Therefore, before choosing a mausoleum, you should read over the specific rules and regulations of that mausoleum to ensure that they are acceptable to you.
If there are certain rules or regulations that you do not agree with, it is better to be aware of any limitations before you commit to that mausoleum as your final resting place.
What are your thoughts on mausoleums? Comment below, we’d love to hear from you.
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