For some people, a simple grave marker or headstone is enough. On the other hand, other people want to make their final resting place a fancy and big mausoleum—an above-ground, free-standing building that houses their remains. Mausoleums are elaborately built and decorated to enshrine the legacy left by the beloved deceased. Here is what to know about mausoleums. 

1. Mausoleum Burial Options

The three common types of mausoleum burial options include: 

• Private Family Mausoleums: They’re the most elaborate and expensive mausoleums. This mausoleum can be custom designed and constructed from quality materials with elaborate details to honor and commemorate the beloved deceased. 
• Custom Private Mausoleums: They’re mainly built on private land or plots purchased from public cemeteries. Special arrangements must be made to upkeep the structure and ground for perpetuity if built on private property. 
• Public Mausoleums: Sometimes called community mausoleums, these types offer a cost-sharing benefit over family or private mausoleums. Public mausoleums offer several families thoughtful and useful amenities, like brass plaques that denote loved ones’ faiths, private areas for families to gather, vases for flowers, beautiful glass walks to the outdoors, and uplifting architectural touches like skylights. 

2. Mausoleum Burial Designs 

Mausoleums can be mainly customized into the following designs: 

• Interior & Exterior Elements: You can incorporate anything on the exterior and interior of your mausoleum, including statues, steps, vases, benches, prayer kneelers, and stained glass windows. 
• Etching & Engravings: Etchings and engravings allow you to add true personalization to the style and design of the deceased’s mausoleum.
• Granite Colors: Granite is suitable for any cemetery monument, like a mausoleum, because it’s long-lasting and doesn’t deteriorate easily or quickly.  
• Columns & Moldings: The column and molding types are based on aesthetic style and personal preference. You can choose from the dart, crown, or dentil molding. 
• Doors & Roof: When it comes to doors and roofs, you have a few options, like a peaked or flat roof and the opportunity to incorporate bronze plates. 

3. Bodies Decompose in Mausoleums  

Once a body is housed in a crypt, it slowly becomes dehydrated and dries out. That’s why, unlike in-ground burials, bodies decompose slower in mausoleums. 

4. Religions and Ancient Civilizations Built Mausoleums 

Many religions and ancient civilizations built mausoleums to commemorate and honor the dead. For instance, kings were only buried in mausoleums in ancient Egypt. Islam and Judaism also constructed beautiful monuments to honor their deceased. Mausoleums became less popular after the downfall of the Roman Empire, but more individuals are choosing them nowadays. Mausoleums are also popular among those who are non-denominational. 

5. You Can’t View a Body in a Mausoleum  

Some mausoleums are built so that one can walk inside. But you can’t see the bodies. You can see the area of entombment, but mausoleums are designed to protect the housed caskets or urns. 

6. Mausoleums Don’t Smell Bad

Human remains are considered hazardous and must be entombed safely and cleanly. That’s why mausoleums have proper ventilation techniques that builders follow to ensure that air and gases are appropriately released. If there is an odor in a mausoleum, it’s a sign that something is wrong. You must notify the cemetery’s authorities immediately. 

7. Anyone Can Visit a Mausoleum 

You can visit a public mausoleum any time during open hours. And for private mausoleums, you’ll need to contact the cemetery management or funeral home to arrange a visit. An entire mausoleum can even belong to a family. In this case, you’ll need to seek permission before visiting. These family mausoleums are typically under key and lock. 

8. Mausoleums Can House About 20 People

A family mausoleum can serve as a large-scale structure with more than 20 people. You have to customize and design it to the last detail. This makes planning for future memorial services easier and more cost-effective. It’ll allow you to honor more than one family member at a time. 

9. The Cost to Build a Mausoleum Varies 

The cost of mausoleums is determined by their size, materials, location, and level of architectural details. Generally, you can expect to pay the following: 

• About $60,000 for simple one or two crypt above-ground units. 
• About $600,000 for an average walk-in mausoleum for seven people. 
• About $1 million for larger, more elaborate embellishments and structures. 

Please note that you must also own or purchase the land where you intend to construct the mausoleum. 

Mausoleums Are Unique Burial Spaces 

Hopefully, you now have the answer to the question, "What is a mausoleum?" They are a perfect way of showing honor, respect, love, or familial devotion and appreciation to the beloved deceased. Please pay a visit to Steedley Monument works to look at our indoor and outdoor displays highlighting various markers, memorials, and headstones. We can also design and build the best mausoleum’s size and style that can be visited by your progeny forever. Contact us today for more information on mausoleums.