What is a Mausoleum? Purpose, Cost, How to Choose
Mausoleums are an above-ground alternative to burial that can house caskets for an entire family together.
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A mausoleum is a freestanding, above-ground building in a cemetery that can house multiple caskets . Mausoleums are typically used in places at risk of flooding, or as a way to keep a family’s final resting places together without purchasing neighboring burial plots.
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You can house a casket in a public mausoleum with others, or you can purchase a private mausoleum for just your family. Though they have a reputation for being large, imposing structures, mausoleums offer a variety of options depending on your aesthetic, family and budget. Mausoleums are not the same as columbariums, which house cremation urns instead of coffins in spaces called “niches" .
If you’re planning a funeral for yourself or for a loved one, here’s what to know about mausoleums, what they cost and how to choose the best option for your family.
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Pros and cons of mausoleums
Advantages | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
Likely to last longer than a gravesite, especially in areas prone to flooding and other natural factors. Mausoleums are common in places such as New Orleans because of this. | Takes time to prepare, so they require advance planning — and they’re not available in every cemetery. Mausoleums often come with special regulations and may not be ready in time for a funeral. |
May be less expensive than purchasing neighboring burial plots, depending on how large your family is. A single building can ensure your family is entombed together and reduce the amount of cemetery land needed. | Can be expensive depending on size, location and design. Entombment in a public mausoleum may be similar to the average cost of a burial plot and grave marker (around $4,000 to $8,000), while a private family building can cost as much as $25,000 and up. |
Can align with your family’s preferences by giving you the opportunity to personalize with materials, engravings and details such as a family crest. Private ones can also be tailored for families to visit with benches, windows and even background music. | Will likely require maintenance over time to protect the building from water damage and other natural factors. |
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Types of mausoleums
There are several different types of mausoleums. Here are the main options:
Single crypt mausoleums hold one casket. A crypt is the vault inside a mausoleum that holds the casket.
Family mausoleums can be customized for any number of relatives.
Public or community mausoleums are typically larger and can hold many caskets. Families can purchase a private section of the entire space, called a niche. Community mausoleums may be specific to a religion and can be indoor or outdoor in a garden.
Side-by-side crypts are meant for two people to be entombed next to each other.
Companion or end-to-end crypts house one casket behind another, taking up less space.
Lawn crypts are essentially underground mausoleums. They can house multiple caskets, but they won’t have an entryway or physical space like a mausoleum.
Mausoleum costs vs. gravesite costs
Costs for mausoleums and gravesites can vary widely depending on your location, preferences and whether you’re entombing in a private or public cemetery.
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For single caskets:
A space in a community mausoleum can cost around $2,000 to $8,000.
A traditional cemetery burial plot can cost $1,000 to $10,000.
A columbarium niche can cost around $750 to $2,500 .
For families:
A private family mausoleum can cost $25,000 or more.
A family or estate plot can cost $20,000 and up .
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