What Is a Mausoleum? The Pros and Cons

Traditionally, people tend to choose a regular tomb, one that’s in the ground. But there are other options, and one of them is a mausoleum. Its role is to serve as a monument for a deceased person. The important thing to keep in mind about a mausoleum is that it can hold a single person, or multiple deceased persons depending on the size and the way it has been constructed/created.

What makes a mausoleum unique?

Despite the fact that size and shape might vary, there are similarities when it comes to design. A mausoleum has a crypt which holds the bodies of the deceased persons, and the interior of the mausoleum is integrated with various designs and unique architectural details. In addition, mausoleums have mosaics, and sometime even ornate furniture and paintings. These things will vary from one culture to the other, but there will always be distinctive elements to take into consideration.

Another important thing to note is that most mausoleums have a ventilation system. Its role is to remove the odor that comes from decaying bodies and to prevent gas accumulation inside, which makes everything come together properly.

Different types of mausoleums

Many people don’t know that there are several mausoleum types, and each one has its fair share of differences. Private mausoleums tend to be created just for a single coffin. However, there are company crypts as well as side-by-side crypts. A family mausoleum, for example, is designed from the ground up to fit a larger number of people, mainly the entire family.

There are also community mausoleums or even public mausoleums. These allow private sections for individual families, known as niches. Lawn crypts are also seen as mausoleums, but these are underground. So there are many options, all incredibly interesting.

How can you choose a mausoleum?

There are various mausoleum options, and each has its own pros and cons. It can be a lawn crypt, columbarium, companion crypt, family or single crypt. Each person has their own requirements.

You should also think about materials. A mausoleum in general is made out of granite, which is quite durable and also affordable. You can also go with marble; it’s more expensive, but the visuals truly make it stand out. It has a creamy finish which makes it much softer and it gives that high-tier look. Of course, you are free to choose any material you want, but these two tend to be very efficient, it all depends on the price—or any other factors you want to take into account.

You can personalize the mausoleum if you want. Being able to customize the mausoleum and making it your own makes it truly stand out. It brings in creativity and style, while also removing many of the limits. You can add a memorial plaque, or even memorial jewelry if you want. You can have your own checklist with items that might be suitable.

Mausoleum pros

One of the benefits of mausoleums is that you get to have a great memorial place for your entire family—or just for yourself if you want. There are a multitude of options and styles too, so you can easily pick the one that suits your needs. Plenty of people are uneasy about a burial or cremation, so a mausoleum is the next best thing.

Mausoleums are ecologically friendly compared to a burial, since they occupy less space. The fact that you can add all kinds of items inside to customize is great, and it further adds to the experience. You also have the option to keep climate control, and there are all kinds of extras and other options for you to take into consideration. It does take a bit of a trial and error, but in the end it can be very efficient.

In some cases, mausoleums are a necessity due to the fact that burials can’t be handled properly. If you pre plan it properly, a mausoleum might actually save you money. It might even cost you half of what you expect, and that on its own is certainly worth taking into consideration. In situations when burials are not possible, the mausoleum is always available.

Mausoleum cons

Of course, a mausoleum won’t always be the best option. Some of these units tend to have bad ventilation and the construction is not the best. Since these are not meant to be lived in, there are plenty of mausoleums that actually have very bad ventilation and construction quality. In some cases caskets have exploded from natural gas buildup, which means you need to be very careful when choosing a mausoleum, as it might not be the right option.

If you go with a private mausoleum for just one or two people, you will end up spending quite a lot of money. In some cases, it’s also common for bodily fluids to leak from the crypt. This can sometimes happen due to decomposition, and it is something you must take into consideration. As time passes by, natural elements can end up damaging the mausoleum. It might also affect the crypts, in some cases they might even end up compromised.

Conclusion

As you can see, a mausoleum is a great option but also one that comes with its fair share of challenges. You should understand the pros and cons before selecting such an option. We always recommend avoiding any rush and instead studying the situation to see if a mausoleum is a great idea or not. Of course it will take some time to decide, but in many cases it might actually be the only option—which is why it’s a good idea to go for a mausoleum, but you should assess the pros and cons before you make the final decision!