A mausoleum is an above-ground building where caskets are placed in sealed chambers called crypts, instead of being buried in the ground. Placing a casket in a crypt is called entombment. Most families who choose this option buy a crypt in a large community mausoleum shared with many others, while a smaller number build or buy a private family mausoleum.
Where the word comes from
The name comes from Mausolus, a ruler in the 4th century BC whose monumental tomb at Halicarnassus (in present-day Turkey) became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Over time, "mausoleum" came to mean any above-ground tomb. In the United States, many historic cemeteries have elaborate family mausoleums from the 19th and early 20th centuries, and community mausoleums became common in the 20th century. Browse historic cemeteries to see some of the older examples.
Community mausoleums and private mausoleums
Community mausoleums
A community mausoleum is a large building, often with chapels, halls and corridors, containing hundreds or thousands of crypts. Each family buys the rights to one or more crypts. The cemetery maintains the building, which is often climate-controlled, and families visit in a sheltered, quiet setting. This is the most common and most affordable form of entombment.
Garden mausoleums
A garden mausoleum is a type of community mausoleum with crypts that open to the outdoors, set into exterior walls, often facing a lawn or garden. Visiting is open-air, and the crypt fronts are typically granite or marble.
Private family mausoleums
A private mausoleum is built for one family, usually on a large lot the family buys in the cemetery. It may hold two crypts or a dozen. Some are custom-designed; many cemeteries also sell pre-built or pre-designed models. Private mausoleums are a significant investment and carry ongoing responsibilities for maintenance.
You can find cemeteries that offer entombment on our cemeteries with mausoleums page.
Crypt types
| Crypt type | Description |
|---|---|
| Single crypt | Holds one casket |
| Side-by-side (companion) crypt | Two adjoining crypts for a couple, placed next to each other |
| Tandem (end-to-end) crypt | A deeper crypt holding two caskets, one behind the other |
| Westminster or family crypt | A larger space designed for several caskets |
| Niche | A small compartment for an urn; many mausoleums include columbarium niches |
Crypt level matters too. Crypts are stacked in tiers, and the most sought-after are usually at eye or heart level, which are easiest for visitors to reach and read. Upper tiers are typically less expensive.
What entombment costs
Mausoleum prices vary widely by region, cemetery and crypt location. These ranges are approximate and are meant to help you understand a price list.
| Item | Approximate range |
|---|---|
| Single crypt, community mausoleum | $4,000 to $15,000+ |
| Companion or tandem crypt | $8,000 to $30,000+ |
| Indoor chapel-level or premium crypt | Higher end of these ranges or more |
| Private family mausoleum (lot and building) | $25,000 to $500,000+ |
| Entombment fee (opening and sealing the crypt) | $500 to $2,500 |
| Crypt front inscription or bronze lettering | $300 to $2,000+ |
Why prices vary
- Height of the crypt. Eye-level and heart-level crypts cost the most.
- Indoor or outdoor. Indoor chapel crypts are usually priced higher than garden crypts.
- Location within the building. Crypts near a chapel, window or entrance often carry a premium.
- Region. Urban cemeteries generally charge more.
- What is included. Ask whether perpetual care, the crypt front and lettering are part of the price.
Entombment avoids some burial costs, such as a grave vault and in-ground headstone, but the crypt itself usually costs more than a plot. Compare against How Much Does a Burial Cost? to see the full picture.
How entombment differs from burial
| Consideration | Entombment | In-ground burial |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Above ground in a building or wall | Below ground in a grave |
| Outer container | Not needed; the crypt is the container | Vault or liner often required by the cemetery |
| Memorial | Inscription on the crypt front | Headstone or flat marker |
| Visiting | Often indoors and sheltered | Outdoors |
| Typical cost | Usually higher than a standard plot | Varies widely |
| Religious acceptance | Accepted by most faiths; some traditions require earth burial | Accepted by all major traditions |
Some families prefer entombment because they dislike the idea of in-ground burial, because it offers a dry and sheltered setting, or because a mausoleum lets several generations rest together. Others prefer the simplicity and lower cost of a grave.
Faith considerations
Most Christian denominations accept entombment, and many Catholic cemeteries have their own community mausoleums with chapels. Traditional Jewish and Islamic practice call for burial in the earth, so mausoleums are uncommon in those traditions, although practices vary among communities. If faith guides your decision, ask your clergy or the cemetery's staff.
Owning a private family mausoleum
A private mausoleum lasts for generations, but it comes with responsibilities. Before building or buying one, ask:
- Is there a separate care or maintenance fund for private mausoleums? Many cemeteries require one, since general perpetual care may not cover the structure.
- Who is responsible for repairs to doors, roofs, stained glass or stonework?
- Who will control the mausoleum after you, and how will the right to use each crypt be decided? Record this clearly in your will.
- What are the cemetery's design rules and approval process?
Our guide What Is Perpetual Care? explains how care funds work.