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What to Consider When Choosing a Mausoleum As a Burial Option

There are many elements to consider when planning a funeral, whether in the pre-planning stages or in the event of the death of a loved one. One of these elements is the determination of where your loved one’s remains will be interred. While many people choose traditional burial or even cremation, you should not rule out a mausoleum as an option for the storage of your loved one’s remains.

While all of the choices may feel overwhelming, at San Tan Mountain Funeral Home, we understand that discussions about death and funeral services can be highly emotional. Allow the qualified staff of our family-owned and operated business to help you skillfully determine if a mausoleum is an appropriate choice for the entombment of your loved one’s remains. You may have many questions about this option. We will try to answer some of these questions below.

What is the Definition of a Mausoleum?

A mausoleum is a unique type of above-ground entombment. This type of burial has been used throughout the world for thousands of years. Throughout history, mausolea were constructed as large structures to celebrate and honor the death of a person with great power or wealth.

The term actually can be traced back to the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus in Turkey. This famous mausoleum holds the body of King Mausolus, who was buried by his wife in a building that resembled a temple around 353 BC. The body of King Mausolus was laid to rest on a stone platform surrounded by stone columns and is considered to be the first mausolea ever built and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Taj Mahal in India and Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome are additional examples of famous mausoleums.

In the modern world, however, mausoleums are chosen by many as a way to preserve the legacy and honor the memory of their loved ones. Mausoleums are popular in today’s world by people from many different religious backgrounds and ethnicities. Members of the Islamic faith commonly build elaborate monuments to honor their deceased loved ones and members of the Jewish faith follow the ancient tradition of above-ground burial in mausoleums. While this method of burial is less popular in those of the Christian faith, it has become more widely selected in recent years.

Burial decisions are often a matter of family tradition and preference, however, mausoleums can be a practical choice in some cities where population density makes above-ground entombment a more natural choice because of space concerns and/or the cost of property in an area.

How Do They Work?

A mausoleum houses what are known as crypts. A crypt is technically a small room within the mausoleum where a casket or cremation urn is stored. These crypts are not rooms in the traditional sense as they are only large enough to store a casket or urn that holds the remains of your loved one. Each crypt is sealed from both the inside and the outside to protect the remains from the elements and provide a clean and dry method of burial. Depending on the type of mausoleum chosen, the crypt is either permanently sealed or sealed so that it can be reopened in the future.

What Mausoleum Options are Available at San Tan Mountain Funeral Home?

There are different types of mausoleums available at San Tan Mountain Funeral Home. Each of these types of mausoleums has benefits and there are options available at various price points. Our professional staff is ready to help you determine which of the following options is best for your loved one.

Public Mausoleums

Public mausoleums contain the tombs of multiple individuals inside of one structure. A public mausoleum is probably most akin to a public cemetery. A public mausoleum allows anyone to be entombed within its walls. These mausoleums are designed to accommodate visitors, allowing family members and friends to visit their loved ones at any time. Many public mausoleums also offer columbarium niches for the storage of cremated remains.

Mountain View’s Desert Star Chapel Mausoleum is a completely indoor mausoleum with both crypts (the vault within the mausoleum that holds the remains) and niches. It is a beautiful large structure that affords areas for committal and graveside services. We have both niches and crypts available in our public mausoleums at San Tan Mountain Funeral Home within The New Wall of Peace I, II and III, beautiful structures that have a covered and gated meditation area.

Private Mausoleums

Unlike a public facility, a private mausoleum houses only one family. Private mausoleums are lasting structures used for the entombment of family or group members. Private mausoleums can accommodate a variety of individual preferences, including traditional burial and cremation. Private mausoleums are beautifully designed to reflect a family’s unique heritage and create a permanent tribute to lives well-lived. These can be found either on private property (like the mausoleum that houses the remains of the late Princess Diana of Wales) or on land purchased within a cemetery.

Garden Mausoleum

A garden mausoleum is a mausoleum that is located outdoors rather than indoors. This type of mausoleum often contains niches for cremated remains in addition to traditional burial sites. This type of mausoleum is a good choice for the nature lover, as these spaces are often beautifully landscaped. The unique landscaping features and the beautiful outdoor environment of a garden mausoleum make this a desirable choice for many people. At San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home, there are four mausoleums named, Hope, Prayer, Faith and Charity that adjoin gardens of the same name. Mountain View also has seven other outside mausoleums. A few of these mausoleums still have some open crypts and niches available.

Companion Crypts

Companion crypts are another popular choice for private and peaceful above-ground entombment. These crypts come in a variety of designs and materials, and arrangement can be either vertical or side by side. Single- to six-crypt preassembled private mausoleums are available for placement on your own cemetery site.

How Much Does a Mausoleum Cost?

When it comes time for the burial or entombment of a loved one, there are a variety of associated costs. Understanding the various costs associated with planning can be overwhelming. However, there are mausoleums at multiple price ranges that allow families the choice of many affordable options. Mausoleum entombment also eliminates many burial expenses and decisions and does not require an outer burial container to be purchased. Public Mausoleum options are likely the most affordable choice of all the alternatives.

Whether you are considering burial in a family mausoleum or a community mausoleum for your loved ones, our caring and helpful staff at San Tan Mountain View Funeral Home and Advanced Planning Center can assist you with any questions that you may have. We understand that choosing a final resting place for your family is an important decision. We are here to help you make the right choice for you and your loved ones. Call us today at (480) 832-2850, or toll-free at 1 (866) 684-1951. We welcome the opportunity to help you create a legacy for your family.

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