What is a Mausoleum? Purpose, Cost, How to Choose

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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Types of mausoleums

There are several different types of mausoleums. Here are the main options:

Single crypt
mausoleumshold 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.

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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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