Mausoleum Burial Guide: Types, Benefits & Cost

Mausoleum burial is a highly desirable form of internment among families who can afford the associated costs. Mausoleum burial offers a dignified alternative to ground burial, and offers many benefits to grieving family members. Many who chose mausoleum burial do so to honor a distinctive life, as a loving way to memorialize the deceased, and to provide a beautiful place to visit and remember their loved ones.

Italy Restores the Tomb of the First Roman Emperor

The first Roman Emperor and founder of the Pax Romana, Emperor Augustus (born Gaius Octavius) — the man so influential the Roman Senate named a month after him — is finally getting some long-overdue recognition this summer, as his mausoleum undergoes a major renovation to celebrate the 2,000 year anniversary of his death.

Although Augustus is one of the most influential figures in western history, his mausoleum has fallen on hard times. Over the last few centuries, the monument has been bombed, sacked, and built over, acting as a bullfighting ring and concert hall before being consigned to neglect as a meeting place for vagrants and prostitutes. The mausoleum, which stood 120ft-high and was topped by a 15-ft bronze statue of Augustus himself during its heyday, once housed the emperor’s ashes as well as those of his successors, Tiberius and Claudius. But as tourists flock to the Forum and the Colosseum, the final resting place of Rome’s first and greatest emperor — the man whose rule inaugurated more than two centuries of peace and security in the greater part of the known world — lies unremarked and unnoticed behind a fence across from a pizzeria.

Multi-Million Dollar Restoration of Roman Emperor Augustus’ Mausoleum Begins

Augustus may have initiated the era of the Pax Romana, but there has been little peace at his gravesite in the centuries following his death.

The mausoleum holding the remains of the founder and first emperor of Rome has withstood a series of rowdy events and interlopers, including a group of invaders who sacked the tomb in 410, a bullfighting ring, a cat colony, and present-day prostitutes. However, archaeologists and the city of Rome have furnished funding and plans to restore the mausoleum to its former glory.

Eisenstadt, Austria: The Eternal Home of Joseph Haydn

The quaint Austrian town of Eisenstadt, home to little more than 13,000 people, is the state capital of Burgenland. Nestled in the foothills of the Leitha Mountains, this town has a long and storied history that dates back to well before the time of Christ.

Located only a 45 minute drive from Vienna, the town of Eisenstadt is known for its wine production, beautiful castles, religious architecture, and the many museums that call the city home. It is, however, Eisenstadt’s most famous resident who is responsible for bringing the town to life each year. 

6 FAQs About Private Mausoleums

We understand that before you commit to a private mausoleum as your eternal resting place, you may have questions about these structures. After all, building a private mausoleum or family mausoleum requires the expenditure of resources, so you want to make sure you are fully informed before you begin.

Here are some of the most popular questions our clients ask about private entombment options.

Mausoleum vs. Monument: Similarities, Differences, and Benefits of Each

Every thinking person takes time to examine their lives and legacy periodically. During that time of self-reflection, you may have envisioned how you wish to be remembered.

Of course, you probably want to be remembered for your industry, community, and country contributions. You may also wish to be remembered fondly and respectfully by your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The Pros and Cons of Mausoleums

It’s prudent to consider all end-of-life options, whether you are preplanning for yourself or recently lost someone you love. While the method of disposition may have already been chosen, you also need to consider the final resting place of the remains.

Let’s consider one option – the private mausoleum. We will discuss the pros and cons of this form of entombment and how that compares to underground burial.

How Does a Family Tomb Work?

Someone wise once wrote, “Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one.”

For this reason, when selecting a final resting place, many people choose to include their families in the decision. Building a family tomb allows them to remain close to their family members in life and in death. Many also consider the comfort and convenience of future generations when selecting a permanent resting place.

4 Steps to Buying a Mausoleum

We know that the process of building a mausoleum may fill you with unease. After all, it’s not every day that one considers their final resting place for all of eternity. That’s one reason we would like to break down the process into a few steps.

Building a mausoleum is similar to any other large-scale project that you have completed in your professional or personal life. And if you select the right company to assist you with this project, you might even find yourself enjoying the process.

Memorial Monument: An Investment In Self

Each expenditure of capital, regardless of intent, is a form of investment. Business expenses are often an investment in innovation and progress. Charitable donation, a noble act which also provides a handsome tax deduction is, itself, an investment in humanity. Lastly, earmarking a modicum of your wealth in consideration of end-of-life and afterlife planning is an investment in your own and your family’s legacy.

Through history, monuments have been erected to commemorate important events, groups, and individuals. One’s first visit to our nation’s capital is an awe inspiring experience: traveling past the massive obelisk that is The Washington Monument or reflecting before the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a painstakingly crafted monument that stands as a testament to those soldiers who gave the last full measure of devotion. Monuments also dot the landscape of our nation’s cities and towns, recognizing city fathers and local heroes. There are also self-funded monuments by prominent members of prominent families who want to protect the family name while also seeking to ensure their individuality will forever be recognized.