Memory Gardens Mausoleum Bankruptcy

After repeated financial problems, the Cullman Memory Gardens has once more been closed by the State of Alabama. In 2008, the mausoleum had been taken into receivership due to alleged mismanagement by the previous owner – Mike Graham and Associates. The property facilities have continued to deteriorate due to the failure to provide proper maintenance. Families complained of a foul liquid smell emanating from the tombs of the mausoleum. Bankruptcy trustees have been placed in charge of Cullman Memory Gardens.

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.

Private Burials on the Rise

Funerals traditionally include a viewing or wake for the deceased, a church service or secular service, and, lastly, burial in a churchyard or cemetery. However, private burial in a mausoleum is a practice gaining in popularity. Private mausoleums are burial monuments with a burial chamber or chambers and niches for cremated remains. When choosing a mausoleum, there are two major options, community and private.

Community mausoleums, often found within cemeteries, provide burial above ground, or entombment, for dozens or hundreds of unrelated people. Community mausoleums offer a tranquil atmosphere, seating, a chapel, and places for flower arrangements.

Memorials: Stones, Benches and More

Memorials are one of the most important elements of the funeral process for family members and the deceased alike. Family members use memorial stones, plaques, benches, and other memorial objects as focal points for grieving. They visit memorials when they want to feel close to the deceased family member, or to show their respect and love on significant days, like birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or anniversaries of death. Planned in advance, memorial objects also provide the subject of the memorial the comfort of knowing he or she will be remembered long after passing. What kind of memorial is right for you or your lost loved one?

Memorial Stones, Headstones and Markers

Memorial stones, memorial headstones, and memorial markers are the most common types of memorials. Memorial headstones and markers serve the same function as gravestones; they record personal information, such as name, date of birth, and date of death. Memorial stones sometimes bear inscriptions with inspiring or descriptive text about the deceased, such as "Beloved Mother" or "An Inspiration to All." Memorial markers are placed where the remains have been laid to rest, somewhere that was significant to the deceased, or somewhere the family enjoys.

Grave Markers: Price and Important Selection Considerations

Grave markers serve an important dual purpose; marking the remains of the deceased, and providing a focal point for grief. Families choose grave headstones based on a few key criteria: budget, style, and what represents the deceased family member.

Budget is a Key Consideration When Selecting Grave Markers

While it may seem crass, budget is a key consideration when selecting gravestone markers. With all of the other expenses associated with funeral planning, spending another $500 to $3,000 – or more – on elaborate grave marker designs is something that many families simply can’t afford. Families typically begin shopping for grave markers for sale within a specific budget; say $300 to $500; and then look for affordable grave markers within that price range. Cheap grave markers tend to start around $175 to $200, but it’s difficult to find grave stones at a price point lower than that.

Turkish Soccer Fans March on Revolutionary’s Mausoleum, Demand Justice

In pursuit of justice, hundreds of supporters of Turkish soccer club Fenerbahçe marched to Anıtkabir, the country’s most famous mausoleum, on March 23, 2014.

According to the Hurriyet Daily News, a Turkish publication, protesters chanted “Justice for Turkey, justice for Fenerbahçe” and “Light a torch for justice” during the march to Ankara, where the mausoleum is located.

The protest follows a similar rally for justice held in Istanbul in February. Both rallies were organized as a response to a controversial verdict by Turkey’s Supreme Court, which found Fenerbahçe chairman of thirteen years Aziz Yıldırım and other officials guilty of attempting to fix matches during the 2010-2011 championship.

Is a Community Mausoleum Right for You?

A community mausoleum offers affordable mausoleum interment options for families whose budgets don’t support private mausoleums. Community mausoleums have benefits beyond price, though there are some areas in which private mausoleum interment offers more customization and peace of mind.

Community Mausoleums Offer Affordable Interment Options

One of the primary reasons that families choose interment in a community mausoleum instead of a private mausoleum is the affordability of community mausoleum interment. Being interred in a community mausoleum is a fraction of the cost of a private family mausoleum.