Consider Security in Your Mausoleum Design

In the past few weeks, several mausoleum break-ins and vandalism reports made news headlines, highlighting the need for security in mausoleum design. Many simply don’t consider criminal activity when they’re designing and building a mausoleum, but a few basic considerations ensure that your mausoleum – and your family – are protected from common mausoleum-based crimes. Mausoleum security potentially saves your family thousands of dollars in costs associated with vandalism and theft and ensures that your final rest is undisturbed.

Beware of Common Mausoleum Crimes

When thinking about security for your mausoleum, consider ways to counter:

• Vandalism: breaking into the mausoleum and causing malicious destruction, such as destroying statuary, defacing paintings, and breaking stained glass
• Theft: breaking into a mausoleum for the purpose of taking jewelry or other mementos of value
• Use of mausoleum for illicit activities: breaking into a mausoleum for the purposes of drug use or even camping in the mausoleum

Minimize the potential danger to your mausoleum by thinking about security when you select a location for your mausoleum, and integrate security features into your design.

Think About Security When You Select a Cemetery or Location

Many people choose mausoleum locations for the view, for convenience to family, or even for the status of being interred in a well-known cemetery. Few people think about the potential security benefits of a specific location. When selecting a final resting place for your mausoleum, consider:

• Whether the cemetery gates are closed after dark
• Whether the facility has groundskeepers, security guards, or other staff present to deter vandalism and other common mausoleum issues
• Whether the facility has video cameras or other coverage to help catch vandals and deter crime

If you’re erecting a private mausoleum on your own property, you’ll address some of these issues yourself – but you may lack the convenience of groundskeeping or security staff present in a cemetery or other devoted facility. These factors don’t have to be the final determinant when selecting a location for your mausoleum, but give them some consideration to factor in security concerns. 

Consider Integrating Security Features Into Your Mausoleum Design

Whether or not the cemetery or location you choose for your mausoleum is secure, integrate security features into your mausoleum design. Simple wrought iron bars over the windows help deter basic vandalism and theft, and the right design blends these features seamlessly with your overall mausoleum look. Closing and locking mausoleum doors is helpful in preventing crime and vandalism and provides privacy for visiting family members. Finally, for the ultimate in mausoleum security, integrate an electronic security system into your design, much like the systems used in residential and commercial applications.

Give your family the peace of mind of considering security in your mausoleum construction.