As we know them in the present day, especially in the Western World, a mausoleum is a small building built as part of a cemetery, by a community or organization as an above-ground final resting place for the casketed remains of the dead. The space occupied by each casket is called a crypt or occasionally, a vault (to be confused with a burial vault).

While placement in a mausoleum can be costly, in some cases it is a more financially sound decision than an in-ground burial. The sharing of costs, reasonable ongoing maintenance charges and the large amount of interments that can be housed in one mausoleum often make for a more manageable overall cost.

Mausoleums are built of sturdy, weather-resistant materials with crypts that are designed to protect the remains. Once the casket has been entombed, a stone front piece (often of marble or granite that has been carved or is adorned with a metal plaque which marks the name and dates of the deceased's birth and death) seals the crypt. There are several reasons for choosing entombment in a mausoleum. Some of them are:

1. A mausoleum is above ground. This is a more comfortable idea for those who do not like the idea of being buried in the ground.

2. Entombment offers a comparable, and at times, competitive cost to in-ground interment.

3. A mausoleum also saves on ground use, especially at a time when available ground for burials is rapidly running out.

In regions with a low water table, interment in the ground is often difficult or impossible. In such places, above-ground entombment may be the only option approximating a traditional burial.

In some places, an above ground crypt may house the remains of one person with larger crypts being dedicated to single families and still larger mausoleums designed to hold the remains of whole communities. In most very large mausoleums the crypts or vaults are stacked one on top of the other in columns and rows rather like a very large bookshelf or filing cabinet.

Most mausoleums are built six or seven crypts high, with some accommodating double crypts.

Double crypts come in three basic kinds:

• "Tandem crypts" accommodate two entombments lengthwise in one crypt.

• "Companion crypts" provide two entombments side by side.

• "Westminster crypts" are a unique design (and rare, especially in the United States) where one entombment is above ground with another below. Also, I would like you to be aware that some mausoleums also have a special, attached columbarium section for the entombment of Cremains in urns.

When considering your options in interring your loved one's remains, if the burial, cremation and entombment are still unappealing, there are a few more options available to you. Though certainly nontraditional, they may suit your tastes or the tastes of the deceased. Remember, that is the most important factor, making certain that both your desires and the desires of your loved one are met. This is why it is important to explore all options thoroughly.