Did you know that building mausoleums for the dead dates back to 350 BC? The word “mausoleum” was derived from the Egyptian monarch King Mausolus. Based on historical records, he was the first to occupy the said structure.
Another world-renowned mausoleum is the Taj Mahal. The architectural masterpiece was built by order of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Today, you can still build mausoleums for your loved ones. Some structures are affordable and others might be expensive. Only, not as costly as the above examples. With that said, just how much does a mausoleum cost?
Average Mausoleum Prices
The average Mausoleum prices are wide-ranging. In fact, the costs can go anywhere from a few thousand dollars to several millions of dollars.
There are two kinds of mausoleums available. These are:
- Community mausoleums
- Private mausoleums
Building a private mausoleum is generally more costly. In fact, this is the type of memorialization where you’ll likely spend millions of dollars. After all, you need to pay for the plot and the construction of the property.
The exact cost for a private tomb will depend on the following:
- Size
- Location
- Complexity of the design
- Artwork and special features
- The cemetery
Comparatively, burying your dead in a community mausoleum is more affordable. The average rate of a mausoleum crypt starts at about $4,000 and may reach to $8,500 and up.
That said, expect to pay more if you’re opting for a private cemetery that offers mausoleum burials.
Cost Factors For A Mausoleum Crypt
The exact cost of a mausoleum crypt will depend on the following factors:
- Size
- Types (whether indoor or outdoor)
- Whether it is a single crypt or a double crypt
There are three basic kinds for a double crypt:
Side-by-side crypts
- Has an accommodation of 2 caskets placed horizontally
- You can opt for either a single large marker for the two crypts or an engraved one for each
Companion crypts
- Designed for two people in a space of a single crypt
- The caskets are lined up end to end (equivalent to “double depth” burials)
Westminster crypts
- This type is also known as “family crypts”
- This type can accommodate as many people as you like (well, the number will still depend on how many is allowed by the cemetery)
- The arrangement of the crypts may be end-to-end or side-by-side
- Both arrangements involve stacking the crypts on top of each other
Sample Prices For A Mausoleum Crypt
How much does a mausoleum cost if we’re talking about paying for the crypts in a community-type structure? Most burial companies publish their prices online. Here are some samples to give you an idea of how much you’ll pay.
Glendale Cemetery (New Jersey)
- Single Crypt: $4,500 to $15,000
- Tandem Crypt: $10,000 to $25,000
- Side-by-side Crypt: $15,000 to $35,000
- Westminster Crypt (for 2 or 4): $8,500 to $30,000
Lakewood Cemetery (Minnesota)
- Single Crypt: $7,500 to $27,100
- Double Crypt: $14,250 to $51,500
- Quad Crypt: $30,000 to $72,100
Evergreen Burial Park (Virginia)
- Mausoleum Crypt (includes entombment and engraving fees): $5,000 to $27,500
Additional Costs For A Mausoleum Crypt
What are the other expenses that you have to expect if you’re opting for a mausoleum burial? Here are additional fees charged by the above cemeteries:
Glendale Cemetery (New Jersey)
- Crypt Vase: $200 to $350 (depending on the size)
- Entombment fee: $1,000 (weekdays), $1,250 (Saturdays)
- Inurnment fee: $550 (weekdays), $700 (Saturdays)
Lakewood Cemetery (Minnesota)
- Tree of Remembrance/Ossuary Option/Tribute Wall Garden: $895 to $3,000
- Niches: $4,525 to $9,000+
- Chapel Niches: $8,995 and up
Evergreen Burial Park (Virginia)
- Flower vases: $150 to $1,280
- Memorial and Monument Foundation fee: $1 per square inch
- Inurnment/Interment fee: $500 to $1,400
- Fern Cliff Abbey entombment fee: $1,500 to $1,600
- Regulatory compliance fee: $50
The above prices aim to give you some perspective on the mausoleum burial costs. Using these, you can estimate how much you’ll have to prepare for future above-ground entombments.
Of course, it will be best to contact your preferred cemetery for the prices.
Mausoleum Burials vs. Ground Burials
Many say that a mausoleum crypt is more expensive than a ground plot. Well, initially, that’s true. But if you look closer at the expenses, the cost of each burial service is really not that different from each other.
A burial plot’s average cost, according to EverPlans.com, ranges from $1,500 to $2,500. That’s well below the price of a mausoleum crypt, right?
However, the mausoleum burials do not require outer burial containers. These include vaults and liners that are needed to enclose a casket in the grave.
The said additional cost to complete a ground burial increases the expenses for this type of interment. This add-on evens out the total prices for the two different burial types. So, basically, you’d spend the same whether you choose a crypt or a plot.
Sample Prices For A Private Mausoleum
What is the average rate of a mausoleum if you’re looking into building a private structure? Well, the prices vary depending on the cemetery you’re transacting with. Some of the factors that affect the cost include:
- The price of the cemetery property
According to GreatMausoleums.com, the price range for a cemetery plot is about $1,000 to $3,000 per grave.
The exact cost will depend on the cemetery. It will help to visit several locations so you can decide on what suits your preferences and fits your budget.
- Perpetual care fee
This fee is charged by cemeteries for the maintenance of the property.
Typically, the cost is about 10-15% of the mausoleum total price.
- Foundation costs
Constructing the foundation of the mausoleum will cost you about $2,500 for a small sarcophagus and $10,000 for large buildings.
Advantages Of A Mausoleum Burial
Why opt for an above-ground entombment? For one, mausoleums offer a dry and clean resting place for your loved ones. You should consider the said option if you’re burying the remains in a low-lying area that may be unsuitable for a traditional burial.
Also, an above-ground entombment is an option if the person who will be laid to rest does not want to be buried in the ground.
Other than personal reasons, a mausoleum burial is practical at a time when available land is short. After all, these structures allow a maximum number of entombments in a smaller area size.