What is entombment?

Entombment is the interment of human remains in a tomb or crypt, and today is most often referred to as above-ground interment. It involves placing a casket or cremation urn in a crypt or niche (individual compartment within a mausoleum or columbarium) which is then sealed.

What is a mausoleum?

A community mausoleum is simply a large building designed to provide above-ground interment or entombment for a number of unrelated people. Sharing the cost of the mausoleum with other individuals has made it more affordable. Crypts are designed to hold casketed remains. Following a casket entombment, the crypt is sealed and a granite or marble front is attached. Crypt plates are attached to the front of the crypt which memorialize the individual within. Niches will accommodate urns containing cremated remains. Following an urn entombment, a niche front of granite, marble, bronze, wood or glass is attached.

What are the advantages of mausoleum entombment?

Mausoleum crypts are both clean and dry. They offer a viable alternative for those who simply have an aversion to being interred in the ground. Furthermore, with the growing shortage of available land for cemetery use, mausolea allow for a maximum number of entombments in a minimum amount of space.

Are all mausoleums the same?

No.There are also family mausoleums, which are relatively small, privately owned structures designed to house the remains of individual families.

Why is marble used only on indoor crypts, while granite is used on outdoor crypts?

Granite is a harder and far more durable material then marble. As beautiful as marble is, it is not suited to a climate with harsh winters, or today's airborne pollutants such as smoke, smog and industrial gases, to say nothing of acid rain.

What is a columbarium?

A columbarium, often located within a mausoleum or chapel, sometimes free-standing, either indoor or outdoor, is constructed of numerous small compartments (niches) designed to hold urns containing cremated remains.

Are there different types of crypts?

Yes. Single crypts are designed for one entombment only. There are three kinds of double crypts: tandem crypts permit two entombments lengthwise in a crypt; companion crypts permit two entombments side-by-side; westminster crypts permit two entombments, the first below floor level, and the second above it. Most mausoleums are built four, five, six and sometimes seven crypts high. The price of the crypt will depend on its location and type of crypt. For example: upper level crypts are less expensive than those located at eye level.

What types of memorials are permitted?

An inscription on the crypt front is the form of memorial most often chosen with entombment. The same is true of niches, although niche fronts are more widely varied and include bronze and glass. A memorial, in some way, celebrates a life which has been lived. It can take many forms. Some people choose memorial scholarships or charitable gifts.

May I place a photograph on my crypt?

Yes. Ceramic or photoplex pictures may be placed on crypt fronts. Please consult the cemetery office for specifications.

Can an urn containing cremated remains be placed in a crypt?

A number of urns containing cremated remains may be placed in a crypt. All that is required is the permission of the interment rights holder(s). The size of the crypt front may limit the number of memorial inscriptions.

What is included in the entombment fee?

The entombment fee includes administration and permanent record-keeping (determining ownership, obtaining permission and the completion of other documentation which may be required, entering entombment particulars in the interment register, maintaining all legal files); opening and closing the crypt or niche, and replacing the marble or granite front. Any other supplies and /or services which may be required at the time of an entombment would be at an additional cost.

Does a body have to be embalmed before it may be entombed?

No. These days, embalming is largely a matter of choice. However, if you are planning a funeral service which might include several days of visitation with an open casket, embalming is probably advisable. Furthermore, if the body is to be transported any great distance, and particularly outside the state, it may be necessary. Certain states, provinces and countries have very stringent regulations for transporting human remains.

What if I prefer entombment, but my spouse prefers cremation?

This need not be a problem. One solution is to purchase a crypt which would allow for the entombment of a casket or container, as well as an urn containing cremated remains.

May more than one person own the interment rights to the same crypt/niche?

Yes. Interment rights can be owned by one person, or by more than one person as joint tenants or as tenants-in-common.

What is the difference between the various types of ownership?

Sole ownership means one individual, the interment rights holder, owns the interment rights. Upon the death of the interment rights holder, his/her estate retains ownership of the interment rights. Any future entombments, transfers, inscriptions, etc., would require legal documentation to be filed.

Joint Tenants are two or more individuals owning interment rights. Upon the death of the interment rights holder, the surviving interment rights holder(s) retains ownership of the interment rights. Upon the death of the last surviving interment rights holder, his/her estate retains ownership of the interment rights. Again, any further activity with these interment rights will require the filing of legal documentation.

Tenants-in-Common are two or more individuals owning interment rights. Upon the death of an interment rights holder, his/her estate retains ownership of the interment rights together with the surviving rights holder(s). If all interment rights holders are deceased, the estate of each retains ownership of the interment rights, and any further activity will require legal documentation to be filed. Legal requirements and the Cemeteries Act require written authorization from the interment rights holder(s) for permission and/or direction before any interment right can be utilized.

Can someone other than the interment rights holder be entombed in a crypt or niche?

Yes. Anyone may be entombed in any crypt or niche with the permission of the interment rights holder(s).

May I purchase a mausoleum crypt or niche on an installment plan?

Yes. You can take the advantage of flexible payment plans which enable you to purchase interment rights and some services in advance. Interment rights must be paid for before they can be used.

May I designate the future use of my crypt or niche now?

Certainly. You may allocate for the future use of both the entombment space and the inscription space. Allocations may be changed or cancelled at any time by the current interment rights holder(s).