An alternative to a traditional ground burial, mausoleums and crypts are above-ground final resting places. The Taj Mahal is the most famous mausoleum in the world. Below, we cover the basics, including:

• How it works

• Crypts

• Cost

How it works
A mausoleum is a small building that houses bodies after a funeral. Bodies are entombed in aboveground crypts that block weather and protect the remains. People may choose a mausoleum because they are dry and clean aboveground, it is comparable in cost to a belowground burial, and it saves ground space.

Crypts
The crypts come in singles and doubles. There are three types of double crypts:

1. Tandem Crypts – Two entombments lengthwise in one crypt.

2. Westminster Crypts – One entombment aboveground and the other below.

3. Companion Crypts – Two entombments side by side.

Cost
The cost of a crypt in a mausoleum averages around $4,000, but can be found for around $2,000. This burial option can trend towards expensive, but if the mausoleum is rather large it is possible to share the costs.