Mausoleums, Lawn Crypts, and Family Estates: Above-Ground and Special Burial Options
Reviewed by Everendium Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 18, 2026
Quick answer
A mausoleum is an above-ground structure housing a casket in a sealed compartment (crypt). A lawn crypt is a pre-installed underground burial container flush with the lawn. A family estate is a larger cemetery plot designed to hold multiple family members together over time. Each is typically more expensive than a standard single burial plot.
Beyond a standard single burial plot, cemeteries typically offer a few other options worth understanding.
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an above-ground structure containing sealed compartments, called crypts, where caskets are placed rather than buried underground. Some families choose this for religious, cultural, or personal aesthetic reasons.
Lawn crypt
A lawn crypt is a pre-installed underground burial container, flush with the surrounding lawn, sometimes designed for double-depth burial — allowing two caskets to be stacked within the same plot. This can be a practical, cost-effective option for couples who want to be buried together.
Family estate
A family estate is a larger cemetery plot, often with its own dedicated monument, designed to hold multiple family members over time. This is a way some families choose to keep generations together in one place, rather than in scattered individual plots.
Mausoleum
- ✓Sealed crypt, above ground
- ✓For a casket
- ✓Religious/personal preference
Lawn Crypt
- ✓Pre-installed underground
- ✓Can be double-depth
- ✓Good for couples together
Family Estate
- ✓Larger plot, own monument
- ✓Holds multiple family members
- ✓Keeps generations together
Each option typically costs more than a standard single burial plot.
Cost considerations
Each of these options typically costs more than a standard single burial plot, due to additional construction, space, or materials — worth discussing directly with the specific cemetery you’re considering.
Availability, terminology, and costs vary significantly by cemetery — ask directly about options at cemeteries you’re considering.
Frequently asked questions
Why would a family choose a mausoleum instead of ground burial?+
Some prefer it for personal, religious, or cultural reasons, or simply for the aesthetic and permanence of an above-ground structure. It's a personal preference rather than a requirement.
What's the difference between a lawn crypt and a regular burial plot?+
A lawn crypt has a pre-installed underground burial container already in place, sometimes allowing for double-depth burial (two caskets stacked) within the same plot — this can be more cost-effective for couples planning to be buried together.
What is a family estate?+
A larger cemetery plot, sometimes with its own dedicated monument, designed to hold multiple family members over time — a way of keeping generations of a family together in one place.
Are these options more expensive than a standard plot?+
Generally yes, due to the additional construction, space, or materials involved — though costs vary significantly by cemetery and region.
Sources
Related glossary terms
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