The Five Types of Memorialization
Please click on a type below to learn more about the five types of memorialization.
- In-Ground Burial
The traditional choice, in-ground burial consists of five components:
- Gravesite. Also known as "space", "plot", "land", or "property".
- Vault. Concrete enclosure placed in gravesite, serves as casket's protective lining. Vault is closed and sealed after casket placement. Ensures gravesite provides safe, sure-footing for your loved ones.
- Casket. Also known as "coffin", displays and contains the deceased — either for burial or cremation.
- Opening-and-Closing. Preparation of gravesite for burial service. Consists of ground opening, closing (back-filling), and landscaping (to restore gravesite's appearance).
- Memorial. Tribute installed at gravesite. Honors and celebrates a life worth remembering. Memorials are flat bronze "markers" (installed at memorial parks) or upright concrete "monuments" (installed at cemeteries).
Is an in-ground burial right for me?
A ground burial might be right if you:- Want marker or monument memorialization
- Prefer traditional means of burial
- Want loved ones to place flowers and other gravesite decorations at various holidays, seasons
- Wish to be interred next to deceased loved ones
- Aboveground Burial: Community Mausoleum
A community mausoleum is an aboveground building that memorializes many people. You select the space location ("crypt"), and whether you want a single or "companion" crypt (holds two). You also select crypt location level (eye-level is most desirable for most families). Community Mausoleums enable frequent visits in any type of weather. Casket and opening-and-closingare necessary. Vault and memorial are not.
Is a community mausoleum burial right for me?
Community mausoleum might be right if you:- Prefer above-ground, in-door burial
- Want to be absolutely certain burial site is always dry
- Want loved ones to visit in any type of weather
- Aboveground Burial: Private Mausoleum
Private Mausoleums ("Family Mausoleums") provide a distinctive, separate, and, as the name suggests, private structure to memorialize you and your loved ones. Private Mausoleums enable frequent visits in any type of weather. It's your own private sanctuary, providing a climate-controlled, serene, and comfortable environment where you can visit, honor, and pray with your loved ones. Caskets and opening-and-closings are necessary. Vaults and memorials are not.
Is a private mausoleum burial right for me?
Private mausoleum might be right if you:- Prefer above-ground, in-door burial
- Want to be absolutely certain burial site is always dry
- Want loved ones to visit in any type of weather
- Want absolute privacy for you and loved ones
- Prefer to keep entire family together
- Combination In-Ground /Aboveground Burial: Lawn Crypt
A lawn crypt, which holds two, is similar to traditional in-ground burial, yet offers a key benefit inherit with aboveground burial: the space remains clean and dry. We'll install a water drainage systemdirectly below the vault area, giving you added protection from nature's elements. Caskets, memorial, and opening-and-closings are necessary. Vaults are not.
Is a lawn crypt burial right for me?
Lawn crypt might be right if you:- Want marker or monument memorialization
- Prefer traditional means of burial
- Want loved to place flowers and other gravesite decorations at various holidays, seasons
- Wish to be buried next to deceased loved ones
- Want added benefit of dryer gravesite (stemming from water drainage system)
Click here for assistance in determining if lawn crypt burial is right for you.
- Cremation
For some, cremation feels like the right choice. A "crematorium" performs the cremation. There are many options for memorializing the cremated. Some choose to scatter cremated remains ("ashes") in a cemetery scattering garden, at sea, or other place with special meaning. Others choose to place ashes in a cremation "urn", burying the urn in a gravesite space, urn garden, community mausoleum "niche", or "columbarium" (urn mausoleum). Some even choose to place the urn in the survivors home.
If you wish, a viewing and full funeral service can still be held. Casket is optional, depending on whether or not a "direct" cremation is performed (that is, the body is cremated immediately upon death). Vault, memorial, and opening-and-closing will be necessary if urn is buried in gravesite space. Niche opening-and-closing will be necessary if urn is placed in a mausoleum or columbarium niche.
Cremation might be right if you:- Prefer above ground burial
- Prefer a lower-cost memorialization
- Wish cremated remains to remain with loved ones
- Want greater personalization with memorial