Your guide to mausoleums, crypts and above-ground memorials

For some families, above-ground interment is a preferred choice, offering an alternative to burial or cremation that honours personal and cultural values.

These purpose-built structures are especially meaningful within communities with longstanding entombment traditions, including some Christian and Asian backgrounds, providing long-term, above-ground internment.

In this guide, we look at how mausoleums and crypts work, where they’re available, and what to consider when exploring above-ground memorial options.

Above-ground memorials come in a variety of forms, depending on your cultural needs, preferences and the facilities available. Here’s a closer look at the most common options, and the differences between them.

Mausoleums are architecturally designed buildings that house individual crypt spaces above ground. They may be private (for a single family) or community mausoleums open to multiple families. Mausoleums often feature elaborate stonework, religious icons, inscriptions or reflective spaces such as chapels or alcoves.

Crypts are above-ground interment chambers designed to hold one or more individuals within a larger structure. They may be accessed from the exterior or interior of a mausoleum and are sealed to meet strict engineering and safety standards. Crypts are commonly chosen by families who value the tradition of above-ground interment but prefer a simpler alternative to a private mausoleum. 

Other above-ground memorials may include wall-niches for larger caskets, family vaults, or architecturally integrated memorial chambers found in some memorial parks.

Wondering if mausoleums, crypts or other above-ground memorials are available in most cemeteries across Australia? In many cases, they’re only offered in selected memorial parks with the facilities and expertise to support them. 

These structures require specialist design and engineering and dedicated long-term maintenance, which means they are typically offered only in selected locations. They tend to be more common in larger metropolitan memorial parks or areas with strong cultural demand for above-ground interment. 

As InvoCare General Manager Simone Ravenscroft explains, memorial parks work with “a very select amount of specialists in the space” to design and construct these memorials due to the expertise involved. Families interested in a mausoleum or crypt usually need to visit a memorial park that specialises in above-ground options to explore availability, design features and pricing. 

Some families may instead choose repatriation, as above-ground interment is more common and culturally expected in certain countries.

Mausoleums, crypts and other above-ground memorials offer a meaningful alternative to traditional burial – particularly for families with strong cultural or spiritualreligious ties to entombment. While not available in every location, these memorials can provide a lasting and respectful place of remembrance for generations to come.

If you’re considering this type of memorial for yourself or a loved one, it’s worth speaking to a specialist or visiting a memorial park that offers above-ground interment options. With the right support, you can make a decision that reflects your values and honours your family’s traditions.