How to Find Land for Your Private Mausoleum: Locations and Construction

Mausoleums have gained notoriety throughout the ages for their architectural beauty and fascinating history. Many mausoleums, along with the estates on which they are located, become historical landmarks in their respective communities, creating a lasting legacy for the families entombed within their walls.

Where do you envision your final resting place? How do you want to express your legacy? The location of your mausoleum is just as important as, and could influence, your mausoleum design. Consider whether you want to purchase a private lot at a high-end cemetery or build your mausoleum on a private estate. Then, customize your family’s mausoleum to your heart’s content.

Memorial Grounds Mausoleum

Many modern cemeteries now offer private lots for family mausoleums, in addition to community mausoleums. Private lots at these cemeteries offer breathtaking views for the living as well as the deceased. Some memorial lots include:

• Ocean views
• Hilltop views
• A swan-filled lake
• Botanical gardens
• Zen gardens
• A nearby waterfall
• Lush landscaping

These spaces are exclusive: some cemeteries only offer a dozen of these types of family lots. However, a number of high-end memorial parks and gardens have been built in recent years – from the coasts to the Midwest – to accommodate the growing demand for custom private mausoleums. For families that want the ultimate luxury memorial, a private memorial lot is a great choice.

Private Mausoleum

You may be able to find a private lot at a memorial park that suits your family’s tastes, but some cemeteries may place restrictions on your mausoleum construction. Those who want the freedom to construct a highly customized structure may choose to build their mausoleums on private property. In fact, royals and other prominent figures have been building mausoleums on private estates for centuries.

If you decide to build a mausoleum on your private estate, make sure to:

• Follow local laws and regulations. Consult your local zoning laws and regulations to make sure that you can construct your mausoleum in the planned spot. Depending on your mausoleum design plans, your construction project may take some time and affect the neighborhood. Be considerate of your community and neighbors.

• Utilize existing grounds or consider landscaping. You may want to utilize the existing space on your property as it is, or you might want to consider landscaping to match your mausoleum design.

• Choose a safe spot to build a solid foundation. Make sure that you choose a spot on your property with solid ground to build your mausoleum’s foundation. You may have to have the ground leveled, or modify your mausoleum design if you plan to build it on a hilltop.

• Consider vantage points and accessibility. Decide whether you want to construct your mausoleum in a secluded area or open space. And consider the accessibility of the structure to your family members, friends, and other visitors who will come to pay their respects.

Your custom family mausoleum serves as a lasting artistic expression. Create a mausoleum plan that identifies the best location and design for your personal landmark.

Mausoleums are a good alternative to ground burials for a number of reasons. Many individuals choose entombment in a mausoleum to ensure the security of remains against natural disasters like floods and earthquakes. Mausoleum security systems protect against grave robbers as well. Others choose mausoleums for the personalization it offers to those who wish to go out in grand fashion, or for the space and cost savings of burying multiple family members in the same place.

Where to Construct a Mausoleum

When opting for entombment in a mausoleum, choose between a community mausoleum and a private mausoleum. The benefit of a private mausoleum is greater flexibility and customization. When constructing a private mausoleum, it’s important to take into account:

Local Laws and Regulations

Mausoleum construction must follow local laws and regulations, that vary by state and municipality. Mausoleums at a cemetery are also subject to the policies of that specific cemetery. Mausoleums built on private property are not subject to cemetery rules but may be subject to state laws regarding mausoleum construction.

Visibility and Privacy

Constructing a mausoleum on private property offers the benefit of an exemption from estate taxes. If you plan to construct a mausoleum on private grounds, carefully consider the location. Do you want the mausoleum to be visible and easily accessible to visitors? Or would you prefer a more private, secluded location? Consider the vantage points of your neighbors and the layout of the surrounding area.

Design and Feng Shui

One of the most famous mausoleums in the world is Emperor Qin’s mausoleum in China, which sits at the foot of Mount Li near Xi’an City. The location of the mausoleum was reportedly selected for its good Feng Shui – a Chinese philosophy that aims to achieve harmony between man and nature. When constructing a mausoleum, consider how it will be incorporated into an estate and its pre-existing structures. A designer or a feng shui expert helps you achieve balance with good design and planning.

Estate Trustees

Building a mausoleum on a private estate is controlled by whoever owns the estate or by your benefactors. If a family moves, sells, or loses ownership of the estate, the fate of your mausoleum may be up in the air. However, unlike with an in-ground burial, remains housed in a mausoleum are easily transported when necessary.

During the mausoleum design process, families must decide where to place the mausoleum. Some New York families create private mausoleums on the personal property while others want their loved ones interred in a New York cemetery where they’ll be well cared for throughout the life of the cemetery.

Best Places for Mausoleum Construction

Private Mausoleums

New York private mausoleums provide families with a measure of privacy and convenience they won’t get with cemetery interment. A private mausoleum can be constructed on the family property where family members may visit their loved ones at any time. If the family lives on the property, the mausoleum is easily accessible with just a few minutes of walking, making it far more convenient than driving to a cemetery to visit a loved one. Families also have complete privacy with a New York estate mausoleum.

On the downside, a private mausoleum requires the family to provide upkeep and maintenance. These needs may be attended to if the mausoleum is located in a cemetery. A private mausoleum on the family property may become a complicating factor if the family chooses to sell the property or move at some point in the future.

Mausoleums at Cemeteries

A New York garden cemetery, such as Woodlawn Cemetery or Green-Wood Cemetery, makes a beautiful resting place for a private mausoleum. When families choose cemetery interment, they have the ability to choose endowed lots, annual care, or other services to provide for the maintenance and upkeep of the private mausoleums. Families may visit the mausoleum at the cemetery, and there is no worry about moving or dealing with the issues of a private mausoleum on family property.

The downsides of mausoleums at cemeteries in New York are:

• The family must drive to visit the mausoleum
• The cemetery may limit the size or scope of the mausoleum
• The mausoleum is less private

Deciding where to place a New York mausoleum requires evaluation of a series of tradeoffs. There is no right answer; families should select the placement of their mausoleums based on what they feel is best for their circumstances and loved ones. While not for everyone, private mausoleums offer many benefits in terms of security, flexibility, and customization. Contact us today to discuss your options for mausoleum construction.

 

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