Inside the Chapel

The most most preferred mausoleum building material is granite. That is certainly the way it should be. When building for eternity, practically nothing outlasts granite. It is a good choice for mausoleum exteriors because of its durability and hardness as well as its uniform color.

When selecting materials for mausoleum interiors, especially chapel mausoleums, other not-as-durable materials may be worth considering. While marble may not age well in the weather, it often works well on interiors, especially when a range of textures and colors is desired. The same goes for other masonry materials such as limestone. Marble, of course, has been the preferred material for sculpture, but it is best used when the sculpture is indoors. Again, granite trumps marble for exterior use.

Modern chapel mausoleums usually contain some sort of altar, often placed at the center of the mausoleum. Altars can also double as mini-columbariums. Urns can be placed on shelves inset at the perimeter of the altar or in compartments within the altar. The altar can also serve as a repository for family mementos and keepsakes, such as a silver platter set on the top of the altar, and protected by a thick pane of glass as seen in the photograph accompanying this article. Take a good look at the photograph and you’ll see a variety of textures and colors including the vibrant colors of the stained glass windows. All the elements work together to create a welcoming effect.

The rise in cremation increases the longevity and usability of chapel mausoleums since cremated remains take up much less space than caskets. Thus, generations of a family can be assured of a space in a private mausoleum. My personal observation regarding visitation to either a mausoleum or a more traditional burial location is that visitation often skips a generation. The grief that follows a death sometimes means immediate family members may not want to visit a person who has recently died, but they find it much easier to visit a grandparent or a great grandparent. Chapel mausoleums make that possible.

Text and copy © Douglas Keister Visit Doug’s Author Page

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