- Burial above ground
- Embalmment
- Solves shortages of land
- Practical and cost-effective
- Mausoleums are external free-standing buildings.
- Modern mausoleums, also known as Columbaria, house cremated remains.
- They are in cemeteries, churchyards, or even private land such as farms.
Why mausoleums?
- Mausoleums are particularly in Europe and America because of land shortages.
- The mausoleum, itself, has one main tombstone, with individual plaques attached to containers holding the ashes of the deceased.
- This is a cost-effective and practical alternative to individual and conventional tombstones – much like a Wall of fame.
- Mausoleums also tend to be free of maintenance, because they are generally clad with hardwearing granite or stone.
Embalming
- Embalmment does is no guarantee to decomposition.
- It is merely a temporary preservation process.
- Some religions dictate that the bodies of their deaths may not be cremated.
- With mausoleums, the remains of the deceased can be placed in an unsealed casket.
- In this way, moist air is drawn away from the remains, allowing a slow-drying process to take place.
- The remains become dehydrated, or mummified.
Decomposition
Decomposition takes place due to several factors such as:
- The cause of death
- Humidity
- The protection offered by the coffin or vault
- Rainfall
- Temperature
- Soil drainage
Conclusion
South Africa, as with most other countries worldwide, is experiencing a population rise.
Mausoleums offer an ideal solution.
They are cost-effective in that being laid to rest in a mausoleum is a cheaper alternative than a conventional funeral in which bodies are buried below ground.
They are more hygienic, as there is no or little chance of any noxious gases escaping into the air.
South Africans will have to realise that there are more reasons in favour of mausoleums than traditional funerals.
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