​Older mausoleums were built entirely on site using very thick blocks of granite. Wall thickness was 12” in many older mausoleums. Advances in the fabrication, assembly and installation have made 12” thick walls unnecessary in many mausoleums built today. The wall thickness of a sarcophagus often measures 4” to 6” these days. Vestibule mausoleums manufactured today often have a wall thickness between 6” and 8”.

Some cemeteries will require a certain thickness for a mausoleum to be set on their grounds. Great Mausoleums will work with each client to guarantee that the mausoleum is acceptable for use at the designated cemetery. We will contact the designated cemetery and outline any specific guidelines that must be followed.

​At the time of construction it is not uncommon for each member of the family to be living. When the time comes to entomb someone in the mausoleum an inscription is added. The inscription commonly consists of the following elements: Name, Date of Birth/Date of Death, Endearment and a carving/design.

The inscription is done by removing the shutter from the inside of the mausoleum and engraving the inscription. This can be done either at the cemetery or in the manufacturing facility. The process is not complicated and we regularly complete this type of work. 

The private mausoleum is built to stand forever. Modern production techniques combined with top of the line materials will result in a mausoleum that will require minimal attention over time.
 
Great Mausoleums feels a warranty is essential for each mausoleum purchase. We would be skeptical of any mausoleum builder that does not offer a warranty.
 
The warranty covers all materials and craftsmanship and is the strongest warranty in the industry. Our warranty is transferable to heirs and the cemetery. 

The Koavc mausoleum is a two crypt private mausoleum manufactured entirely in the United States of America. The material used for this building is polished Barre Grey Granite. The base of the mausoleum is rock pitch. The family name is engraved using frosted outline letters and the endearment is v-sunk in a steeled panel. Deep carved roses and cross are engraved on the side. 
 
The bronze door was manufactured by Waukegan Architectural and features the initial cast with a wreath.
 
The mausoleum was pre-fabricated and delivered to St. Gertrude Cemetery in Colonia, NJ. A crane was utilized to install this 43,000 lb. private mausoleum on the foundation.

The problem with imported mausoleums is that neither the family nor the mausoleum builder is certain of exactly what they are getting until it is too late. Seldom will a mausoleum builder travel overseas to monitor the production of a mausoleum and any problems will not be detected until the building has arrived at the cemetery. With American Made mausoleums we are able to monitor the construction process and make sure that only the highest quality materials and qualified craftsmen are building the mausoleum.

High quality materials in American Made mausoleums include flawless granite and architectural quality bronze accessories. It is not uncommon for overseas manufacturers to substitute architectural quality bronze doors with stainless steel doors having a thin copper plating. This is unacceptable by the standards of Great Mausoleums and is not to be sold as a “Bronze Door”.

In order to have full confidence in the mausoleum builder and to guarantee a worthy finished product, consumers are wise to look beyond the price tag and purchase an American Made Great Mausoleum. 

​On average, we expect a production time of 4-6 months for a private mausoleum.  The time it takes to build and deliver a private mausoleum depends on three main factors.
 
Size and Complexity: Complex and larger designs will naturally take longer to complete when compared to a simple mausoleum.
 
Material Selection: Certain granite types are more readily available in the dimensions needed for mausoleum construction. Barre Grey Granite is the most consistently available granite to source in large blocks. Other granites, such as American Black, can be challenging to source in large quality pieces. Great mausoleums is most selective in the blocks used to construct.
 
Weather: Most of our mausoleums are installed in the spring, summer and fall. Prefabricated mausoleums can be installed in any season while on-site construction is to be completed in warmer weather months. Most cemeteries will only construct the foundation while the weather is warm.

As with many goods and services offered today, the option of importing a mausoleum from overseas is an option. There is a distinction between imported granite that is assembled and manufactured in the USA and mausoleums that are fully-quarried, manufactured and assembled outside of the USA. We usually refer to mausoleums that are fully-quarried, manufactured and assembled overseas as imported mausoleums. Great Mausoleums always recommends American made mausoleums.

Domestically manufactured mausoleums allow Great Mausoleums to control all aspects of production and guarantee the highest quality finished product produced with a perpetual warranty.

While an American-made mausoleum may cost more than an imported mausoleum, our experience has shown us that most families are better off over the long term in selecting a domestically manufactured mausoleum. A domestically produced mausoleum is usually better-crafted, fully-warrantied and delivered to the cemetery in a timelier manner.

The Paneque mausoleum is an eight crypt private mausoleum manufactured entirely in the United States. Polished Rockville White Granite was selected by the family with Sierra White shutters on the interior of the building. There is a removable alter inside the building with ample space to keep cremation urns.
 
There is a decorative lintel and columns on the front of the building. Waukegan Architectural manufactured the bronze door.
 
The mausoleum was prefabricated and delivered to Brookside Cemetery in Englewood, NJ. A very large crane lifted the 62,000 lb. structure and safely landed it on the foundation.

While ​Great Mausoleums is capable of building a private mausoleum anywhere in the United States. Our preference is to work with clients that are within driving distance from New Jersey. Mausoleum clients require a responsive builder who is familiar with the requirements of each cemetery.
 
Our focus is to offer the highest quality service in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. We are often able to recommend a qualified mausoleum builder outside our service area.

The cost of building a private mausoleum is determined by a number of variables. Each variable is discussed below.
 
1. Cemetery Costs
Cemetery Property: Land is purchased directly from the cemetery. Most cemeteries have plots set aside for private mausoleums. The cost of the property varies depending on the cemetery but it is not uncommon for a mausoleum plot to cost between $50,000.00 and $100,000.00 in New York and New Jersey.
 
Perpetual Care: This is a maintenance fee that most cemeteries collect from the family. This fee varies depending on the cemetery and usually costs between 10-10% of the retail cost of the mausoleum.
 
Mausoleum Foundation: A foundation for the mausoleum must be constructed. Most cemeteries will construct the foundation themselves. The cost of the foundation will depend on the footprint of the mausoleum. Many cemeteries charge a fee of $1.00 per square inch for the foundation. This results in an average cost of $7,000.00 for a simple sarcophagus or $15,000.00 for a large family mausoleum.
 
2. Mausoleum Costs
Private Mausoleum Construction: The cost of manufacturing, delivering and installing the mausoleum on your cemetery property. Prices will fluctuate given the size, design and materials used in the construction. We generally recommend a family budget approximately $25,000.00 per crypt when planning a private mausoleum.
 
Traditional Payment Terms: 1/3 payment due upon signing contract, 1/3 payment due upon approval of plans, 1/3 payment due upon delivery to the cemetery.

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​Only a qualified mausoleum builder has the knowledge, experience and the financial stability necessary to manufacture a private mausoleum. Choosing a mausoleum builder based solely on price is often a mistake. Be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true. Often the low prices are a result of low quality granite and poor craftsmanship. Great Mausoleums manufactures all of their private mausoleums in the United States using the highest quality materials and craftsmanship.

A qualified mausoleum builder should be able to clearly spell out all the costs involved in constructing a mausoleum. Only a qualified mausoleum builder has the experience necessary to turn your idea into a mausoleum that fits your budget. Experience allows reputable organizations to come up with creative designs and find ways to achieve the desired effect while staying within each client's budget.

​Barre Grey Granite, quarried in Barre, VT is the most common granite used for mausoleum construction in New York and New Jersey. Barre Grey Granite is a consistent granite from a quarry that can produce the large blocks needed for mausoleum construction. Material pricing is very competitive when compared to other granite types.

Mountain Rose Granite, quarried in Vermillion Bay, Ontario Canada is a popular option for private mausoleum clients in New York and New Jersey. Mountain Rose Granite is a beautiful option in polished and steeled finishes. Material pricing is competitive. 

Rockville Granite, quarried in Rockville, Minnesota is another popular option in New York and New Jersey. Most commonly produced with a polished finish, Rockville Granite is a most competitive material.

Jet Black Granite, Mahogany Granite and American Red Granite are higher priced materials for private mausoleum construction.

One should consider personal preference, budget and accessibility of material when choosing a granite type for their private mausoleum. Great Mausoleums will help to educate clients on the available options and provide guidance on material selection.

Click here for a view of all available granite for private mausoleum construction.