There are a number of alternatives to traditional burial in the ground. One common option is to be placed in a mausoleum. A mausoleum is a building specially designed to house the dead; it may be constructed specifically for a single person, or it may be intended to house the remains of multiple people.

This isn’t a new concept, and in fact, mausoleums have been in use around the world for thousands of years. Today, many cemeteries offer access to mausoleums, and you might also consider having a mausoleum built as a place for your immediate family to all eventually be entombed together.

Bodies in a mausoleum are entombed in a defined space known as the crypt. There are a few benefits to this, and the most obvious is simply that entombment in a crypt is cleaner and dryer than burial in the ground. Because mausoleums are buildings, they provide an enclosed space for visitors to come and pay their respects year-round. And, mausoleums typically use less land space than traditional burial plots do, making them a surprisingly eco-friendly option.

Finally, mausoleums offer a defined space that can be reserved for a couple or for an entire family—making it one of the best ways to ensure that you and your loved ones ultimately share the same final resting place and that it’s easy for future generations to come pay their respects.

If entombment in a mausoleum is something you’d like to consider, the best way to proceed is simply to reach out to your local funeral director to learn more about the options available to you.