Throughout history, beautiful mausoleums have been constructed to honor and celebrate those who have passed. Today, the tradition remains for families who long to keep their legacy alive for generations to come.
Similar to building a house, there are several elements to customize when it comes to mausoleum design—from its size, colors and personalizations, to the landscaping surrounding it.
Depending on size and scale, mausoleums take on average between four to six months from design to installation. Continue reading to learn about the wide range of mausoleum design elements you can customize when creating your lasting legacy.
>>To learn more information about mausoleums—definition, types, cost, advantages—click here.
Granite is the ideal stone for any type of grave marker or cemetery monument, especially a mausoleum, since it can last thousands of years with essentially no deterioration.
Formed by volcanic magma, granite is one of the oldest stones on earth. As the second hardest substance next to a diamond, granite is a perfect option to eternally preserve a memory.
Although granite colors for mausoleums are limited due to the need for larger slabs, there are still a variety of granite options to choose from:
Once a decision is made on your desired color of granite, it’s time to focus on specific design elements that really enhance the look of the inside and outside of the mausoleum.
The interior and exterior of a mausoleum are both of equal importance. The exterior is what you and your loved ones will initially see when visiting to pay your respects. The following are some options to consider incorporating to the exterior design:
The interior is what you and your family will experience when visiting and memorializing lost loved ones. A peaceful, personalized ambiance will truly impact your time of reflection. Here are some unique elements you can incorporate into the interior design of a mausoleum:
Similar to building a house, decorative accents such as columns and moldings can also be added to mausoleums.
When it comes to choosing the type of columns for a mausoleum, there are a few options: smooth, fluted with shallow grooves or decorative capitals. Your column type is completely based on personal preference and aesthetic style.
There are three types of ornate moldings you can choose from:
While molding and columns are a great addition to the overall mausoleum design, a roof and doors are essential to the functionality of walk-in mausoleums.
There are two types of roofs you can choose from: flat or peaked. Refer to the photo below to see which you prefer.
Each plaque can be adorned with lettering and accents such as borders, backgrounds and photographic representations.
Etchings and engravings allow families to add true personalization to the design of their mausoleum.
Incorporating these elements gives you the opportunity to display the family name, crest and epitaph.
Etching is a method used to transfer more detailed images onto granite. Our skilled memorial craftspeople first create a freehand drawing to scale, which is transferred to the headstone. Then, they precision etch the image by hand directly into the polished surface.
Engraving is the most common method used to create the lettering and symbols on a gravestone or cemetery monument. In addition to lettering in any style and language, we can also engrave detailed reproductions from a photograph or from our library of stock images.
Milano Monuments works directly with individuals and families to construct custom mausoleums that fit their interests and needs.
Check out our comprehensive mausoleum guide to explore the possibilities of these grand structures, including mausoleum designs, artistic and architectural personalizations, and the typical costs of mausoleums.