The Archdiocese of Milwaukee operates seven mausoleums comprising
of over 60,000 crypts and niches. (Click
here for in-depth information about placing regarding cremated remains in
niches.) Our mausoleums are built using construction materials
and engineering principles that insure permanence. There are inside
climate-controlled crypt areas with nearby chapels, religious art
(statuary, mosaics, paintings and stained-glass windows) and meditation
areas. There are outside crypt areas in malls, patios and courtyards
with beautiful gardens consisting of perennial and seasonal plantings
and sacred shrines with religious statuary.
Although part of our experience within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
only since the early 1970s, entombment in a crypt is an established
burial practice around the world. It has become a strong preference in the Milwaukee
area for various reasons —
Availability
Your Catholic Cemeteries have an ongoing mausoleum
building program to insure the continuing burial of our Christian
faithful in cemeteries where land for traditional in-ground
burial has become scarce.
Equivalent cost to in-ground burial
Products necessary for
in-ground interment are not necessary for above-ground entombment.
A crypt itself serves as the permanent burial vault, so it need not be purchased. The marble
or granite crypt front serves as the memorial. Lettering, either
bronze or engraved, is included in the price of the crypt.
Insurance Protection
In the unfortunate event of vandalism, unlike a personal
marker, monument or vase used to memorialize an in-ground burial,
the insurance carriers of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee cover
crypt memorialization items placed to memorialize an above-ground
entombment.
Secured environment
After mausoleum hours,
our interior crypts and several courtyards are protected by
very sophisticated security and lighting systems.
Protection from the elements of the earth
Interior crypts in chapels and corridors remain comfortable
for visitation regardless of the weather.
Proximity to chapels and other meditation areas
Crypts can be within or near beautiful chapels appointed with
the rich symbolism of the Catholic Christian Faith.
Memorialization
Many crypts include an "Eternal Light". Other
crypt memorialization options include patron saints, religious
symbols, emblems, photo ceramics and floral vases. All are optional and available
at additional expense.
Assured Heritage
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries
reserves a portion of every crypt sale, even beyond state
requirements, in a special endowment (perpetual) care fund to
assure the preservation of these sacred burial grounds and maintain
their continued operation.
Purchasing
We have eight different cemeteries each with many crypt locations and options, you can inquire about mausoleum entombment or initiate a purchase of a crypt by calling or visiting any of our cemeteries to talk with a Family Service Counselor. You can request more information here. However you approach us, we wish to make a full disclosure of all your options and their costs.