What Is a Family Crypt? A Guide to Multi-Generational Mausoleum Memorials

How a family crypt works

A family crypt is built with multiple interment spaces, or "crypts," inside a mausoleum structure. Each space is sized to hold a casket, and the number of spaces can range from as few as two to a dozen or more, depending on the size of the mausoleum and the family's needs.

Family crypts are typically part of either a private, free-standing mausoleum built specifically for one family, or a section within a larger community mausoleum where a family purchases multiple adjoining crypts. Both approaches achieve the same goal — keeping family members interred together — but differ significantly in cost, customization, and cemetery requirements.

Family crypt vs. single crypt

A single crypt holds the remains of one person, while a family crypt is designed from the outset to hold several. Families choosing between the two typically weigh:

• Number of interments needed. A single crypt suits an individual or a couple planning ahead independently, while a family crypt is built for parents, children, and often extended family.

• Long-term planning. A family crypt is often purchased years in advance, as part of broader estate and memorial planning, so that future generations have a place reserved.

• Cost per interment. While a family crypt requires a larger upfront investment, the cost per interment space is often more efficient than purchasing several individual crypts or plots over time.

Family crypts vs. columbarium niches

Families are sometimes deciding between a family crypt and a family columbarium arrangement. The two serve different needs:

• A family crypt is built to hold full-body caskets, making it the right choice for families who prefer traditional burial.

• A columbarium section, by contrast, holds cremated remains in individual niches rather than caskets, and is generally a more compact and cost-efficient option for families who have chosen cremation.

Some mausoleums are designed to include both crypt spaces and columbarium niches within the same structure, giving a family flexibility as preferences change across generations. We cover this comparison in more detail in our guide to mausoleums vs. columbarium.

Design options for a family crypt

Because a family crypt is meant to represent an entire family rather than a single individual, design decisions carry extra weight. Families typically consider:

• Exterior style. Options range from a traditional Great American style mausoleum, with its classic columned facade, to a walk-in style mausoleum with a private interior space for reflection.

• Family name and inscription. Most family crypts feature the family surname prominently on the exterior, with individual names, dates, and inscriptions added to each crypt space as needed.

• Material and finish. Granite and marble are the most common materials, chosen for both durability and the range of colors and finishes available. You can explore options on our Granite Colors & Materials page.

• Religious and family symbols. Crests, religious emblems, and other meaningful imagery are commonly incorporated into the crypt's exterior design.

Planning considerations for a family crypt

Before committing to a family crypt, families should think through:

1. How many interment spaces are actually needed, accounting for both current family members and future generations.

2. Cemetery approval and location requirements, since not every cemetery has space designated for private family mausoleums.

3. Budget, since a family crypt represents a significant investment compared to individual memorials, though it can reduce long-term costs when spread across several interments.

4. Timeline, since designing and constructing a family crypt takes considerably longer than a traditional headstone, and is best planned well in advance rather than during an active time of need.

Why work with an experienced monument company

Designing a family crypt is one of the most significant memorial decisions a family can make, and it requires close coordination between the family, the cemetery, and the monument company from the earliest stages of planning. Abby Rose Inc. has more than 25 years of experience designing custom mausoleums and family crypts for families throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, working directly with cemetery offices to confirm requirements before any design work begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many people can be interred in a family crypt? This depends on the size of the mausoleum, but family crypts commonly hold anywhere from two to a dozen or more interment spaces.

2. Is a family crypt more expensive than individual headstones? The upfront cost is typically higher, but the cost per interment space can be more efficient over time, particularly for larger families planning multiple generations ahead.

3. Can a family crypt include space for cremated remains as well as caskets? Yes — some mausoleums are designed with both crypt spaces for caskets and columbarium niches for cremated remains within the same structure.

4. How long does it take to build a family crypt? Timelines vary based on design complexity and cemetery approval, but families should expect the process to take significantly longer than a traditional headstone, so early planning is recommended.

5. Does every cemetery allow family crypts? Not necessarily. Availability and requirements vary by cemetery, which is why confirming details with the cemetery office early in the process is essential.

Start planning a family crypt

A family crypt is a lasting way to keep generations of a family together in one dignified, permanent memorial. If you're considering a family crypt or private mausoleum, explore our mausoleum options or contact Abby Rose Inc. to begin the design process.

Abby Rose Inc. — 602 U.S. Highway RT. 130, Yardville, NJ 08691 | (609) 585-2242 | info@abbyroseinc.com