Grave Matters

A look inside a private mausoleum....

A historic style of entombment is the notorious Pizza Oven Crypts. Found mostly in Louisiana, where below ground burials are nearly impossible due to sea level and flooding, these became a popular and cost effective options for families. Bodies are placed on a ledge inside, and left to decompose in the sweltering heat and sun for 1 year and 1 day. It is illegal to open a crypt before this period of time. If another family member passed prior to this time, a temporary crypt would be used. As the crypt is needed again, the decomposed body remains would be pushed off of the ledge and onto the ground, where previous family members skeletal remains await them. The new family members' body would replace it on the ledge, and the cycle would continue. These were dubbed "pizza ovens" due to their resemblance to a brick oven used for baking.

Obelisks began to pop up as a prominent cemetery monument in the 1840's. They are believed to have been a renewed interest in Egyptian culture and architecture, and were a symbol of Patriotism. They cost less than typical monuments at the time yet offered an elite status symbol. These were typically put in the center of the family plot or at the head of it. They come in many variations and can be made of different types of stone. Obelisks can still be found being placed to this day.

Although cremation has become a tremendously popular option, most people don't know or understand how the process works. There are a lot of things that must take place both beforehand, and during the process that may help with making your own decisions. Make sure you ask before you decide! Knowledge is power, and surprises aren't always a good thing.