The Archdiocese of Milwaukee operates seven mausoleums comprising over 60,000 above-ground crypts and 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 above-ground placement has been available in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee 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. Insurance Protection In the unfortunate event of vandalism, any damaged or stolen memorialization (emblems, vases, photo ceramics and the like) is the responsibility of the purchaser, not the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Cemeteries. Despite our efforts in prevention, people can willfully steal, harm or damage objects bought in loving memory of deceased family and friends. Secured environment After mausoleum hours, our interior crypts and several courtyards are protected by 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.
We have seven different cemeteries with mausoleums 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 Advisor. You can request more information here. However you approach us, we wish to make a full disclosure of all your options and their costs.