Mausoleums

The first mausoleum dates back to 353 BC and the death of King Maussollos, a provincial governor in Persia. He was buried in what became known as the Mausoleum of Mausollos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, now in ruins in present-day Turkey.

A mausoleum has been built in Maitland cemetery and is due to commence operations in 2012. This building-shaped memorial is ideal for above-ground burials in areas where land is limited or water-saturated. It is therefore ideal for the Western Cape environment.

Modular grave boxes

On land where the winter water table is less than one metre underground the soil is rocky or soil conditions make digging graves difficult, above-ground crypts can be made to look like in-ground graves. Concrete bricks are used to build a honeycomb grave structure enclosing two graves, which can be topped with a mound of turf or grass for a natural effect. Modular grave boxes will be made as a burial choice in Cape Town during 2012.