Comparison
Burial vs Entombment
By Karl-Gustav Kallasmaa · Updated June 2026
Both lay a casket to rest, but the location differs. Burial places the casket in the ground, usually with a vault and a headstone. Entombment places the casket above ground in a sealed mausoleum crypt. Entombment typically costs more than a standard in-ground plot but skips the separate burial vault and keeps the casket out of the earth.
Burial versus Entombment, compared
| Burial | Entombment | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | In the ground | Above ground, in a crypt |
| Vault needed? | Usually yes | No — the crypt seals the casket |
| Marker | Headstone or flat marker | Crypt plate / inscription |
| Typical cost | Plot + vault + marker | Often higher than a standard plot |
| Best for | Traditional in-ground resting place | Above-ground preference, family crypt |
Figures are typical national ranges and vary widely by area and provider. Under the FTC Funeral Rule you're entitled to an itemized price list — always confirm prices directly.
Choose burial
Choose burial for a traditional in-ground gravesite and headstone.
Choose entombment
Choose entombment to rest above ground in a mausoleum crypt.
Common questions
- What is the difference between burial and entombment?
- Burial places the casket in the ground, typically inside a vault and marked with a headstone. Entombment places the casket above ground in a sealed crypt within a mausoleum. Both are forms of casketed final disposition; the difference is in-ground versus above-ground.
- Is entombment more expensive than burial?
- Often, yes. A single mausoleum crypt commonly costs more than a standard in-ground plot, though prices vary widely by cemetery and location. Entombment does avoid the separate cost of a burial vault, since the crypt itself seals the casket.
- Can cremated remains be entombed?
- Yes. Cremated remains can be placed in a columbarium niche, which is the cremation equivalent of entombment, or interred in the ground. A niche is usually much less expensive than a full-body crypt.