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Frequently Asked Questions...


These are answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions regarding the philosophy, policies, practices and paperwork of the Mausoleum and Columbarium.

Simply click on a specific question to view its answer. Scroll down the page to read the full list of questions with answers. For more information or further clarification about these questions and answers, or any other questions for that matter, please contact us.

1. Who may be buried in the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

2. Why should I be buried in your Mausoleum or Columbarium?

3. Should I buy a crypt or a niche?

4. How do I purchase a burial space?

5. Who helps me with the purchase contract?

6. Why should I prearrange my burial and funerals needs?

7. Can I change my mind after signing a purchase contract?

8. Do I actually own the burial space?

9. Can I sell my burial space on the open market?

10. Is there any chance my burial space will be re-sold?

11. How do I control who will be buried in my burial space?

12. What mandatory costs are involved in purchasing and using the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

13. What optional costs can be involved in purchasing and using the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

14. Where can cremation urns be placed?

15. How many people can be buried in a single burial space?

16. Why is there a Burial Service Fee?

17. Can I arrange for a funeral service?

18. Can I disinter or disentomb my loved one for burial elsewhere?

19. Why is your Mausoleum and Columbarium below ground?

20. What size casket will fit in your crypts?

21. Is embalming required for a crypt burial?

22. What size urn will fit in your niches?

23. Can I have ashes from my loved one which are in a plain delivery container placed in an urn prior to interment?

24. How do I make a donation to the perpetual care fund of the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

25. Can I donate my burial space back to the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

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1. Who may be buried in the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

While the Mausoleum and Columbarium is owned and operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, we serve all members of the community as part of our dedicated ministry of consolation.

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2. Why should I be buried in your Mausoleum and Columbarium

Believers in Jesus Christ form a community of disciples founded on a shared faith in the Resurrection. The Mausoleum and Columbarium continue that community even in death. Here all await the Lord's call to a new life.

This is a place appropriate for prayer, visitation and remembrance. Sacred art strengthens our faith in the Resurrection. The beauty of the facility ministers comfort and peace.

Since 1972, the Mausoleum and Columbarium has been operated by the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. Our non-profit, self-sustaining operation is based on guiding principles and deeply held beliefs assuring permanence, reverence and respect for the deceased and support for the living.

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3. Should I buy a crypt or a niche?

Personal preference and family tradition guide such a choice. If you wish a space for the interment of ashes from cremation, then you would purchase a niche. If you wish space for the entombment of a casket, then you would purchase a crypt.

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4. How do I purchase a burial space?

The purchase of burial space is formalize with a contract and supporting paper work which formally defines:

  • what is purchased,
  • by whom,
  • at what exact burial location, and
  • at what cost.

Thereby, the duties, expectations and obligations of both parties are clearly defined. A down payment is required at the signing of a purchase contract.

We take only cash and checks; we do not take credit cards. We encourage complete payment at the time of signing. Purchasers can pay the balance in full within 30 days of signing with no interest or penalty.

At need purchases of burial space require payment in full before interment or entombment.

We always desire the purchaser to visit the exact location of burial space prior to signing the purchase contract.

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5. Who helps me with purchase contract?

The Director will assist you in making a purchase. After discussing your needs and understanding your preferences, the Director will complete all necessary paperwork. Please call to set an appointment with the Director to arrange for a convenient time to meet and discuss your needs.

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6. Why should I prearrange my burial and funeral needs?

Prearranging for death is not a sign of hopelessness; it is an expression of trust, faith and acceptance in the Resurrection of our Lord.

By pre-planning your funeral and burial, your wishes are made clear, only needing implementation. Advance planning is the best way to avoid heavier financial burdens later. Decisions are better made plan apart from the emotions and stress of a death. Couples, who lived for years together, should plan their burials together while is sound mind and body.

The Director will assist you and respect your preferences — personal, family, emotional, financial and spiritual. We will make a full, unhurried, in-depth disclosure, so you can make prudent and informed choices in an atmosphere free from the anguish and grief that accompanies a death.

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7. Can I change my mind after signing a purchase contract?

Yes. Within the first 30 days of a purchase of burial space, changes can be made or a full principle refund may be issued, provided no burial space has been used. After 30 days, your purchase is final.

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8. Do I actually own the burial space?

No. These are Sacred Burial Grounds. The Mausoleum and Columbarium is not divided into real estate. A purchaser is acquiring rights to burial space, assuming complete control over all immediate and future burial decisions. The space is continuously owned and maintained by the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas providing long-term stability. Contracts, supporting paperwork and policy establish ownership and control of these rights, even through changing generations of family.

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9. Can I sell my burial space on the open market?

No. The Mausoleum and Columbarium and the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas does not recognize the sale of burial rights between private parties. However, burial rights may be transferred to another person, preferably a family member, by way of our Official Transfer Agreement. This document must be signed by all parties and notarized or witnessed by cemetery personnel. An administration fee must be paid upon acceptance of the Official Transfer Agreement.

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10. Is there any chance my burial space will be re-sold?

No. The Mausoleum and Columbarium grant an owner future rights for burial. The space is never reclaimed and resold, if fully paid.

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11. How do I control who will be buried in my burial space?

The right of burial is defined in the purchase contract and can only be amended by the original owners during their lifetimes. Blood descendants cannot change the burial assignments after the owner has died unless granted by the Director.

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12. What mandatory costs are involved in purchasing and using the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

First, there is the cost for the crypt or niche. This is paid when the decision is made to purchase a crypt or niche. This crypt of niche purchase must be made in full on the first payment. Second, there is a Burial Service Fee, which covers the actual burial and the operating overhead of the Mausoleum and Columbarium. The Burial Service fee is paid at the time of the entombment. In the case of the entombment of a casket, the payment is generally made through the Funeral Home.

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13. What optional costs can be involved in purchasing and using the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

Lettering (names and dates) is included in the purchase of crypts and niches. Specialized engraving such as photographs is an optional cost.

Other optional costs include the use of Saint Nicholas Church for funeral services.

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14. Where can cremation urns be placed?

  • One cremation urn can be placed in a niche.
  • Up to six cremation urns can be placed in crypt which has been purchased as a family columbarium.
  • We do not place an urn in a crypt already occupied by a casket burial.

These placement regulations insure that cremated remains are buried or entombed in a place that provides for distinguished and adequate memorialization of the deceased.

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15. How many people can be buried in a single burial space?

The Mausoleum and Columbarium subscribes to the following general placement principles primarily to insure the distinguished and adequate memorialization of the deceased.

  • One full body burial per crypt.
  • One cremated remains per niche space.
  • Up to six cremated remains burials per crypt which has been purchased as a family columbarium.

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16. Why is there Burial Service Fee?

It is an incomplete picture to think only of the physical "opening & closing" of the crypt or niche. The Burial Service Fee covers the physical act of burial, but even more, the fee supports the expenses of preserving, operating and improving a Mausoleum and Columbarium.

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17. Can I arrange for a funeral service?

Yes. The Director can meet with you to discuss the various options and their costs. The options available include a full funeral service, an interment or entombment service, and a memorial service.

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18. Can I disinter or disentomb my loved one for burial elsewhere?

We discourage this endeavor. We believe Rest in Peace means Rest in Peace. For the disentombment of a casket this is a very difficult and very expensive endeavor. Nevertheless, we will support families that make this decision for valid reasons like keeping families together. We do everything possible to make this type of move reverent and respectful.

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19. Why is your Mausoleum and Columbarium below ground?

The designers of the Mausoleum and Columbarium felt that because this part of Texas is subjected to frequent violent weather, a below ground facility would provide a safer resting place for those loved ones residing there. If struck by a tornado, only the above ground entrance area would be exposed to the damaging winds. The crypts and niches would be safe from the ravages of the violent weather.

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20. What size casket will fit in your crypts?

Most caskets will fit in our crypts. The crypts have an inside dimension of 31-32 inches wide, 25-26 inches high, and 89-90 inches deep. When selecting your a casket, ask your Funeral Director to make sure your casket selection will fit within these dimensions.

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21. Is embalming required for a crypt burial?

Yes. The Mausoleum requires that the remains of the deceased be embalmed before placing in a crypt.

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22. What size urn will fit in your niches?

Most urns will fit in our niches. The Phase One niches (those constructed in 1972) have an inside dimension of 10 inches wide, 6 inches deep, and 10 inches tall. The Phase Two niches (those constructed in 2006) have an inside dimension of 10 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and 12 inches tall. When selecting your a urn, ask your Funeral Director to make sure your urn selection will fit within these dimensions.

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23. Can I have ashes from my loved one which are in a plain delivery container placed in an urn prior to interment?

Yes. The Director can make arrangements for the transfer of the ashes to an appropriate urn prior to interment. There is a cost for this service.

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24. How do I make a donation to the Perpetual Care Fund of the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

You can make a tax deductible contribution by making your check payable to The Mausoleum and Columbarium, and mail it to:
    The Mausoleum and Columbarium
    Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
    1630 North Garrett Avenue
    Dallas, Texas 75206-7702

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25. Can I donate my burial space back to the Mausoleum and Columbarium?

Yes. Contact the Director to make arrangements for the transfer ownership back to the Mausoleum and Columbarium. The director will provide you with a letter acknowledging your contribution which you may use for tax purposes.

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