DEATH 'Tomb boom' lets departed rest in wealth

KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
People who live in luxury now can reside in wealth in death. The Wall Street Journal calls it a "tomb boom."
Cemetery owners are planning upscale mausoleums with amenities such as waterfalls, gazebos, cafes, chapels, chandeliers, art space and interactive technology. Computer chips contain photos, biographies and maybe even the voice of the deceased.
Above-ground burials are apparently on the rise, the Journal says. No one has an official count, but a Wisconsin design company figures they account for up to 30 percent of burial work the company does, an increase of 5 percent to 10 percent from a year ago. A Wisconsin cemetery says requests have tripled in three years.
It started as an effort, in part, to preserve ground space. Some cemeteries are running out of land. Also it reflects an increased interest in cremation.
The funeral industry maintains that even with frills, mausoleums can be cheaper than traditional burial, considering the costs of caskets and grave-digging.
But not necessarily. According to the Journal, the Garden Conservatory Mausoleum in the Bronx, N.Y., offers a family room for eight for $316,000.
So it turns out you can take it with you.