Talk:Tomb

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From the article, I find it difficult to distinguish between a mausoleum and a tomb. Any editors want to take this one up? Rklawton 00:02, 21 October 2006 (UTC)

I can try and edit them so that the distinction is clearer. I certainly wouldn't want them to merge. Tomb is a very broad term. Mausoleum is quite specific. Verica Atrebatum 08:23, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Having re-read the two articles in question, there either seems to be some current misuse of the terms or the terms can be used somewhat interchangeably in, I assume, the US. Brief research has confirmed my own view that a mausoleum is a type of tomb (in its broadest sense) which includes a free-standing building as well as the tomb itself (which strictly-speaking is the place of burial/interment). I cannot really comment on the 'Crypt Mausoleum' at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, although the description suggests it is what we would call a 'burial vault' in the UK. I get the impression that burial vaults don't really exist in the US. Perhaps that is why the Los Angeles example, being unusual, is called a mausoleum. Does this help or just confuse still further? Verica Atrebatum 10:49, 6 December 2006 (UTC)