Mausoleums, in general, tend to be beautiful buildings, standing as majestic monuments to the loved ones who are encoffined in them. These decorated architectures, frequently decorated with bronze and gold accents, marble columns and stained glass windows, are designed and assembled to reflect a sense of dignity, serenity, and peace. There are two common challenges with many mausoleums, however, which, unfortunately, distract from the serene and peaceful impression from the families of the entombed, and make a mockery of the deceased bodies. These two problems are mausoleum odors and coffin, or phorid flies.

Mausoleum smells are from the decomposition process, which occurs naturally as the body passes through the decaying process. Morticians generally term the offending bodies, "leakers". These mausoleum odors can be extraordinarily overwhelming, and as a result of the embalming chemicals and the fumes coming the result of decomposition, they can also pose a health hazard to workers and visitors.

The second challenging problem that is commonplace for many mausoleums is the phorid or coffin fly. These terrible pests are about one fourth the size of the typical house fly, and when they are in the larval stage of growth, coffin flies feed on the decomposing bodies in the crypt spaces. When they emerge from the casket as adult flies, they also create a dreadful risk in spreading sickness when they land. Frequently, they are looking for water, and it is quite typical for them to fly into the eyes, nose and mouths of visitors or employees in the building. The flies are so small that a lot of people mistake them as gnats, and insiders in the mausoleum industry do not like visitors to learn the truth about exactly where the flies are coming from.

Here is what one visitor to a mausoleum in Glendale, California had to say, "Possibly the most shocking of all is the Mausoleum. I stepped inside and knew immediately something was wrong. There the temperature inside the complex was around 80 degrees. I heard what sounded like insects swarming in one of the walls… many of the vaults have had leakage problems where they have sealed them with shower caulk. As I scanned the flashlight around the room, I saw horrible … damage. There was a discolored substance that ran from the marble plates down to the floor."

Luckily, you can find remedies to battle both mausoleum odors and coffin flies. For decades, many inside the industry have tried to use deodorizing sprays, chemical pest control, fly papers, and large fans to cover the smells and to try to manage the phorid fly infestations. These sprays and chemicals, etc. have disappointed mausoleum caretakers and other workers, simply because they are mostly inadequate, plus, they develop into a health risk in the structure, producing a noxious condition that is toxic to workers and guests as well. A different remedy is an electronic device that mausoleums utilize to neutralize smells and to keep control of the coffin flies, which from industry claims, is likely to make the job less difficult for the mausoleum proprietors and staff because it is successful at controlling the flies and will fully get rid of odors on a nightly basis while the building is empty. Utilizing the electronic method, there is additionally the security in knowing that there aren't hazardous toxic compounds being spread through the building, which tends to make for a "green" remedy which is a lot healthier for staff and visitors.

Please help to safeguard the dignity, peace and serenity for the dearly departed and for their families, and help to keep these beautiful buildings as the memorials that they were created to be. We grieve at the losing of a loved one; there is no good reason to have to perpetually suffer when paying respects. If you're in a mausoleum and you see the small coffin flies or if you detect any foul odors, as soon as possible register a written complaint with the mausoleum owner and with the Funeral Consumers Alliance,or in the case of a Catholic cemetery, to the church, or the office of the local bishop.