The cost of building a new tomb has always been significant, and far out of reach for many. For those for whom the idea of a wall vault didn’t appeal could join a ‘society’ that owned a tomb for its members.

These societies had any number of themes- profession (firefighters in particular have many society tombs around the city), nationality, or club/benevolent association. As part of your dues you were eligible to be buried in the organization’s tomb.

From a practical standpoint, it was not that much different from a wall vault; your name was not engraved on the outside of your vault, and after the mandated year and a day another of your fellows could displace your coffin.

But the tombs are more elaborate and at least you could feel like your remains would spend eternity with like-minded people instead of strangers.

The Christoforo Columbo (Christopher Columbus) society tomb is one of the larger examples (complete with a lifesize model of the man on top) though, sadly, it’s gone largely to ruin now that the group is no longer active in New Orleans.