While there are various styles of mausoleums on the market today, the primary materials used are almost always concrete, granite, marble, brick, or cinder block. In many cases a mausoleum is constructed using a combination of two or more of these materials. To build a FORTRESS, we use a high-strength architectural concrete, often called Cast Stone. We produce every panel ourself using steel forms and our mixing and vibration system. The cast stone is mixed, placed in a form along with steel reinforcement, and then vibrated to remove air. Stainless steel weld plates are embedded during the finishing process for later assembly. The panel is removed from the form the following day and pressure-washed to produce the exposed-aggregate finish.
The panels are fastened to one another in much the same way as a marble or granite mausoleum. However, instead of using epoxy, we weld - using all stainless steel. Our materials and construction methods are the same used throughout the world in the construction of skyscrapers, bridges, museums, and the like. This is a time-proven technology that is employed when longevity and dependability are key factors. The selection of an architectural-grade exposed-aggregate finish provides each FORTRESS with enduring beauty.
We have manufactured our products on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1997, and our products are regularly tested by hurricanes. We have installed over 100 FORTRESS mausoleums along the coast, all of which are still standing, undamaged. In fact, The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) contracted with us to provide replacements for several mausoleums (built by others) that were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in nearby D'Ibverville, MS where we had several FORTRESSES in the same cemetery that were absolutely unharmed by the hurricane.