Old Kingdom mortuary complexes typically consist of five main components: (1) a valley temple; (2) a causeway; (3) a mortuary temple; (4) a cult pyramid; and (5) the main pyramid.
Sahure's is oriented on the east-west axis, and contains all of these elements.
Its 48 m (157 ft; 92 cu) tall main pyramid comprised six ascending steps of stone encased in fine white limestone, with a cult pyramid located at the south-east corner, and a mortuary temple, the standard-bearer for future variants, adjacent its east face.
These elements were connected to the valley temple, situated on Abusir lake, by a 235 m (771 ft; 448 cu) long limestone causeway.

Sahure's monument represents a milestone in the development of pyramid construction.
Except for minor deviations, the complexes of the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties were modelled after Sahure's.
The main pyramids were drastically reduced in size, and adopted simplified construction techniques.
The arrangement of the apartments of Sahure's mortuary temple became the model layout for subsequent temples of the type in the Old Kingdom.
Relief decoration advanced in wealth of subject matter and quality of workmanship and temples were outfitted with expansive storeroom complexes.

Sahure's temples and causeway are the most expertly decorated containing the most thematically diverse relief-work yet discovered from the Old Kingdom.
Across his entire complex, it is estimated that 10,000 m² (110,000 sq ft) of finely carved relief adorned the walls.
His mortuary temple alone contained 370 linear metres (1,214 linear feet) of relief decorations.
By contrast, Sneferu's mortuary temple contained 64 linear metres (210 linear feet) of relief decoration, Khufu's contained 100 linear metres (328 linear feet), and, Sahure's direct predecessor, Userkaf's contained 120 linear metres (394 linear feet).
The last king of the Old Kingdom, Pepi II's mortuary temple contained 200 linear metres (656 linear feet) of relief decoration, which indicates a decline following Sahure, as well.
Unfortunately, no more than 150 m² (1,600 sq ft) of fragmentary relief has been preserved from Sahure's temple, yet this is considered well-preserved.

The mortuary temple had also been equipped with large storeroom complexes.
Of the temple's 4,246 m² (45,700 sq ft) floorplan, 916 m² (9,860 sq ft) were reserved for storerooms, accounting for 21.6% of its total area.
This was a stark departure from the Fourth Dynasty.
The 800 m² (8,600 sq ft) temple of Sneferu's Red Pyramid at Dahshur, and 2,000 m² (22,000 sq ft) temple of Khufu's Great Pyramid had no storerooms, while the 1,265 m² (13,620 sq ft) temple of Khafre's pyramid reserved less than 200 m² (2,200 sq ft) of space for storerooms, accounting for 15.8% of its total area.
Old Kingdom mortuary complexes typically consist of five main components: (1) a valley temple; (2) a causeway; (3) a mortuary temple; (4) a cult pyramid; and (5) the main pyramid. Sahure's is oriented on the east-west axis, and contains all of these elements. Its 48 m (157 ft; 92 cu) tall main pyramid comprised six ascending steps of stone encased in fine white limestone, with a cult pyramid located at the south-east corner, and a mortuary temple, the standard-bearer for future variants, adjacent its east face. These elements were connected to the valley temple, situated on Abusir lake, by a 235 m (771 ft; 448 cu) long limestone causeway.
Sahure's monument represents a milestone in the development of pyramid construction. Except for minor deviations, the complexes of the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties were modelled after Sahure's. The main pyramids were drastically reduced in size, and adopted simplified construction techniques. The arrangement of the apartments of Sahure's mortuary temple became the model layout for subsequent temples of the type in the Old Kingdom. Relief decoration advanced in wealth of subject matter and quality of workmanship and temples were outfitted with expansive storeroom complexes.
Sahure's temples and causeway are the most expertly decorated containing the most thematically diverse relief-work yet discovered from the Old Kingdom. Across his entire complex, it is estimated that 10,000 m² (110,000 sq ft) of finely carved relief adorned the walls. His mortuary temple alone contained 370 linear metres (1,214 linear feet) of relief decorations. By contrast, Sneferu's mortuary temple contained 64 linear metres (210 linear feet) of relief decoration, Khufu's contained 100 linear metres (328 linear feet), and, Sahure's direct predecessor, Userkaf's contained 120 linear metres (394 linear feet). The last king of the Old Kingdom, Pepi II's mortuary temple contained 200 linear metres (656 linear feet) of relief decoration, which indicates a decline following Sahure, as well. Unfortunately, no more than 150 m² (1,600 sq ft) of fragmentary relief has been preserved from Sahure's temple, yet this is considered well-preserved.
The mortuary temple had also been equipped with large storeroom complexes. Of the temple's 4,246 m² (45,700 sq ft) floorplan, 916 m² (9,860 sq ft) were reserved for storerooms, accounting for 21.6% of its total area. This was a stark departure from the Fourth Dynasty. The 800 m² (8,600 sq ft) temple of Sneferu's Red Pyramid at Dahshur, and 2,000 m² (22,000 sq ft) temple of Khufu's Great Pyramid had no storerooms, while the 1,265 m² (13,620 sq ft) temple of Khafre's pyramid reserved less than 200 m² (2,200 sq ft) of space for storerooms, accounting for 15.8% of its total area.
Pyramid of Sahure