Making final resting place decisions can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never gone through the process before. Understanding the available options — and what to expect when purchasing cemetery property — can help you approach this important step with clarity and peace of mind.
Below is a simple, honest overview of the most common types of cemetery property and what each offers.
In-Ground Burial (Single Depth)
A single-depth burial space is the most traditional type of cemetery property. It is designed for one individual, with a casket placed in a single plot of ground.
- Typical Features: Individual headstone or shared monument or flush marker, perpetual care of the grounds, and an option to preselect your location.
- Why Families Choose It: Simplicity, tradition, and the ability to personalize the space with custom memorials or markers.
- What to Expect: Prices vary depending on location, section, and cemetery type (municipal vs. private). Additional costs may include an opening and closing fee and a burial vault requirement.
- Considerations: Although an additional fee may apply, many cemeteries will allow you to place at least one cremation into the plot along with the full burial. This will vary amongst cemeteries, and it is important to ask for the rules regarding such when purchasing.
In-Ground Burial (Double Depth)
A double-depth grave allows two caskets to be placed in the same space — one above the other.
- Typical Use: Most often chosen by couples or family members who wish to be together in the same location.
- Benefits: Saves space, can be more affordable than purchasing two side-by-side plots, and maintains closeness between loved ones.
- Considerations: Some cemeteries have specific sections for double-depth interments, and policies on headstone size and design may differ and the opening charge for the first (deepest) may be higher.
Cremation Options: Niches and In-Ground Burial
As cremation continues to rise in popularity, families have more ways than ever to memorialize loved ones permanently within a cemetery setting.
Columbarium Niches
A niche is a small, above-ground space — typically within a columbarium, a structure designed to hold cremated remains.
- Appearance: Niches are often enclosed with granite fronts and may include inscriptions, photos, or small mementos.
- Why Choose a Niche: Offers a permanent, protected memorial location that family and friends can visit year-round. An alternative option to inground cremation burial.
Considerations:
- Pricing: Niches are commonly a more expensive option due to the cost of construction. Although more expensive, inscriptions on a niche will typically be less expensive than purchasing a memorial for an inground cremation plot.
- Inscriptions: Niche engraving and memorialization rules will vary widely with some cemeteries only allowing names and dates and others allowing more intricate engravings, photos and a space for mementos. It is important to ask your cemetery for their rules regarding this.
In-Ground Cremation Burial
For those who prefer a more traditional style, many cemeteries now offer cremation plots for urn burial.
- Features: Small, individual spaces that can accommodate one or more urns, often with flat markers or upright monuments.
- Advantages: Maintains the traditional look of a cemetery while offering a lower-cost and smaller-footprint alternative to full casket burial.
Considerations
- Memorialization: Be sure to ask what type of memorialization will be allowed as many cemeteries may only allow flush markers.
- Added Costs: Some cemeteries may require cremation urns to be placed into protective vaults. Be sure to ask for the cemetery’s specific requirements to ensure you don’t encounter hidden costs.
Mausoleum Crypts
A mausoleum is an above-ground structure designed to entomb caskets or cremation urns.
- Private Mausoleums: Built for families or individuals seeking a dedicated space.
- Community Mausoleums: Shared structures within a cemetery offering single or companion crypts.
- Benefits: Provides a clean, dry, and elegant resting place; eliminates the need for a vault; and allows year-round visitation indoors.
Considerations
- Cost: Mausoleum costs will be exponentially higher than any other cemetery options mainly due to the construction of the building along with ongoing maintenance.
- Memorialization: Regulations on crypt inscriptions will commonly only allow for a name and dates. Most cemeteries will not allow mementos to be left in order to retain an elegant atmosphere. Be sure to ask your cemetery for their specific rules.
Other Considerations
Contrary to popular belief, when you purchase a cemetery plot, in many cases, you are not purchasing the land itself, instead you are purchasing burial rights. This may also restrict reselling the plots if they are bought in advance and you decide you no longer need them. It is imperative that you check your cemetery’s rules and regulations before purchasing in order to fully understand your options.
Ask questions. At Cemetery Advisor, we do our best to help guide you along this process. It is, however, impossible to know the regulations of cemeteries across the country. Always ask questions and ensure you are comfortable before making a purchase.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing cemetery property is an act of care — for yourself and your loved ones. Whether you’re planning ahead or making an immediate decision, understanding these options allows you to make choices guided by comfort, tradition, and peace of mind. It is important to take a step back, ask plenty of questions and think about the choice that suits you and your preferences the best. Although possible, once a selection is made and interment completed, it is costly to switch to another option if you have regrets.
At Cemetery Advisor, our goal is to take the mystery out of the process and help families feel informed every step of the way. Please check out our other articles for more empowering information!