A final resting place is an important part of the grief journey for many who lose family members or loved ones. Having a physical location to visit can be extremely meaningful to the bereaved and to future generations.
Whether you or a loved one chooses to be cremated or laid to rest in a casket, you’ll need to purchase a plot to have your final resting place in a cemetery.
Purchasing a cemetery plot, or grave, is also known as the “right of internment.” While it’s true that this purchase represents a physical space, funerals.org makes an important distinction: “When you ‘buy a grave,’ you haven’t actually bought a piece of property like the land your house sits on. You’ve bought the right to be buried in a particular space (whether that’s a full-body grave, a small space for ashes, or a slot in a mausoleum).”
If you’re interested in purchasing a cemetery plot, start by gathering some important information before talking to any particular cemetery.
Know These 3 Things Before You Buy a Cemetery Plot
Buying a cemetery plot requires a bit of thought beforehand. Once you’ve reflected on these questions, you’ll be more prepared to contact providers.
1. What is the budget?
The plot itself is only one part of cemetery costs, and you should be prepared to also pay for a vault or grave liner, the cost of excavating and filling the grave, and any other fees. According to BurialPlanning.com, the average Ohio burial plot costs about $1,200. This can vary drastically from one cemetery to another. Know your budget and research the costs involved before you start looking for cemetery plots. Contact us to learn what different cemeteries cost across Northeast Ohio. You may be surprised at how prices differ from one cemetery to another. We can help connect you with honest information for other areas across the country.
2. What type of plot do you need?
The plot type depends on a few factors, such as whether the person is buried in a casket or an urn, and if it will be for one or multiple people. There is a range of different cemetery plots you can purchase, including single-depth, double-depth, family, mausoleums, columbariums, and private estates. The costs and availability of each type vary, so it’s important to understand your needs.
3. Know the regulations at your local cemeteries.
Each cemetery has varying rules and regulations for things like the type of headstones they allow. Plan ahead by asking for a list of rules and an itemized list of costs before you purchase a cemetery plot. Also, keep in mind that veterans and their spouses can usually be buried at a national cemetery for no cost.
Once you’ve planned appropriately, you’re ready to find a plot near you.
How to Find and Purchase a Cemetery Plot
A third-party vendor, such a memorial provider or funeral home, can likely give you valuable insight about cemetery options in your area. For example, your local memorial manufacturer has likely worked hand in hand with regional cemeteries for decades and understands the intricacies of each location, such as:
- Hidden costs or fees that arise during the plot selection process.
- Complicated regulations about headstones and memorials.
- Requirements and rules about plots that differ between cemeteries.
If you’re preplanning a memorial, you can use this opportunity to decide on other details of your final arrangements, too.
No matter your needs, consider that buying a cemetery plot at need instead of in advance could result in additional costs for your family that they wouldn’t otherwise incur because you have time to thoroughly research and review different locations.
Learn More About Cemetery Placement Fees and Regulations
We created the Northeast Ohio Cemetery Memorial Guide to help you navigate common fees and regulations. It includes an interactive map and list of 40+ cemeteries across the Cleveland and Youngstown area, providing the memorial regulations and fees for each place. Access it here.
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