Choosing a Cemetery and Plot

 

Whether you are making burial arrangements for yourself or a loved one, choosing a cemetery and plot can be a difficult decision. If you’re planning for yourself, you may have already considered that you’d like to be buried in your home town, in a plot with other family members, etc. But what if you’re making burial plans for a loved one who passed away without making their wishes known? How do you choose the right cemetery and plot? Here are some important things to consider:

Cemetery Location

If the person who died will be buried in a cemetery, the first thing to figure out is where. Many people purchase cemetery plots while they’re alive, in which case the cemetery has already been chosen. If the person who died did not purchase or choose a cemetery plot, consider where he or she would have liked to have been buried. While many people want to be buried in the place they lived, others prefer to be buried in the place they grew up, or in the place they were born. Also, consider proximity to immediate family members, who will likely be visiting the cemetery most often.

Type of Cemetery

There are actually a number of different types of cemeteries to consider. They include:

• Public Cemeteries – These are for-profit cemeteries owned by an individual or corporation. These are the most common types of cemeteries you’ll find. Since they are for-profit businesses, it’s very easy to look up reviews on others’ experiences with the property. You can easily compare these cemeteries based on cost, location and landscape.
  
  
• Religious Cemeteries – These are non-profit cemeteries owned by churches, synagogues or mosques. These cemeteries tend to be much smaller. You may be required to be a member of the organization in order to have burial privileges.
  
  
• District or Municipal Cemeteries – These are non-profit cemeteries owned by the local government, usually a city or county. Space tends to fill up faster here as this is often where people who cannot afford burial services are laid to rest.
  
  
• National or Veterans’ Cemeteries – These non-profit cemeteries are usually reserved for military personnel, their spouses and sometimes other immediate family members. Prices will be all-inclusive (plot, open and closing of the grave, stone and maintenance) and military honors are given. Military honors include the folding and presenting of the American flag, playing “Taps” and the presence of two military personnel at the burial.
  
  
• Green Cemeteries And Home Burial – In addition to traditional cemeteries, there are a number of other options for where you can be buried, such as a “green” or “eco-friendly” cemetery or even on your own property.

Cost

When looking at different cemeteries, an important question to ask is how much the plot costs, along with any additional fees. Depending on their pricing structure, you may encounter a rate that initially seems high but includes everything – opening, closing, maintenance, etc. Or you may hear a rate that sounds like a bargain, but may not include several fees which you’ll end up paying later. There may also be a yearly groundskeeping or maintenance fee. Any cemetery you look at should be upfront about cost with you.

 

Trinity Memorial Gardens are experts in this field, so allow us to walk you through all of your cemetery questions. We’re here to help you turn this experience into an opportunity to celebrate life. However, if you still have questions, please reach out. We’re here to help.