Your Guide to Funeral Planning | 01.06.2023

Cemetery Plot Costings – Explained

Cemetery Plot Costings – Explained

Reviewed By: Scott Ginsberg

Cross Checked By: Joshua Siegel

4 min read

Cemetery plots refer to burial grounds generally adjacent to the church grounds. Just as you take time and effort to pick a house that is best suited to your needs and tastes, when purchasing a cemetery plot too, you will have to factor in the location of the cemetery, as well as headstone and space requirements. We shall shed light on the cost of a cemetery plot, as well as tips to ensure you get a fair price for the same.

What Will You Have To Pay Based On The Type Of Cemetery Plot?

Based on the type of cemetery plot opted for, the cost varies too. Listed below are the four main types of cemetery plots:

  • Single Plot: Often the most commonly opted-for cemetery plot, a single plot accommodates the mortal remains of just one person in a single casket. If you opt for a single plot in a private cemetery, it will cost you around $2,000 to $5,000. However, if you wish to opt for a single plot in a public cemetery, it will work out much cheaper, anywhere between $200 to $2,000.
  • Family Plot: Many families often opt for family plots, wherein multiple family members can be buried side-by-side. When opting for a family plot, you can choose to customize the space as per your requirements. In many cases, such plots are often inherited, formerly paid for by a grandparent or someone from your family line. However, if that isn’t the case, you can also negotiate while purchasing a family plot, as many cemeteries offer discounts when such large spaces are bought.

  • Companion Plot: Many couples these days opt for a companion plot so that after their demise, they can be buried side-by-side. If not side-by-side, you can also opt for a single plot and then ensure that the caskets are placed on top of one another. This type of burial arrangement is referred to as a double-depth plot and is often less expensive than side-by-side plots. 

    • Based on the location chosen, the cost of such plots tends to vary. Generally, double-depth plots tend to be priced midway between a single plot and a side-by-side plot.

    • Cremation Remains: If you or your family members choose to be cremated instead of being buried, there are a number of options to choose from when it comes to burying ashes. If you already have a family plot, you can opt to have your ashes interred in the family plot itself. If by chance, your family plot does not have adequate space left, certain cemeteries also allow ashes from multiple urns to be interred in a single plot. If you opt for a cremation followed by the ashes being interred, public cemeteries charge $350 to $500, while private cemeteries tend to charge $1,000 to $2,500 for the same.
    • Pet Plot: Pets are often treated as members of one’s family, and in the case of the untimely demise of your beloved pet, you’d want to offer them a dignified send-off. In certain states like Virginia, Washington, Oregon, and Georgia, it is illegal to bury your pet’s remains in a cemetery meant for humans. Other states that do allow the same only allow the cremated remains of pets to be interred in cemetery plots. 

    In most other cases, you can opt to have your pet’s ashes interred in a pet cemetery or even opt for a burial. However, if you opt for burial in a pet cemetery, you will have to shell out anywhere between $400 to $600.

     

    Tips To Get A Fair Price

    To avoid getting ripped off, follow the tips mentioned below to secure a fair price:

    • Bulk Purchase of Plots: As is the case with many things in life, the larger the purchase, the more the discount. Thus, when opting to purchase a cemetery plot, if you opt to purchase a more significant number of plots, as in the case of a family plot, you will stand to gain from a more substantial discount.
    • Purchase Everything in Advance: To beat inflation, as soon as you find a cemetery plot of your liking, pay the deposit, and make the purchase. If purchasing the same from a funeral home, you may also have the option to pre-pay for the same.
    • Opting For a Natural Burial: Green burials are a trend these days and can prove to be cost-effective and beneficial to the environment. In addition to this, opting for a biodegradable casket can also be more cost-effective than opting for a traditional casket.

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    Elizabeth Siegel

    Elizabeth Siegel Elizabeth Siegel

    Elizabeth Siegel

    About Liz

    Liz Siegel’s career has been focused on products consumers need at the beginning and the end of life. A former attorney, Liz has founded multiple DTC companies including The Seattle Baby Company and Harbor Caskets.

    She helped co-found Titan Casket as President and has scaled Titan’s operations and customer service teams to an unbeatable on-time delivery rate and over 350 5-star reviews. Her interest in DTC funerals is to offer a better and kinder way to help families through a difficult time. As Titan Casket’s “secret weapon” on customer service and operations, Liz loves to help people navigate this complex process and to help them feel confident in their decisions, while saving a significant amount of money.

    Liz is based in Seattle. She has a BA from Colgate University in New York and a JD from Cardozo Law School.