What You Need to Know Before Buying a Burial Plot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Though cremation continues to grow in popularity nationwide, the National Funeral Directors Association projects that 40.6 percent of Americans will still decide to have a traditional burial in 2018.

From family traditions to religious beliefs, there are a variety of reasons why people choose a traditional in-ground burial. If you’ve decided that a traditional burial is right for you or a family member, here are four important questions to consider before making your purchase.

What Type of Plots are Available?

There are four types of cemetery ground plots to choose from. Your selection will depend on whether you’re purchasing for yourself or other loved ones.

• Single Plots: A single plot contains a single casket with the remains of one person. They are the most common type of cemetery plots.
• Companion Plots: Companion plots are classified as two plots that are sold together, often for a married couple. The plots are either side-by-side or double-depth plots, which are single plots in which caskets are buried on top of each other. If you’re looking for savings on your companion plot, double-depth plots tend to be more affordable because they only require one large container rather than two.
• Family Plots: Some cemeteries allow people to purchase a small, dedicated area of the cemetery for their family. Typically, with family plots you’ll find a single large headstone engraved with the family name marking the area and each family member will have smaller headstones to mark the individual grave.
• Plots for Cremated Remains: Choosing cremation does not automatically mean there isn’t going to be a burial. Cremated remains may be buried in a cemetery plot alongside buried caskets. Because cremated remains take up less space, many cemeteries allow multiple urns to be buried in a single plot.

Where Do You Want to be Buried?

There are several factors that help people choose the location of their burial plots within a cemetery, including price, family tradition and personal preference.

If your family has already pre-purchased your plot but you’d prefer to be buried in a different location, many cemeteries will allow you to sell the land back to them. However, there is no guarantee that you will receive the full purchase price.

What Type of Marker or Monument Do You Need?

Cemeteries can regulate the type of grave marker that is placed on each plot. While some allow standing headstones, others require flat plaques. Before you purchase the plot, ask to see the cemetery’s rules and regulations to ensure you’re able to have your preferred monument style.

What Factors Determine Plot Cost?

The price of your plot usually depends on the location of the plot in the cemetery, the type of plot you’ve chosen and the number of plots you buy. Typically, the more plots you purchase at one time, the more you save on the individual cost of each plot. Like any major purchase, shopping around will help you find the best available price. Planning ahead by pre-purchasing your own grave plot will allow you to find the best value without time constraints and lift some of the burden from your family.

If you’re interested in beginning the pre-planning process, you can start the process from the comfort of your home by reviewing a helpful pre-planning checklist and filling out our simple online pre-planning form. To speak with an expert funeral director about the pre-planning process, call Bevis Funeral Home at 850-386-3579.