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CostHelper > Personal Finance  > Funerals > Gravesites

Gravesites Cost


How Much Do Gravesites Cost?

 
low costPublic Cemetery: $200-$2,000+average costPrivate Cemetery: $1,000-$5,000+high costGravesite with Lawn Crypt: $2,000-$12,000+

A cemetery is land set aside for traditional in-ground burial (although some cemeteries offer other options, such as mausoleums, cremation urn burial or a scattering garden). A traditional gravesite is typically about 3'x10', to hold a single casket. Buying a gravesite (also called a cemetery plot) allows the purchaser to arrange to bury a body there, but only in accordance with the cemetery's regulations. Some cemeteries have an endowment trust fund that is set aside to provide ongoing (perpetual) maintenance; a portion of the purchase price will be put into the endowment (or there can be an additional charge for the perpetual care fund).

Typical costs:

  • A burial plot in a public cemetery averages $200-$900 (often including the one-time perpetual care endowment fee) for cemetery district residents, but costs for non-residents as much as double. Infant or baby burial plots are less expensive than those for adults, and rural cemeteries often cost less than urban ones. Prices can increase to $1,000-$2,000 and more in areas where land is at a premium. Gravesites in rural Margaretta Township[1] in Ohio are $425 for residents, $675 for non-residents and $225 for the baby section.
  • Gravesites in privately owned cemeteries start between $1,000 and $2,000; average $2,000-$3,000; and can be $3,500-$5,000 or more depending on amenities and location -- with "location" referring both to where the cemetery is located and whether the plot is in a more-desirable section within the cemetery, such as on a shaded hillside or next to a waterfall, pond or other picturesque feature. The private but nonprofit David's Cemetery[2] in Ohio charges $810-$1,040 for just the gravesite in a section allowing a flat grave marker, $1,855-$2,100 in an area allowing upright monuments and $985 in the baby section, which includes a contribution to the perpetual endowment fund.
  • A burial plot with a lawn crypt can cost $2,000-$12,000 or more. See How Much Does a Lawn Crypt Cost.
  • A cemetery plot for burying cremation ashes can be $300-$2,000, depending on whether it's a public or private cemetery. The city cemetery in Davis, CA, sells cremation burial plots for $350-$450, while in the privately owned Jefferson Memorial Cemetery[3] In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, cremation gravesites are $775-$1,732.
  • All veterans who served honorably in any branch of the United States armed forces are entitled to free burial in a national cemetery. This includes the gravesite, a grave marker, a concrete grave liner/vault, internment (opening and closing the grave) and installing the marker, but not the cost of a funeral, casket or related costs. Eligibility details are available from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Related articles: Headstones, Casket, Green Burial, Funeral Service, Funeral

What should be included:
  • A burial plot can be single (allowing for one casket at the traditional six-foot depth) or double (room for two caskets, side by side). A single site may also be double depth, meaning one casket is buried approximately seven feet deep, and a second casket is eventually buried on top of the first, at the standard six-foot depth.
  • There are four basic types of cemetery ownership: public or district cemeteries operated by a city or county; religious cemeteries owned by a specific organization such as the Catholic Church; private cemeteries owned by a company or corporation; and national or state-run veterans' cemeteries. Within that framework, cemeteries tend to be either traditional or memorial style. Traditional cemeteries have upright monuments/gravestones, and may allow private family mausoleums for above-ground burial. Memorial parks or memorial gardens usually allow only flat markers/headstones that are placed flush to the ground, making it easy to mow over them and creating a more garden-like atmosphere. Some memorial parks/gardens do allow upright monuments, but only in specific sections. WhatHappensNow.com provides a cemetery overview[4] .
Additional costs:
  • In addition to the cost of the burial plot, it can run $250-$600 for a simple flat granite grave marker or $1,000-$3,000 and up for an upright monument. See How Much Do Headstones Cost.
  • Many private cemeteries require a grave liner or burial vault to protect the casket underground, with costs starting at $400-$5,000. See How Much Do Burial Vaults Cost.
  • Internment fees (for opening and closing the grave, replacing the sod, legally required record keeping and related services) can add another $350-$900 in a public cemetery and $600-$3,000 or more in private cemeteries. In the city-run cemetery in Bloomington, MN, interment fees are $300 for an infant, $600 for a child and $750 for an adult; and at the private Jefferson Memorial Cemetery[5] in Pittsburgh, PA, internment fees vary from $1,090-$1,368 for full burial, or $215-$731 for cremation burial sites.
Discounts:
  • People who purchased gravesites in advance (usually to be buried near other family members) and then either hit financial difficulties or moved out of the area are selling their cemetery plots at discounted prices on specialized sites such as FinalArrangementsNetwork.com[6] . Before buying a "preowned" gravesite, find out how much the cemetery charges for internment and other services.
Shopping for gravesites:
  • When selecting a burial plot, ask about restrictions on the use of markers, monuments, flowers or wreaths; whether a grave liner or burial vault is required; the cost of internment; how the cemetery will be maintained in the future; and if reselling an unused plot is allowed. The people's Memorial Association in Seattle provides a checklist for cemetery plot costs.
  • Check with a local nonprofit funeral or memorial society[7] for information about nearby cemetery options.
  • The US Department of Veterans affairs lists national veterans cemeteries[8] nationwide, as well as veterans cemeteries that are state run.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Wanting to sell family plot
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Margaret La Mondo in Hayward, CA.Posted: May 3rd, 2021 03:05PM
Public or Private Cemetery: Cath.Other Features: Family plot fir 6
Last family plot in hayward,ca. In old section. Fully grown landscape.
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Two lawn crypts mausoleum
Amount: $2,700.00
Posted by: Rebecca S Luster in Fairview heights, IL.Posted: November 8th, 2018 09:11AM
Public or Private Cemetery: PublicOther Features: Burial vaults already in the ground.
A double 16x24 bronze marker goes on top of the base that measures 20x28.base is marbolized design dogwood. Site unused.will sell cheap
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St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery
Amount: $3,000.00
Posted by: Cecilia in Highland, IL.Posted: January 29th, 2017 12:01PM
Public or Private Cemetery: Catholic CemetaryOther Features:
I have four grave plots. Looking to sell two and would consider selling three, which are next to each other. Located in older area of cemetary, very close to the Cross. $3000.00 each.
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Going to sell 2 burial plots side by side in Quitman Georgia Oak Hill Cemetery
Amount: $800.00
Posted by: Daphne lentz2292518754 in Quit man, GA.Posted: October 28th, 2016 06:10AM
Public or Private Cemetery: Oak Hill CemeteryOther Features: You can contact me at 229 2518754
My Mom and Dad passed and were cremated so two side by side are available
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Olivewood Memorial Riverside. CA
Amount: $3,100.00
Posted by: W. Garcia in Riverside, CA.Posted: August 14th, 2015 07:08AM
Public or Private Cemetery: PublicOther Features: Double Depth Plot
I purchased this plot in 1998. I have since relocated out of state and would like to sell. Its located in the Grace Lawn Div 2 area near a tree, on beautiful plush green grass and is very peaceful. Not a lot of foot traffic.
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sell grave site
Amount: $2,000.00
Posted by: putter in Fresno, CA.Posted: August 4th, 2015 08:08AM
Public or Private Cemetery: publicOther Features:
3 sites next to each other
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Chicago - Irving Park - three lots
Amount: $3,000.00
Posted by: Jophn Birkle in Chicago, IL.Posted: July 5th, 2015 08:07AM
Public or Private Cemetery: PublicOther Features:
beautiful lots at the end of Irving Park on north side of Chicago. Lots are next to each other. Will not split. $3000 for all three.
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want to sell 6-8 plots in westchester, ny
Amount: $2,500.00
Posted by: Jodi in valhala, NY.Posted: March 9th, 2015 10:03AM
Public or Private Cemetery: privateOther Features:
my mom bought 8 plots 40 years ago overlooking a tree for the immediate family and our eventual spouses. Mom passed and wanted to be cremated. Family breakdown and with mom not their, I have no need for them. I am willing to sell either 4, 6 or all 8 to the right person. It is in a Jewish Cemetery. so all their rules apply.
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Mount Lawn Memorial Park North Wilkesboro, NC
Amount: $10,000.00
Posted by: Cheated and mistreated in North Wilkesboro, NC.Posted: February 3rd, 2015 08:02PM
Public or Private Cemetery: privateOther Features: Overpricing
This cemetery requires everything through them at the most Inflated prices. Purchased plots over 20 years ago and when time came to bury family late 2014, there were many "additional charges." You must allow them to do burial, provide marker or headstone, and "open and close" grave. The prices are inflated because they will not allow outside vendors, and they tack on so many fees that it is bordering criminal. They have folks in an impossible situation and nickel and dime them for everything they can get. Quite an operation going on there. Costs to bury my family member were over 10,000.00 by the time we selected a basic small headstone, and we already owned the plot!This cemetery is not in an exotic location, historic, or of the famous. The remainder of the family plots are going to be sold, if we can sell them, or just left, and we'll be buried elsewhere. Hard to justify setting these no business morals people on anyone else unless they are determine to be buried there.
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Just purchased two gravesites at Allegheny Memmorial Park in North Hills of Pittsburgh. They has a special that was 1999.00 in one section of cemetary. This included the plot, intermint, and vault.
Amount: $6,700.00
Posted by: Robert S. in Pittsburgh, PA.Posted: October 24th, 2013 08:10PM
Public or Private Cemetery: PrivateOther Features: Flat stones only
I believe got very good deal. Just purchased sites 10/21/13. Price above includes two of each plot, interment, vault and grave marker bronze and granite. Also included one extra opening. You do have to listen carefully and verify. Some bait and switch involved.
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wanting to sell plot
Amount: $500.00
Posted by: Rebecca martin in idk, LA.Posted: September 5th, 2013 01:09PM
Public or Private Cemetery: publicOther Features:
My dad baught it he passed im trying to sell it
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External Resources:
  1.  www.margarettatwp.org/cemeteries/cost.htm
  2.  www.davidscemetery.com/ServicesProductsAndPricing
  3.  www.jeffersonmemorial.biz/cremation.php
  4.  www.whathappensnow.com/articles_show.cfm?id=39&cat=6&sub=4
  5.  www.jeffersonmemorial.biz/interment.php
  6.  www.finalarrangementsnetwork.com/
  7.  www.funerals.org/affiliates-directory
  8.  www.cem.va.gov/cems/listcem.asp
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