How to Choose the Perfect Cemetery Plot
Who doesn’t tremble when they think of dying? In fact, according to a 2017 survey of American fears, 20.3% of Americans are terrified of dying.
Unfortunately, dying is inevitable, and thus advisable to prepare for it. Thinking about the accommodation place for you or your loved one can be emotionally taxing.
However, getting a cemetery plot before death will help reduce the stress in the already sad burial planning time after death. Additionally, it helps you pick a plot that you will be happy about years later since you are not pressured to buy it quickly.
Here are tips to help you in choosing a cemetery plot for you and your loved ones and prevent future ramifications.
Consider the Location
Before you start comparing different cemetery plots, think about your ideal location. For instance, do you expect to be buried near your home area or in another area where you have built your life?
Additionally, where exactly in the cemetery do you expect to be buried? This could be near water, under a tree, or an area accessible by car, among others. When considering the location, think about the ease of accessing the plot when visiting.
If many family members are in the same state, consider buying the burial plot in the same state to make it easy for them to visit. Moreover, ensure that you choose a location that is cost, maintenance, and geographically convenient.
Price of the Cemetery Plot
Prices of various cemetery plots vary based on the cemetery size, location, and type. Additionally, additional costs affect the overall price that you pay for the cemetery.
These additional costs include:
- Perpetual care– The price of maintaining the gravesite and cemetery grounds
- Opening and closing grave– The price of digging and closing the grave after burial
- Grave liner– Most cemeteries will need you to have an approved grave liner
- Headstones– The price of designing the headstone and placing it on the gravesite
When getting a price tag for a cemetery plot, ensure that you get a full price that includes these additional costs. If some additional costs are excluded, you may need to shop around since you can get another plot at the same price and with all additional costs included.
It is also necessary to plan your budget before you start getting different price tags.
Type of Cemetery
There are many types of cemeteries based on ownership and how the dead are handled. Based on ownership, there are religious, public, district, and national or veteran cemeteries.
Religious organizations manage religious cemeteries, and their burial ceremonies include their religious customers. Public cemeteries are run for profits and have either independent or cooperate ownership.
District cemeteries are people who lack funds for a funeral ground and are owned by counties or cities. National or veteran cemeteries are for people who served in the military.
On the other hand, a cemetery can be single-depth, which is a grave for one person. You can also choose a double-depth, especially for a married couple.
A family plot is one where you can bury several people. For instance, you can have parents and children in a family plot. Consider your needs and preferences to help you choose the perfect type of cemetery.
Rules and Regulations
Like price, different cemeteries have various rules and regulations. Most of these rules are influenced by state laws, but the cemetery may have some additional rules.
Understand each of these rules and regulations and ensure that you are comfortable following them before buying. For instance, some cemeteries may not allow floral or personal decorations.
Others may have rules regarding headstones where they only allow flat headstones and not protruding ones.
It is illegal to scatter ashes after cremating in some cemeteries, and you can only place them in the columbarium. If you are buying the cemetery plot, learn the rules governing the buying process and what happens in case you want to resell the plot.
Strive to follow such and other rules and regulations in this cemetery to avoid any unpleasant surprises now or in the future.
Talk With Your Family
The cemetery plot that you settle for is likely to affect your whole family. If you are not the one to be buried here, you will bury a loved one.
For this reason, it is unfair to start pre-planning a funeral and making all decisions regarding the purchase on your own. Instead, talk with your family and discuss your options.
Tell them what you have in mind and listen to what they think about your ideas.
Do not make any assumptions without consulting since you might be making the wrong decision.
You can also make the budget for the total amount you expect to purchase the plot together. Involving them helps them feel part of the process and accept the purchase.
Visit a Potential Plot Before Paying
It is possible to search for a perfect cemetery plot online. However, before paying, always visit the site in person.
Some photos that attracted you to settle for a cemetery plot could be strategically taken to show only the good parts.
Later on, you will feel disappointed to get to the plot and find the place looking different from what you paid for.
Therefore, schedule a visit to the location and see the place before paying. You can also bring other relatives during this visit. Ask any questions that you may have, especially regarding their rules and regulations.
This is also a good chance to request any practices you would love to do if they are not against their rules.
Are You Ready to Start Planning for the Final Resting Place?
Getting a cemetery plot before you die is a gift to your family since they have one less thing to think about when grieving.
Therefore, although it is not the most interesting thing to prepare for, brace yourself with the tips above to help you land an ideal resting place.
Connect with us for more information on choosing the perfect cemetery plot, and we shall help ease the process.
