How soon after
or long after a death must an
individual be buried?
This may vary by state so
check with your local funeral
director. Considerations include
the need to secure all permits
and authorizations, notification
of family and friends,
preparation of cemetery site and
religious considerations. Some
states have limitations on the
maximum length of time allowed
to pass prior to final
disposition. Consult your local
funeral provider for any
applicable regulations.
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Does a body
have to be embalmed before it is
buried?
No, embalming is not required
for burial. It is your choice.
It may depend on such factors as
whether the family has selected
a public viewing with an open
casket; or to enhance the
deceased's appearance for a
private family viewing; if the
body is going to be transported
by air or rail, or because of
the length of time prior to the
burial.
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What are the
principal types of cemeteries, and
how do they differ?
Cemeteries usually are
divided into two broad
categories: traditional
cemeteries and memorial parks or
gardens. A traditional cemetery,
the type used for many
generations, has upright
monuments, usually made of
stone. Many traditional
cemeteries also have private
mausoleums for above-ground
interment. Because many have
functioned in their communities
for over 100 years, traditional
cemeteries typically contain a
great deal of history, such as
architecture, statuary and other
art, as well as the personages
interred there. They often
feature lush landscaping and
impressive greenery.
Memorial parks and gardens
are a newer type of cemetery
introduced about 75 years ago.
They are cemeteries without
tombstones: parks and gardens
where bronze memorials are
placed level with the ground to
blend with the beauty of the
landscape. They often feature
expansive lawns with a variety
of trees, flowering beds and
gardens, as well as fountains,
sculpture or memorial
architecture.
Some cemeteries have both
traditional upright monument
sections and garden sections.
Both types of cemeteries may
offer above-ground interment in
community mausoleums. Both
traditional cemeteries and
memorial parks may be operated
on a for-profit or
not-for-profit basis. They may
be owned by an individual or by
a corporation. Some are owned
mutually, and many are the
property of towns, counties and
religious or fraternal groups.
Both may have chapels,
crematories, community
mausoleums, mortuaries or
funeral homes and columbariums.
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What are my
choices in ground burial?
Most common are single graves
and lots composed of two or more
graves. Not all types of graves
are available at all cemeteries.
Please check with the cemetery
of your choice for availability
of specific graves.
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How do I
choose the right type of grave?
Because it is an important
question, many things must be
considered. What type of
memorial do you prefer? A marker
set flat on the ground? An
upright monument? How many
burials do you expect to take
place? Are you arranging for
yourself or your family? How
much do you want to spend?
Answers to these types of
questions will assist you to
make the right purchase as
graves vary by size, location
and by price.
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What options
are available besides ground burial?
Besides ground burial, many
cemeteries offer interment in
lawn crypts or entombment in
mausoleums. In addition, some
cemeteries provide choices for
those who have selected
cremation. These often include
placement of cremated remains in
a niche of a columbarium or
interment in an urn space. Many
cemeteries now provide for
scattering of the remains in a
garden set aside for that
purpose, which can include a
plaque memorializing the
deceased.
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If I'm going
to be cremated, why would I want my
remains to be placed in a
columbarium or interred or scattered
at the cemetery? Why shouldn't I
just have them scattered in the sea
or in some other place of my
choosing?
As long as it is permitted by
local regulations, your cremated
remains can be scattered in a
place that is meaningful to you.
This can, however, present
difficulties for your survivors.
Some people may find it hard to
simply pour the mortal remains
of a loved one out onto the
ground or into the sea. If you
wish to be scattered somewhere,
it is therefore important to
discuss your wishes ahead of
time with the person or persons
who will actually have to do the
scattering. Another difficulty
with scattering can occur when
the remains are disposed of in
an anonymous, unmarked or public
place. Access to the area may be
restricted for some reason in
the future, undeveloped land may
be developed or any of a host of
other conditions may arise that
could make it difficult for your
survivors to visit the site to
remember you. Even if your
cremated remains are scattered
in your backyard, what happens
if your survivors relocate
sometime in the future? Once
scattered, cremated remains
cannot easily be collected back
up. Having your remains placed,
interred or scattered on a
cemetery's grounds ensures that
future generations will have a
place to go to remember. If
remains are scattered somewhere
outside the cemetery, many
cemeteries will allow you to
place a memorial of some type on
the cemetery grounds, so
survivors have a place to visit
that will always be maintained
and preserved.
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Why is having
a place to visit so important?
Because it provides a focal
point for memorializing the
deceased. To remember, and be
remembered, are natural human
needs. Throughout human history,
memorialization of the dead has
been a key component of almost
every culture. The Washington
Monument, Tomb of the Unknowns
and Vietnam "Wall" in
Washington, D.C., are examples
of memorialization which
demonstrate that, throughout our
history, we have always honored
our dead. Psychologists say that
remembrance practices, from the
funeral or memorial service to
permanent memorialization, serve
an important emotional function
for survivors by helping to
bring closure and allowing the
healing process to begin.
Providing a permanent resting
place for the deceased is a
dignified treatment for a loved
one's mortal remains, which
fulfills the natural human
desire for memorialization.
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What is opening
and closing and why is it so
expensive?
Opening and closing fees can
include 50 or more separate
services provided by the
cemetery. Typically, the opening
and closing fee includes
administration and permanent
record keeping (determining
ownership, obtaining permission
and the completion of other
documentation which may be
required, entering the interment
particulars in the interment
register, maintaining all legal
files); opening and closing the
grave (locating the grave and
laying out the boundaries,
excavating and filling the
interment space); installation
and removal of the lowering
device; placement and removal of
artificial grass dressing and
coco-matting at the grave site,
leveling, tamping, re-grading
and sodding the grave site and
leveling and re-sodding the
grave if the earth settles.
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Can we dig
our own grave to avoid the charge
for opening and closing?
The actual opening of the
grave and closing of the grave
is just one component of the
opening and closing fee. Because
of safety issues which arise
around the use of machinery on
cemetery property and the
protection of property of
adjacent interment rights
holders, the actual opening and
closing of the grave is
conducted by cemetery grounds
personnel.
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What are burial
vaults and grave liners?
These are the outside
containers into which the casket
is placed. Burial vaults are
designed to protect the casket
and may be made of a variety or
combination of materials
including concrete, stainless
steel, galvanized steel, copper,
bronze, plastic or fiberglass. A
grave liner is a lightweight
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Must I purchase
a burial vault?
In most areas of the country,
state or local law does not
require that you buy a container
to surround the casket in the
grave. However, many cemeteries
require that you have such a
container so that the ground
will not sink. Either a grave
liner or a burial vault will
satisfy these requirements.
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What happens
when a cemetery runs out of land?
When a cemetery runs out of
land, it will continue to
operate and serve the community.
Since more and more individuals
and families are purchasing
their graves in advance, graves
which have been sold will be
opened when a death occurs,
markers will be placed and other
services will be provided. Most
states have laws that require
funds to be set aside from each
sale for the long-term care and
maintenance of the cemetery. The
amount to be set aside varies
from state to state. Many states
require 10 or 15 percent of the
lot purchase price to be placed
into an endowment care fund.
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What is double
depth?
Many cemeteries either allow
for the burial of two caskets in
a grave or have specific
sections where this type of
grave is available. Double depth
just means that one casket is
placed in the grave at an
approximate depth of seven feet.
When a second interment is
required, the second casket is
placed on top of the first
casket at standard depth.
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How much do
graves cost, and why aren't they
priced the same all over?
Grave prices can really vary.
Grave prices are normally set
based on their location.
Normally, graves in urban
centers are more expensive than
in rural centers because of the
replacement value of land. In
addition, within the cemetery,
grave prices can vary by the
section in which the grave is
located. For example, graves in
a "feature" section --
where there is a central feature
such as a sculpture for the
benefit of lot owners in that
section -- may be more expensive
than in non-feature sections.
The number of interments
permitted in a grave may also
affect the price, as may the
size of the grave. Graves which
allow for a monument are more
expensive due to the space
required for the monument.
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What is entombment?
Entombment is the interment
of human remains in a tomb or
mausoleum. It involves placing a
casket or cremation urn in a
crypt or niche (individual
compartment within a mausoleum
or columbarium) which is then
sealed.
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What is a mausoleum?
Historically, the word
mausoleum comes from the large
temple-like structure which was
erected by Queen Artemisia in
the ancient city of
Harlicarnassua as the final
resting place for her late
husband, King Mausolus. Mausolus,
from which the word mausoleum is
derived, ruled over Caria in
Asia Minor and died in 353 B.C.
His mausoleum is now regarded as
the fifth of the Seven Wonders
of the World. The pyramids of
Egypt and the Taj Mahal in India
are other examples of ancient
mausolea. A community mausoleum
is simply a large building
designed to provide above-ground
entombment for a number of
people. Sharing the costs of the
mausoleum with other individuals
makes it more affordable than a
private mausoleum. Crypts are
designed to hold casketed
remains. Following a casket
entombment, the crypt is sealed,
and a granite or marble front is
attached. Niches will
accommodate urns containing
cremated remains. Following an
urn entombment, a niche front of
granite, marble, bronze, wood or
glass is attached.
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What are the advantages of a mausoleum
burial?
Mausoleum crypts are both
clean and dry. They offer a
viable alternative for those who
simply have an aversion to being
interred in the ground.
Furthermore, with the growing
shortage of available land for
cemetery use, mausolea allow for
a maximum number of entombments
in a minimum amount of space.
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Isn't it only
for rich people?
In most cases, the cost of
mausoleum entombment is
comparable to the costs of
interment in a lot with an
upright monument.
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Are there
different types of crypts?
Yes. Single crypts are
designed for one entombment
only. There are three different
kinds of double crypts: tandem
crypts permit two entombments
lengthwise in a crypt; companion
crypts permit two entombments
side-by-side; westminster crypts
permit two entombments, the
first below floor level, and the
second above it. Most mausolea
are built five, six and seven
crypts high. The price of the
crypt will depend on its
location and the type of crypt.
For example: upper level crypts
are usually less expensive than
those located at eye level.
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What is a columbarium?
A columbarium, often located
within a mausoleum or chapel, is
constructed of numerous small
compartments (niches) designed
to hold urns containing cremated
remains.
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What happens
to a mausoleum if there is an
earthquake?
Modern mausoleums are
steel-reinforced concrete
structures, covered with granite
or marble. They typically are
built to meet all local building
specifications, including those
regarding earthquakes.
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How does a
mausoleum protect the body?
Because the casket is placed
in a clean, dry, above-ground
crypt, the remains are protected
from water and the elements of
the earth.
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Can you
actually see the bodies in a
mausoleum?
No. When you visit a
mausoleum, you see the front of
the crypt, which typically is
made of granite or marble. The
name of the person who has died,
along with their years of birth
and death, appear on the crypt
front. The casket rests behind a
solid, sealed panel which is
placed behind the granite or
marble crypt front.
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How many
people will a crypt hold?
Crypts come in several sizes.
Although "singles" and
"doubles" are the most
common, some crypts can
accommodate up to four caskets.
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What is a tandem?
A tandem is a mausoleum space
designed to accommodate two
caskets lengthwise.
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How can a
mausoleum help eliminate
expenses?
When you select a mausoleum,
you eliminate the need for
expensive vaults and monuments
or memorials which almost always
are purchased with ordinary
earth burial.
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What are lawn crypts?
Lawn crypts are essentially
underground tombs, constructed
of reinforced concrete, steel
and waterproof materials.
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What is the difference between lawn
crypts and double depth burial
spaces?
Lawn crypts are pre-set.
Double depth burial lots are set
at the time of death.
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May I make
the necessary arrangements in
advance?
Yes, usually all arrangements
may be made in advance. When you
plan ahead, you will be able to
consider the many options
available. You will have the
opportunity to make an informed
decision about your funeral and
cemetery arrangements and the
form of memorial you prefer. You
will be able to make choices
that are meaningful to both you
and your family, and you will
gain peace of mind knowing your
family and friends will be
relieved of the emotional and
financial burden often
associated with making
arrangements when a death
occurs. By prearranging your
funeral and cemetery services,
you benefit by purchasing at
today's prices, free from
inflationary pressures in the
future. Be sure to check whether
the contract of your local
provider guarantees prices. Your
cemetery or funeral provider can
help you preplan.
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What happens if I buy cemetery
property here in advance and
later move to another area?
Many cemeteries now belong to
credit exchange programs which
allow for a dollar-for-dollar
transfer of services and
merchandise between
participating cemeteries. When
prearranging, be sure to ask
your local provider about
exchange privileges offered.
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When I buy a
grave do I receive a deed just like
when I purchase other types of real
estate?
When you purchase a grave you
are in fact purchasing the right
to designate who may be interred
in the space, rather than
purchasing the grave itself,
which remains the property and
responsibility of the cemetery.
You also have a right to place a
memorial where permitted.
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What is endowment
care?
A portion of the purchase
price of the grave is
contributed to an endowment care
fund. Income from the endowment
care fund is used to provide
regular care and maintenance at
the cemetery. Regular care and
maintenance activities can
include: cutting grass,
regrading of graves, planting
and caring for trees,
maintenance of water supply
systems, roads, drainage, etc.
The minimum amount to be
contributed to the endowment
care fund is normally governed
by law.
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What guarantee
do I have that Endowment Care will
take care of the cemetery?
While not guaranteed,
endowment care funds are very
conservatively managed. Income
from the fund can only be spent
on care and maintenance of the
cemetery -- the capital is not
touched. Endowment care funds
are governed by laws in most
states for consumer protection.
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Can I resell
my grave?
It really depends on the
rules and regulations of the
cemetery and the laws of the
state or province in which the
cemetery is located. While some
cemeteries will repurchase
graves, others have laws
restricting the resale to a
third party.
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Is cemetery
property tax deductible?
No, the purchase of a grave
is not tax-deductible, although
the charitable donation of
unwanted grave spaces may be
deductible as an "in
kind" charitable
contribution. Check with a
knowledgeable tax advisor for
details. Even still, the grave
is purchased in today's dollars,
free from inflationary pressures
of the future.
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Will a cemetery
ever be used for something else? Can
the bodies be moved and buildings
built?
Communities afford respect to
cemeteries and to the
memorialization which cemeteries
provide. In order to protect
interment rights holders, strict
rules govern the use of cemetery
lands. Graves are normally
considered to be sold in
perpetuity which restricts
possible re-development.
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In a hundred
years will this cemetery still be
here?
We think of cemetery lands as
being in perpetuity. There are
cemeteries throughout the world
that have been in existence well
over a hundred years.
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What is a disinterment?
What is the process, and why does it
happen?
Disinterment is the removal
of the casket containing human
remains from a grave. Laws
governing disinterment vary by
state or province. Disinterment
may be ordered by certain public
officials without the consent of
the grave owner or the next of
kin, for example, as part of a
police investigation.
Individuals or families may also
request dis-interment, if for
example they would like to have
the human remains relocated to
another grave in the cemetery,
to a mausoleum or possibly
shipped to a country of birth.
Disinterment requires the grave
to be opened. The casket
containing the human remains is
removed. Depending on the length
of time the casket has been
buried, a new casket may be
required. The grave is then
closed.
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What does the
government give a veteran in regards
to a marker?
The United States government
provides headstones and markers
for the graves of veterans and
eligible dependents anywhere in
the world which are not already
marked. Flat bronze, flat
granite, flat marble and upright
marble types are available to
mark the grave of a veteran or
dependent in the style
consistent with exiting
monuments at the place of
burial. Bronze niche markers are
also available to mark
columbaria in national
cemeteries used for internment
of cremated remains. For more
information, see the Department
of Veterans Affairs web site for
the National Cemetery System at http://www.cem.va.gov.
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If I am a veteran
and plan to be buried in a national
cemetery, is my spouse eligible to
be buried next to me?
Yes, a space for your spouse
or any other minor children can
be authorized at the time of
your death.
