ObituariesHelp.org
An informative and respected website designed to offer
resources for obituaries, funerals and genealogy search

Choosing a Cemetery

Choosing a cemetery is not always easy. You have to factor in things like cost, location, ambiance, burial choices, and religious preferences. If you are in need of a cemetery and don't know where to start, why not start with the initial factors and narrow it down from there. It can make the selection process easier and much faster, giving you clarity when it comes to actually making the final selection.

Choosing a Cemetery by Religious Preference

Choosing a cemetery based on religious preference can be one of the easier ways to go about the process. For instance, if your loved one was Catholic, it narrows down your choices dramatically. You know going into the process that any non Catholic cemeteries will simply be off the list.

When you have a religious preference you often also have a church preference. Even if someone wasn't devoutly attending services it is not uncommon to know which particular churches suited the basic beliefs of the deceased.

FUNERAL PLANNING GUIDE: What everyone needs to know about funeral arrangements. This complete guide to saving money on funeral expenses is available for instant PDF download with a bonus funeral planning checklist.

Most of the cemeteries that are based on religious affiliation have numerous burial options and can be about moderate when it comes to cost. For the most part, this is one of the most preferred options for all kinds of people. However, if religious cemeteries are not on your list, then you might want to choose by different criteria.

Choosing a Cemetery by Cost

Cost can be a huge factor in choosing a cemetery. In reality, cost is one of the largest factors because it's the one factor that you have little to no control over. While you can choose religious affiliation, public, private, cremation, and traditional burials, you can't select how much the fees will come to.

Ask around. If you have limited funds you will want to gravitate toward the public or religious cemeteries and you may want to consider the benefits of cremation. Paying for services is something that is often done from the life insurance policy, but not everyone who passes away has life insurance. If you need to make payment arrangements or discuss the overall financial aspects, it's often good to bring a family member or trusted friend with you in order to make sure that you don't misinterpret the charges.

In a state of grief it can be easy to make decisions you wouldn't otherwise make. You also might not be thinking as clearly as you normally would. Having a friend or family member with you can help you reach a fair and reasonable agreement without. If you are unable to negotiate the costs alone, you simply shouldn't be doing it.

For some people, cost is not a factor and they can afford to bury their loved ones in any fashion that they see fit. Don't forget that different types of plots will have a different charge. If you need to save money but provide a burial arrangement that you can feel good about, ask about alternative options.

Choosing a Cemetery by Burial Option

There are many different types of burial options that can help you send your loved one into a final resting place. Of these many know about cremation and traditional burial. You can also have them entombed in a lawn crypt, their ashes interned in columbarium niche, and you can even have a grave shared with your loved ones.

By choosing the burial option that suits you and your family best you can have a strong sense of peace regarding the final internment of the remains of the deceased. It's often one of the few topics of discussion when planning a funeral unless you're already aware that there are numerous options for burial.

Whenever you speak to a professional about the possibility of laying your loved one to rest, ask about what options they have and what the benefits of these options might be. If you don't ask the question you might not be aware of a specific option that would be suitable and fit into the plans and beliefs that you and your loved one shared.

Choosing a Cemetery by Location

For some, location is everything. If you're choosing a cemetery by location you probably are looking at the close proximity the plot will be to your home. This is very common, especially among spousal relationships who have been together for a number of years.

If visiting the grave site often is going to be vital to you then location matters much. While the basic ability to visit a loved one's final resting place is always a consideration, it's still often best to ensure that the other aspects of the selection process are met as well.

Choosing a Cemetery by Ambiance

Ambiance is also an important aspect of choosing a cemetery. The look, the feel, and the overall sense of peace of a cemetery is one of the considerations that you will probably want to have in place when making your selection. How does the cemetery look? Is it clean? Is it well kept? It's hard to justify paying for upkeep services when the grounds are littered or the grass in certain areas is completely overgrown.

You will want to feel calm and peaceful when you're on the grounds. If you don't have a good feeling about the ambiance, you will not find the same depth of peace when your loved one is in their final resting place. In some cases, the ambiance can actually prevent you from visiting.

Weighing All of the Factors

Choosing a cemetery by combining all of the various factors that are presented to you might mean you end up making a few compromises to get the most of what you want. Sometimes we can't get everything we want but we can usually find almost all of what we want. When you look at the various cemetery options that are available to you the potential for making decisions based on the combined factors is high. Simply make the best decision that you can and never be afraid to ask a lot of questions until you're sure of your final decision.

* Choosing a cemetery involves weighing all the various factors that are important to you in making the final decision regarding a loved one's resting place.

comments powered by Disqus