Funeral Planning: Choosing the Right Cemetery

When a loved one dies, it is often disconcerting and difficult for the family members. While experiencing grief, the family needs to deal with planning for the funeral, that is why, funeral pre-planning is a good idea.

Pre-planning your funeral means giving your loved ones the security and peace when the time comes for you to leave them. It will help spare your family from added emotional stress. It will also help your loved ones understand your wishes and will spare them from making difficult decisions.

Planning for a funeral starts with choosing the right funeral and memorial service option. A funeral home where the Vigil will be held must be taken into consideration. Informing distant relatives and friends through obituaries must also be planned carefully. Aside from planning to write a good obituary, a moving eulogy must also need to be written. Other considerations are choosing between a regular burial and a cremation, choosing the right cemetery and planning for after-funeral details.

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How to choose a cemetery

Searching for the final resting place involves financial considerations. A cemetery plot needs to be secured whether you are planning for a burial or a cremation. Other things to consider are location and accessibility of the cemetery, religion, aesthetics and military service.

Types of Cemeteries

• District cemeteries
  District cemeteries are owned by th e City or county.
• Religious cemeteries
  Religious cemeteries are owned by a specific religious organization. Only deceased members belonging to that particular organization
• Private cemeteries
  Private cemeteries are owned by a specific individual or cemeteries not owned by the government.
• Veterans cemeteries
  Veteran cemeteries are usually national cemeteries exclusive for war Veterans, military personnel and their families.

Types of Cemetery Plots

• Traditional in-ground burial plots
• Lawn crypts
  Crypts are underground tombs reinforced by steel and concrete. It is sometimes referred to as "in-ground mausoleums".
• Columbian Niche
  A niche is a space use to store for cremated remains.
• Mausoleum
  Any free-standing structure above the ground used for interment of human remains is called a mausoleum.

Cemetery Cost

• Space
  This refers to the actual burial site or type of cemetery plot.

• Grave liner or burial vault
  A grave liner or burial vault is placed around the casket to prevent the ground from settling in. Although this is required by law, it is required by most cemeteries
• Opening and closing costs
  All services related to the burial or interment is part of the opening and closing cost. It includes the cost of opening and closing the grave, permanent record keeping, burial permit, maintenance of all legal files, and installation and removal of the lowering device.
• Perpetual Care
  Maintenance of the grave is usually part of the purchase price, but be sure to ask for clarifications. Some plans to do not include maintenance costs.
• Headstone
  Any marker placed at the grave site and is usually engraved with an epitaph. Take note that some cemeteries have specifications for the acceptable size and shape of headstones.

Resources

• Mahalo: How to choose a cemetery
• Convenient pre-purchase: Funeral Pre-planning