What is a Private Cemetery and Who Should Use it?

A private cemetery has no religious or military affiliation and it is not owned and run by the city, state, or county. Rather, it is a private business that offers a service based on need. Often private cemeteries can be found in greater quantity in more populated areas such as large cities. Small towns often have one or possibly two, depending on the number of public cemeteries in the area.

The Advantages of Using a Private Cemetery

A private cemetery will often be a good choice for those who do not wish to buried in the religiously affiliated grounds but want the private upkeep and options that may not come with a public cemetery. Many of today's public cemeteries are becoming overcrowded and people with no religious affiliation often do not wish to be buried on church grounds. This leaves the private option if the individual does not qualify for military burial.

Some private cemeteries will offer various services like flower maintenance, allowing you to plant flowering plants graveside and have them maintained by the staff. This can be a good option for someone who needs to lay to rest a loved one but isn't inclined to visit a grave very often.

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.

The Disadvantages of Using a Private Cemetery

A private cemetery has few disadvantages. It's open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation or lack thereof. It's generally very well maintained and provides care services for your loved one's gravesite. The biggest downside is the cost of using one.

While the price range for burial can be quite different depending on where you live and the number of cemeteries in the area. Regardless of the type of service you hold during burial, the cost for a cemetery that is owned privately can add quite a bit to the overall fee. However, it's often a fee that is paid all at once from a life insurance policy. Some privately owned burial grounds will allow you to pay an annual fee for upkeep, but many still require that payment is made up front.

Finding the Right Private Cemetery

Finding the right private cemetery is often just a function of calling the locally listed ones and asking about their services and fees. You can make a decision based on whether it's close enough to you, is attractive, and can be a place where you feel your loved one will be able to rest eternally.

Most of the time you can have a strong sense of where your loved one may have preferred to be buried if there is a particularly beautiful or ornate cemetery near where you live. Often it's a place that has been noticed before, as there are many very beautiful privately owned cemeteries that look very peaceful from the outside.

Private Cemeteries and Cremation

You can just as easily use a private cemetery for the purpose of interning cremation remains of a loved one. Different cemeteries have different arrangements that can be made but often there are special crypts that are set aside just for cremation remains. There are also often plots that are available for the burial of the remains.

If you have considered using a cemetery for cremation remains you might wish to get a dual quote in order to consider the costs. You also want to ask about the accessibility of any crypts, as some privately owned cemeteries have indoor facilities as well as outdoor facilities. If being able to get to the final resting place is important to you, be sure that there is an open door policy throughout the day rather than scheduled appointments for visitation.

The Duration of a Private Cemetery

Some people have a reasonable concern that a private cemetery may not be around forever. Since it is not owned by a church or the local municipality, one may wonder if the final resting place of their loved one could be in jeopardy of being disturbed one day.

While no one can really predict the future it is safe to assume that any burial grounds will remain. There are actually laws that have been enacted to ensure that the removal of human remains from burial sites is strictly limited.

The grounds may not always be kept as nicely if serious financial troubles hit, but usually this is not a concern that can govern your thoughts because it is impossible to tell what may or may not happen in the future.

Your ultimate decision regarding your loved one's burial will have to do with his or her religious affiliation, the role religious structure played in their lives, and whether or not you find the plot to be suitable. You may wish to purchase a plot right next to a loved one, which could in fact change the options that you have.

* a private cemetery can offer excellent upkeep and services that aren't always available through other burial ground services.