Understanding Cemetery Fees and Services

There are many different cemetery fees and services that can add quite the total to your bill. If you aren't aware of all the different charges that you're facing, your funeral service fees can easily run out of control and end up costing much more than you had planned on. It's best to get a detailed description of the services that you're using and a final bill before you sign any kind of agreement. This way you will be sure about how much you owe, why, and what to expect during the service.

Cemetery Fees and Services

Cemetery fees and services vary from one cemetery to the next. Not all charge the same price for the same service and not all charge for every service. For example, there are no burial fees for military honors services if you're using a military graveyard. However, the exact same services would be charged individually at another cemetery.

In order to understand what it is that you're paying for, always get an itemized list that includes the service that is to be provided and the fee for providing said service. Signing any kind of contract before you are well aware of exactly what you're being charged is the fastest way to end up in significant debt. You want to understand what you should be charged for according to the industry standards and what you are actually being charged for before you agree to pay the fees.

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Opening and Closing Cemetery Fees and Services

One of the cemetery fees and services that you may not expect is a charge for opening the grave and closing the grave. This is an industry standard. The costs will vary depending on the type of cemetery you choose and the general region in which the deceased lived. The fees are often accompanied by additional fees from the church or cemetery staff if you opt for a graveside service as well as a church service.

Grave Liner and Burial Vault Fees

Additionally, if you're having a traditional burial you will see a charge for a grave liner. This is not mandated by law but it usually mandated by the individual cemeteries as part of a burial service. The job of the grave liner or the burial vault is to ensure that the ground surrounding the grave is well stabilized and reinforced. That way once the burial in complete the ground will not settle, cave, or sink.

Long Term Grave Care

Another of the cemetery fees and services that you will probably see is one for long term care or perpetual care of the grave site. This is usually a fund that is set up like an endowment to ensure that the grave site if taken care of. This can include everything from general maintenance like lawn mowing to flower disposal. In some cemeteries, you can elect to have flowers planted and maintained by the staff throughout the year.

Other common services of this type of service include things such as making sure the records are kept up to date and archived, making sure a burial permit is acquired prior to burial, maintaining any legal files necessary in relation to the burial, and the initial installing, use of, and removal of the secure device that is used when lowering a casket into the ground.

Headstone Fees

Many people buy their headstones or grave markers through a monument specialty store, although in many cases the arrangements can be made through the funeral director. One of the cemetery fees and services associated with the headstone is the billing for placing it at the head of the grave before burial. This is usually done prior to any graveside services that might take place.

Interning Cremains

Interning cremains also comes with cemetery fees and services. Of these you'll find opening and placing the urn inside the columbarium niche and closing the door listed. This is a similar charge to opening and closing the grave. It is not unusual for many people to opt for this to be done after the mourners have left the service to reduce the charge, as it is often a bit more expensive to have it done during the service. This charge can vary greatly between cemeteries.

Additional Fees

Depending on any alternative means of burial, types of plots used, or any special requests that you may have there may be other cemetery fees and services that are optional for the service you would like presented. If you are unsure about the potential cost of a particular service, get it in writing. You may find that there are services presented by one cemetery that aren't presented by another. Depending on your budget and preferences, this could be valuable information for you when making a decision about which cemetery you would prefer.

* Cemetery fees and services are often based on an industry standard but can still vary from one cemetery to another. Knowing what services you're paying for helps to keep the final cost under control and alleviates the potential for confusion.