FAQ's

The cemetery will bury the body in lots, plots or compartments including spaces for the storage of cremated remains, open and close the lot, plot or compartment, and provide vaults and markers as needed.

You must visit the cemetery to make arrangements and prepare contracts that will outline the products and services provided.

In most cases a crematorium only sells their services to a funeral director. This is not mandatory and therefore you should shop around if you are interested in purchasing directly from a crematorium.

Yes, but there are trusting requirements and cancellation provisions that will vary by cemetery. The deed for the cemetery space would normally be delivered immediately and if a purchaser changes their mind the space may be purchased back by the cemetery or must be sold privately. Markers may be manufactured at time of purchase and stored until time of need, but if the purchaser changes their mind, it could be delivered to the purchaser or to another location. Open and closing cannot be delivered until the time of need and accordingly, will only be refunded at the discretion of the cemetery owner.

Perpetual care means the preservation, improvement, embellishment, and maintenance, in perpetuity and in a proper manner of lots, plots, tombs, monuments, or enclosure, in a cemetery or of compartments in a columbarium or mausoleum.

By law, licensed cemetery owners are required to set aside money in an irrevocable trust account based on the selling price of the space. Only the interest earned by the perpetual care fund can be used for maintenance.

In addition to an application license, a cemetery operates under a set of rules and regulations which should be provided to you upon the purchase of a lot, plot, or enclosure in a columbarium or mausoleum. Alternatively, they should be available for inspection at the cemetery. These rules and regulations will provide for such matters as the mandatory use of vaults; size of graves, and hours of business. Because of continuing changes in customs, practices, economic conditions and products, cemeteries usually reserve the right to change rules and regulations from time to time, but are only permitted to do so on a go forward basis.

Vaults are not required by law, but because they keep the ground from settling after burial and make mowing and maintenance easier, cemeteries may have their own policies requiring them as set out in their Rules and Regulations.