Funeral & Burial Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can pay for a burial or funeral in advance. This is called a pre-paid burial plan or funeral plan. You can select the casket or urn, memorial or marker, etc., pay for them ahead of time, and have everything taken care of when the time eventually comes. For more information, read about how pre-paid burial plans work.

A pre-paid burial is exactly what is sounds like: It is the pre-payment of burial costs prior to one's passing. This allows you to pay today's prices, instead of years or even decades of inflation. A burial plan can include choices such as where you would like to be buried, the type of burial you want, and if you would like a funeral or ceremony to accompany the burial. In addition to a pre-paid burial plan, you can also organize and pay for a funeral in advance. For more information, visit our page What is a Pre-paid Funeral?

Yes, you can pre-pay for cremation just as you can with a traditional burial or mausoleum. There are different types of cremation services that you can pre-pay for, as well as an urn, cremation niche, scattering garden, and additional components to the service or funeral. For more information, read about available cremation services.

The price of a lawn crypt burial will depend on several factors, but in general you can expect to pay less than you would for entombment in a mausoleum. For a single crypt, expect to pay anywhere from $3,200 up to $6,000 or even $10,000 depending on location and customizations inclusive of everything. For more information, read more about lawn crypts, the cost, and available options.

Yes, natural burials are legal in all 50 states. However, some rules and regulations may differ slightly, and not all cemeteries allow for natural burials. It's best to consult with a funeral director or your desired cemetery for specific information. For more information, read about natural burials, costs, available options, and potential benefits.

Yes, you can be buried above ground, via three main options: above ground burial in a public community mausoleum, above ground burial in a lawn crypt, or above ground burial in a private mausoleum. Each will protect the remains and any visiting loved ones from weather conditions. For more information, read about the different above ground burial options, costs, and benefits to each.

Yes, you can buy an available cemetery plot at any cemetery that still has availability. You can also pre-pay for a cemetery plot now, to lock in both the current cost and to ensure your desired location within your preferred cemetery. This makes pre-purchasing a cemetery plot a smart decision, particularly if you want to ensure close proximity to family, secure adjoining plots, etc. For more information, read about cemetery plots, the cost, the benefit of pre-purchasing, and the different options available.

The average cost of a cemetery plot varies depending on the state in which you choose to be buried. To learn the average cost of a cemetery plot in your state, visit our Cemetery Burial Plots for Traditional in-Ground Burials.

A burial plan is a pre-paid, pre-arranged plan that includes your preference of:

• Burial option (above ground, in-ground, or cremation)
• Burial location
• Burial items (casket, urn, memorial, additional elements associated with burial choice)

For more information, read about burial planning, the cost savings, and the available options.

There are multiple advantages to pre-planning your burial, the most common of which are:

• Cost savings (buying at today's prices versus years of inflation)
• Reduced emotional burden on loved ones (removing the stress of trying to determine what they think you would have wanted)
• Full control of burial and legacy (tell your story your way)
• Knowing you and your family are prepared (you can find peace in knowing everything is taken care of)

For more information about the benefits of pre-planning, read the 5 Reasons for Planning Your Burial.

A funeral service is a formal event where loved ones and friends say goodbye to someone who has passed away. A funeral, unlike a wake or viewing, typically involves an actual burial.

Traditionally, the wake is a Catholic ceremony based in part on the Celtic traditions of Ireland. Those traditions dictated that family and close friends should stay awake through the night with the deceased in order to offer protection from evil spirits. Once buried, all was safe.

The Catholic notion of a wake may often include a short ceremony involving a priest. The priest may say prayers (usually the rosary) or recite some scriptures. In this stricter Catholic sense, the wake is called a "rosary."

For more information, read Wake vs. Viewing vs. Funeral.

There are six different ways you can be buried:

• In-ground burial
• Above ground burial in a community mausoleum
• Above ground burial in a lawn crypt
• Above ground burial in a private mausoleum
• Cremation (with additional options such as an urn placed in a cremation niche, or cremations scattered in a scattering garden)
• Natural burial

For more information, read about burial options and learn which option is right for you and your family.