Burial Services

The first cost to consider is the purchase price of the burial plot, which represents the right of interment rather than ownership of the land itself. Unlike a real estate transaction—where both the land and structures are purchased—cemetery property grants only the right to use a designated space for burial.

Additional cemetery fees typically include charges for the opening and closing of the grave, as well as administrative fees related to required permits and the maintenance of cemetery records. There may also be fees for the use of specialized equipment, such as a casket-lowering device, along with costs for any additional services or items selected.

Other expenses may include the installation of a headstone or grave marker and a one-time perpetual care (also referred to as endowment care) fee. This fee is designated to help ensure the ongoing care and maintenance of your loved one’s burial site.

This is a question we are often asked. Many funeral homes recommend—and in some cases require—embalming when a viewing or visitation is planned. This is done to help ensure the experience is as comforting as possible for those in attendance, as proper embalming can enhance the appearance of the deceased.

However, as a general guideline, embalming is not legally required if final arrangements take place within a relatively short period of time. Requirements may vary by state or local jurisdiction, so we encourage you to contact us for specific regulations and to discuss the options that are most appropriate for your situation.

The Federal Trade Commission reports that the average cost of a casket is approximately $2,000. If you have concerns regarding casket pricing, we encourage you to speak with your funeral director, who can guide you in selecting an option that is both appropriate for your needs and respectful of your budget.

Today’s modern cemeteries are carefully maintained, featuring expansive, well-groomed grounds and open green spaces. Burial vaults help preserve this appearance by preventing the settling of graves, ensuring the landscape remains even and undisturbed. While a burial vault also provides additional protection for the casket, its primary purpose is to maintain the integrity and beauty of the cemetery environment.

If your loved one did not make prior burial arrangements, the first step will be selecting a cemetery and determining the specific burial location within its grounds. You will also choose an appropriate casket and burial vault, and provide the clothing you wish your loved one to wear, along with any personal or meaningful items you would like placed in the casket.

Once arrangements are finalized and payment has been made, the date and time of interment will be scheduled. At that time, the cemetery grounds staff will be responsible for the opening and closing of the grave, as well as the proper placement of the casket within the burial vault.

The cemetery will place a temporary identification marker at your loved one’s grave; however, this marker is intended only as a placeholder until a permanent headstone or grave marker is installed. Without a permanent marker, the burial site may eventually appear unmarked once the temporary identification becomes illegible or is removed.

We, along with the cemetery where your loved one will be interred, maintain strong working relationships with trusted monument companies. When you are ready to select a granite headstone or bronze grave marker, we will work together to coordinate its design, manufacture, and placement. Please speak with your funeral director for additional details and guidance.

When arrangements are made for a direct burial, the interment is expedited without a formal funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life. In these circumstances, we provide the necessary care of the deceased, which may include embalming when appropriate, as well as dressing and casketing. The casket is then escorted to the cemetery for immediate burial.

It can be difficult to determine the most appropriate option without first having the opportunity to speak with you. Direct burial is often well suited when there are few mourners or when a loved one has expressed a preference for a simple, uncomplicated interment. This option is carried out promptly and professionally, without a formal ceremony.

Whether direct burial is the right choice depends entirely on your circumstances and wishes. We encourage you to speak with a funeral professional to discuss this option further and determine whether it is the most appropriate course of action for you and your family.

Your funeral director will complete and file the death certificate, obtain signatures for any required permits or authorizations, and assist you in selecting a cemetery for interment, as well as an appropriate casket and burial vault. He or she will also oversee the physical care of the deceased, including dressing the individual in clothing you provide (or that may be purchased through our funeral home), casketing, and arranging escort to the cemetery for immediate burial. The funeral director will be present to witness the interment and will provide you with copies of all relevant documentation for your records.

Rather than holding a service in a church or funeral home chapel and then proceeding to the cemetery for burial, some families choose to gather exclusively at the cemetery. There, a clergy member or celebrant leads a prepared ceremony, allowing those in attendance to witness the in-ground committal of their loved one’s casket. If a graveside service is of interest to you, we encourage you to speak with your funeral director to explore the available options.

Some of the things you'll discuss with your funeral director involve purchases made from outside vendors, and you will be asked to pay for those items at the time of the arrangement conference.  One of the most common is the fee charged by a newspaper to print your loved one's obituary. Another cash advance charge could be for clergy or musician's fees, floral arrangements, reception necessities, such as food/beverage or facility rental. Your funeral director will provide you with a detailed invoice for all cash advance items.

The exact answer depends largely on the services, merchandise, and cemetery selected. As a general guideline, payment is typically expected at the time the service contract is signed—usually during the arrangement conference or shortly thereafter. We encourage you to speak with your funeral director for specific details and to discuss any questions you may have regarding payment.

The answer to this question often depends on personal preference. Some families choose to ask a close friend or family member to write the obituary, while others prefer to write it themselves. You may also wish to entrust this responsibility to your funeral director. With experience in obituary writing, your funeral director is well prepared to assist and would be pleased to help craft a thoughtful and appropriate obituary on your behalf.