3 Big Issues to Think about before Purchasing a Grave Plot
Few people want to think about death'especially the death of their loved ones or even their own death. While pre-planning a funeral is always a good idea so that you'll be prepared when the time comes (and it eventually comes for all of us), most people haven't given much thought to death and dying.
In these cases, unless there's an already purchased gravesite set aside for an individual or family, part of the funeral planning process will need to involve the purchase of a cemetery plot should the family of the deceased want to have the remains buried.
Grave plots can vastly range in price depending largely on the location of the plot within the cemetery and the overall pricing of the cemetery. Some cemeteries have 'first class' locations which carry a higher price. For example, plots in 'exclusive' areas of cemeteries such as scenic hilltops, near a fountain or reflecting pond, next to a sculpture garden or other similarly high-tone areas will be more expensive. On average, plots start around US$1000 though some cemeteries may offer less expensive options. As cemetery space becomes increasingly scarce, the cost of cemetery property will continue to rise.
If you think about it at in its simplest form, purchasing a grave plot is psychologically no different than buying real estate. Much as you would when buying land or a home, you'll want to shop around not only for price but to find a location that best suits your finances, your family and the person who has recently passed away.
Remember, as with all parts of funeral planning, you'll need to remind yourself of what the deceased would have wanted and what would best match the personality that he or she had in life.
While some may not have pre-planned their funeral, it's not uncommon for a plot to be bought in advance. Some families even give cemetery plots as gifts!
Before you purchase a plot consider these things:
1. You may need to consult your loved one's Last Will and Testament or go through important family papers in order to see if this is the case.
2. After all, your loved one might want to be buried but might prefer a more environmentally green burial or might not want a burial at all and would prefer to be cremated.
3. Remember, overall, purchasing a grave plot in advance will generally be advantageous both emotionally and financially should that be the route you or your loved one wishes to take. And, if there is a change of heart the plot can always be sold, and, can even prove to be a good investment yielding a nice profit.
One economic option in purchasing cemetery property is to buy a pre-owned grave. Yes, that does sound strange. But, despite the awkward name, a pre-owned grave plot isn't actually a grave that's been previously used. Instead, it's a plot that the previous owner has decided to sell because they won't no longer need or want it. For example, a family may decide to move from the area. Needless to say, they'd prefer to be buried where they've settled, and, so, they look to sell the unused plot they no longer require. This is one of the best ways to get a bargain when purchasing a plot. Most sellers only want to recover the price they paid when they initially purchased the plot. Most people would consider it distasteful to try to make a profit on a pre-owned grave plot. And, so, they'll seek to charge you what they paid. If the plot was purchased several years (or, in some cases, decades) earlier, the asking price could be quite low.
The cemetery will be able to tell you if anyone is offering a pre-owned plot for sale. Also, remember that you can do an Internet search for either pre-owned or new grave plots in your area. Many more people are finding cemetery property for sale online at very reasonable prices. Make sure that if you do purchase a plot over the Internet that you go in person ahead of the purchase to look at the property and make sure you have your legal representative make sure the purchase is legal in every way. Some services that handle the resale of cemetery plots are brokers who receive a fee or commission for the transaction just like a real estate broker buying/selling your home or lot would.
About the Author:
Hal is the author of several critically acclaimed ebooks specifically written to help people deal with end of life issues. His ebooks include topics such as: cremation, writing and delivering a eulogy, eco-friendly green funerals, funeral planning, organ donation, and buying and selling cemetery plots. To find out more about his CemeterySpot family of free services and resources, to learn more about his books, and to get a free gift, please visit: http://www.cemeteryspot.com.
