Planning a Burial Service

How to Plan a Burial Service

What's Involved in Planning a Burial Service?

All reasons aside, let's look at what's involved in planning a burial ceremony. To ease your stress we've created a 3-step process in which you can follow to plan for a burial service without the worry of missed details. 

1. Selecting the Cemetery and Burial Property

Before starting your search for the cemetery and deciding on burial arrangements it's important to check with family members to see if the deceased already chose and purchased a burial plot or mausoleum. It's also very possible a relative has space in a family plot for the deceased. If either of these scenarios are the case it is important to obtain the documentation necessary to prove ownership of burial rights and bring them to following meetings with funeral directors. 

If there is no such pre-plan in place then it will be up to you or other family members to select a cemetery and burial property. Though information is much more accessible than say, 10 years ago, we understand that purchasing cemetery property isn't a commonly made transaction. We've provided some tips on purchasing a cemetery property below: 
  • Unlike when you purchase a house (where the structure and the land are yours to do with as you like); when you buy a cemetery property, such as a burial plot, mausoleum or columbarium niche; you are merely buying the right to inter (or bury) an individual (or individuals) in that location. The property you now have the rights over remains the property (and the responsibility) of the cemetery administration.
  • A stated portion of the money you pay for these interment rights will be contributed to an irrevocable fund used in the on-going care of the cemetery grounds.
  • The burial, as well as any future commemorative visits you make to the location will be subject to the specific by-laws as written by the cemetery administration.
  • Just like when you buy a house, the cost of burial property rights range widely in price, depending on the exact location of the plot, crypt or niche. If you have time, you can certainly find resale "deals" on cemetery property; but if you're not shopping far in advance of need, this may not be of help to you.
There are other costs involved with the burial of a loved one, such as the fees charged by the cemetery for the "opening and closing" of the site, the headstone or grave marker and its installation, and the purchase of a burial vault.

Because we have strong working relationships with local cemetery administrators, we want to help you with this part of the process. Simply call us to get started.

2. Choosing Merchandise

You'll typically read that the casket is the single most expensive purchase you'll need to make during this time. And while we can't really disagree with that statement, we will tell you that the purchase doesn't have to cost you more than you can afford. We have a wide selection of affordable caskets to choose from, and will work closely with you to keep the cost of your loved one's graveside service within your family's budget.

The cost of a casket aside, the type of casket you select will be based largely on personal preference. Would you prefer a casket of cloth, wood or metal? Metal caskets come in varying thicknesses, a wide array of materials, and many different customization or embellishment options. We don't want you to guess what's best for your situation; instead we'd like you to turn to us for assistance. We've got the experience to guide you in the selection of the most appropriate caskets for your needs.

Other merchandise to consider when planning a burial service is the vault or outer burial container. Though it is not required by law, many cemeteries will not conduct a burial without them as they help protect the integrity of a grave and even the casket inside of it. 

3. Planning the Details of the Graveside Service


The details really depend on your motives and emotional needs. If simplicity is your primary focus, then the burial service we design could look very different from one which is guided by religious doctrine.

When coming to us to start the planning process, it's best to come with some loose goals or ideas that we can use as the base of planning the service. We will then talk to you about your loved one's life, favourite past time or activities, prominent times in their career, and more to gain a bit better of an understanding of how we can represent them in their final tribute. Check out below for some graveside service ideas. 

Sources: 
  1. National Parks Service, "Burial Customs and Cemeteries in American History", accessed 2014
  2. Funerals & Flowers, "Death and Funeral Customs", 2013
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