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 * Burial, Funeral Planning, Guidelines, Resources


THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BURIALS

Reading Time: 8 minutes When a loved one dies, one of the immediate next steps
is planning the burial. Even those who opt for cremation may choose a cemetery
burial, making this a critical consideration for virtually everyone. While it
may seem overwhelming at first, with Gardens of Memory Cemetery’s simple
step-by-step planning guide, you’ll ensure you’ve addressed […]


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Reading Time: 8 minutes

When a loved one dies, one of the immediate next steps is planning the burial.
Even those who opt for cremation may choose a cemetery burial, making this a
critical consideration for virtually everyone.

While it may seem overwhelming at first, with Gardens of Memory Cemetery’s
simple step-by-step planning guide, you’ll ensure you’ve addressed the most
vital pieces of the burial process.


START HERE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CEMETERY BURIALS

If you’ve opted for a cemetery burial — with the body itself or cremated remains
— the first step is finding a cemetery. Most are classified as either
“traditional” or “memorial” gardens — the former allows more ornate headstones,
monuments and, even, large private or family mausoleums, whereas the gardens
often restrict remembrances to flush ground memorials.

Within these cemeteries, there are often four types of ground plots: single,
companion, family and those for cremated remains. As the names would suggest,
single and companion plots accommodate one or two caskets, respectively, while
family plots are typically small areas dedicated to four or more spaces. Most
cemeteries also have areas for cremated remains, whether they’re in the ground
like a traditional burial plot, in an urn garden, or in an above ground
columbarium.

Burials typically take place within a few days of death, so it’s important to
begin planning as quickly as possible. In some religions, burials are slated to
occur even sooner religious Jews and Muslims, for example, traditionally and
interred within 24 hours of death, whenever possible.

Gardens of Memory will be able to walk you through the steps for a burial,
including the items you’ll need to purchase immediately. These include the plot
itself, the casket, and a vault or liner. Selection of the memorial or monument
generally takes place in the weeks or months following the burial.


NEXT: BUYING A BURIAL SPACE

Once you’ve selected a cemetery and determined the type of plot for your loved
one, you’ll need to purchase the grave space itself. Unlike other property
purchases, buying a grave doesn’t mean you own the land — the property and
related responsibilities still lie with the cemetery itself. In this case,
buying a space means you have the authority to determine who will be interred
there, as well as the right to install a headstone or memorial on the grave.

It is almost always less expensive to purchase a burial plot in advance so,
before you secure any costly space, be sure your loved one didn’t leave a deed
or other directive in his/her will. And, likewise, if you’re in the process of
pre-planning your own burial, consider purchasing multiple spaces to be used by
your family in the future. This will not only save money but ensure you’re all
interred together when your times come.

Ultimately, the cost of a burial space is based on the location within the
cemetery, the type of plot — single, companion, family or for cremated remains —
and the number of plots you’re purchasing at the time. Keep in mind these fees
do not include the vault or liner, so be sure to budget for those key pieces.


DO I NEED TO PURCHASE A VAULT?

Although there’s been a recent push for natural, “green” burials, most
cemeteries still require vaults. Also called liners or outer burial containers,
vaults are made out of strong, long lasting materials such as concrete or metal.
Before interment, the casket will be placed in the vault or liner.

The benefit of vaults is that they keep your loved one’s remains safe from the
weight of the earth. As time goes on, unprotected caskets can disintegrate or be
destroyed by external factors —heavy rains can cause the ground to collapse, for
example. These considerations are especially important for cemeteries in low
lying areas.

Keep in mind, though, that there are many types of vaults at a variety of price
points. Unless it’s your personal preference, there’s no need to opt for a
higher cost vault — simple, low cost liners are as readily accepted at most
cemeteries as the pricier containers. The price difference, though, can be
significant: a standard liner can cost hundreds while high end vaults can cost
several thousand.


WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE ACTUAL BURIAL?

If a burial immediately follows a funeral service, the funeral director will
guide family and other mourners to the cemetery. The procession of cars
typically follows the hearse, with headlights on to indicate to other drivers
that the line should not be interrupted. Some mourners may choose not to attend
the burial, leaving close family and friends to say their final goodbye.

Increasingly, there are cemeteries that have funeral homes right on the
premises, avoiding the need for funeral processions through street or highway
traffic.

It’s also becoming more common for the cemetery service, often called the
“committal” service, to take place in a cemetery chapel rather than at the
graveside. During the committal service, there may be readings, eulogies,
prayers, and final remarks. The advantage of the cemetery chapel service is that
the mourners are in a comfortable environment, no matter what the weather or
ground conditions. A cemetery chapel generally is easily accessible for older
attendees, who may have difficulty walking across a cemetery section to the
gravesite, especially if the ground is uneven or soft from rain.

If the service or memorial occurs graveside, mourners will assemble at the
designated plot for words of committal as described above. The casket will be
set up above the grave during the graveside service. Flower arrangements or
tributes sent to the funeral home will be placed graveside. In most cases, the
casket is lowered into the grave immediately after the family and friends
depart. Sometimes a family member or funeral director wills stay behind to
witness the event.


WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD ON THE DAY OF THE BURIAL?

In some extremely cold climates, cemeteries could not actually make burials—the
ground would be frozen so deep that the grave simply could not be dug. These
cemeteries would temporarily hold the deceased’s remains. Many cemeteries
located in cold climates have invested in heating devices placed over the grave
to be used that heat the ground overnight so the grave can be dug in the
morning.. Though the costs may be higher if the ground using this method,
immediate burial enables families to grieve in the moment versus having to
relive the pain again come spring. Additionally, it eliminates the costs
associated with rehiring the funeral director at a later date and properly
storing the deceased for days, weeks, or even months after death.

When it comes to rain or snow, funeral director and cemeteries have a variety of
options in place. Some choose to distribute dark umbrellas to mourners, while
others install temporary tents — common in hot summer months as well — that
protect the casket as well as the mourners from rain or snow. Again, the
cemetery chapel service, where mourners say “goodbye” in a cemetery chapel
rather than at graveside, eliminates the issues associated with inclement
weather.


DO FRIENDS AND FAMILY ALWAYS ATTEND THE BURIAL?

Depending on the nature of the burial, not all mourners will likely attend the
actual burial. Some families opt for a private cemetery chapel service or
graveside ceremony for immediate relatives and very close friends only. If this
is the case, be sure to communicate your wishes to the funeral director and in
any announcements made. Often families opt for a memorial service or other
reception for extended family, friends, neighbors and colleagues and limit
burial attendance to just those closest to the deceased.

Even if graveside or cemetery chapel services are made public, mourners may
choose not to attend and will either see the family at a post-service reception
or will follow up with a heartfelt note or condolence in the days that follow.
The elderly or infirmed may also choose not to attend the burial, if there is a
graveside service and if the grave is not easily accessible. Unless these
circumstances apply, though, immediate family members typically attend the
funeral and follow the procession to the cemetery.

Planning a burial in the hours that follow a loved one’s death can be
challenging. If you feel the need to discuss any aspect of planning a burial,
work closely with a funeral professional and be sure to understand what’s
needed, what’s not and how to best weigh the variety of options presented.

Whether you choose traditional interment or cremation, a burial comes with
unique considerations that likely fall outside your experience. But, together,
we can navigate the hurdles and ensure that you select the right type of burial
for your loved one.

by Jaime Hollander, Gardens of Memory Contributor



“My husband and I couldn’t be happier having to pre-arrange our burial services
for the future with your staff! (Graceland) helped with my husband’s mother’s
recent burial and convinced us to pre-arrange ours.”

Diane Terry
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