Know Your Cemetery Fees

This past week, CBS2 in New York City reported on a potential case of price gouging by a cemetery. One hour prior to the funeral service's start, the funeral home received a call from the cemetery with a new price for the cemetery fees (not the grave, rather the grave opening). The price jumped from $1,100 to $3,500. A $2400 jump!

Why? President Lincoln's birthday.

Cemeteries are notorious for their overtimes and additional services fees. Funeral on a Sunday? Extra. Funeral in the afternoon? Extra. Funeral on a Sunday afternoon? Extra Squared.


What's the take home lesson from all this? Call your cemetery now!! Ask for a price sheet. Ask for all of the possible fees on all of the possible days. Sundays and Holidays. Ask them if there is an overtime charge? When does overtime begin? Get everything in writing. This way, there will be no surprises when the grave is needed.

One caveat. Cemeteries frequently change their prices. It is probably a good idea to call every year to make sure you have updated information.