When a loved one dies, you immediately face the task of planning the burial. Even if you choose cremation, you might still opt for a cemetery burial, making this a crucial decision.
While this may initially feel overwhelming, our simple, step-by-step planning guide will help you address the most vital aspects of the burial process.
Where to Begin
If your loved one opted for a cemetery burial—for either a body or cremated remains—you first need to find a cemetery.
Most cemeteries fall into two categories: “traditional” or “memorial gardens.” Traditional cemeteries allow you to choose more ornate headstones, monuments, and even large private or family mausoleums. In contrast, memorial gardens often restrict remembrances to flush-ground memorials. Sunset Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery offers all of these options.
Within these cemeteries, you’ll often find four types of ground plots:
- Single
- Companion
- Family, and those for
- Cremated remains
As their names suggest, single and companion plots accommodate one or two caskets, respectively. Family plots are typically small areas the cemetery dedicates 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 an above-ground columbarium. Contact us to learn more about these options.
Burials typically happen within a few days of death. So, if you haven’t pre-planned your arrangements, you must begin planning as quickly as possible. Some religions schedule burials even sooner. For example, religious Jews and Muslims traditionally inter their loved ones within 24 hours of death whenever possible.
Sunset Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery will guide you through the burial steps, including the items you’ll need to purchase immediately. These include the:
- Burial space
- Casket, and
- Vault or liner.
You can wait weeks or even months after the burial to select the memorial or monument.
Purchasing 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 space doesn’t mean you own the land—the property and related responsibilities still lie with the cemetery. When you purchase a space, you gain the authority to decide who you will inter there and the right to install a headstone or memorial on the grave.
The cost of a burial space depends on its location within the cemetery. It also depends on the type of plot and how many 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. Find out more about Sunset’s pricing options here. Before securing any space, be sure to check if your loved one has left a deed or other directive in their will.
You almost always save money when you purchase a burial plot in advance. If you’re considering pre-planning for yourself, request your complimentary Personal Planning Organizer here. Consider purchasing multiple spaces that your family can use in the future. This will save money and ensure you’re all interred together.
Plan your arrangements online now.
You’ll Need a Vault in Most Cases
Most cemeteries, including Sunset, require vaults, also called liners or outer burial containers. Vaults are constructed from strong, long-lasting materials such as concrete or metal. Before burial, you will place the casket in the vault or liner.
Vaults benefit you by keeping your loved one’s remains safe from the earth’s weight. As time goes on, external factors can damage unprotected caskets. Heavy rains, for example, can cause the ground to collapse. These considerations are especially important for cemeteries in low-lying areas.
Keep in mind, though, that many types of vaults exist at a variety of price points. You don’t need to opt for a higher-cost vault unless you prefer it. Most cemeteries accept simple, low-cost liners.
What to Expect During the Burial
If a burial immediately follows a funeral service, the funeral director will guide the family and other mourners to the cemetery. The procession of cars typically follows the hearse, with headlights on to indicate to other drivers that they should not interrupt the line. Some mourners may choose not to attend the burial, and that’s okay.
Cemeteries like Sunset, which have a funeral home on the premises, mean funeral processions don’t need to navigate city streets or highway traffic.
It’s also becoming more common for the cemetery service, often called the “committal” service, to occur in a cemetery chapel rather than at the graveside. Readings, eulogies, prayers, and final remarks may occur during the committal service. The advantage of the cemetery chapel service is that mourners are comfortable, regardless of the weather or ground conditions. A cemetery chapel 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 at the graveside. The casket is usually lowered into the grave immediately after the family and friends depart. Sometimes, a family member or funeral director will stay behind to witness the event.
A Burial Can Be Delayed Due to Weather
Sometimes, the ground can freeze so deeply in the winter that you cannot dig a grave on the day of the service. In some cases, heating devices are placed over the grave so that our staff are able to dig it.
When it comes to rain or snow, funeral directors and cemeteries have a variety of options in place. Some choose to distribute umbrellas to mourners, while others install temporary tents that protect both the casket and mourners from rain, snow, or heat.
Do Friends and Family Always Attend the 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 you make.
Often, families opt for a memorial service or other reception for extended family, friends, and others. Then they 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. They can then choose to attend a post-service reception to see the family. Or they can follow up with a heartfelt note or condolence in the days that follow. The elderly may also choose not to attend the burial if the grave is not easily accessible. Read our blog article here on What to Do If You Can’t Attend a Funeral.
Planning a burial in the hours that follow a loved one’s death can be challenging. Sunset can help you navigate the process.
Sunset Blog Contributors
Sunset Funeral Home, Cremation Center & Cemetery in Evansville can help you through every step of the end-of-life process. Contact us for more information about cremation, funeral home, or cemetery services in Evansville, Indiana.
