Funeral Rule - Cemetery Sites

Cemetery Sites

When selecting a cemetery site, The Funeral Rule advises consumers to considering the following: - Location of the cemetery and burial plot - Religious requirements or affiliations - Restrictions or charges associated with the outer burial container if purchased from a third-party - Types of grave markers or monuments allowed by the cemetery - Whether flowers or other remembrances may be placed on the grave - Burial plot price - Outer Burial Container requirements - Charges for opening the grave - Charges for closing the grave - Perpetual charges for maintenance and grounds keeping, which are sometimes included, but not always - If perpetual charges are not included, clarify the separate endowment care fee for maintenance and grounds keeping - If cremated remains are housed at a cemetery, clarify mausoleum or columbarium fees - Opening mausoleum or columbarium fees - Closing mausoleum or columbarium fees - Perpetual endowment charges for maintenance or other services of the mausoleum or columbarium

The Funeral Rule does not apply to cemeteries and mausoleums unless they offer both funeral goods and services.