Regardless of whether you use a Dignity Memorial cemetery provider, it’s important to select cemetery property that is right for you and your loved ones. Permanent memorialization of your life and legacy is a lasting heritage for your descendants.

A common misconception that people often have when they purchase the right of interment in a cemetery is that they have purchased the land itself, when in fact what they have really purchased is the right to be interred (also referred to as buried, entombed, enniched or placed) on or in that particular piece of property.

Most people are familiar with the concept of burial, or  “interment,”  but may not be aware of the variety of options that are often available. Many cemeteries offer one or more of the following:

• Ground Burial: burial of the casket below ground. A “vault” or “outer burial container” is required at many cemeteries.
  
• Mausoleum, or Community Mausoleum: a large building that provides above-ground entombments
  
• Private Family Mausoleum: a small structure that provides above-ground entombment of, on average, two to 12 decedents
• Companion Crypt: permits two interments or entombments side-by-side
• Private Family Estate: a small section of a cemetery, usually bordered by gates, shrubbery, or other dividers, that allow for ground burial of several members of the same family

Headstones

Some cemeteries allow upright headstones, called “monuments,” to be used with ground burials. Headstones that are flat against the ground are called “markers.” In some cemeteries, or sections of cemeteries, only flat markers are used to preserve the natural appearance of the landscape.

The Dignity Memorial network: North America’s leading funeral homes and cemeteries, united to bring you the services you need when it matters most.

Our firm does not provide cemetery services.
To locate a Dignity Memorial cemetery provider near you, click here.