As prices for funerals continue to rise in 2025, one of the most overlooked costs is the burial plot itself. On average, a burial plot costs around $2,600, but that’s just the starting point. Additional costs like grave opening and closing, grave liners, headstones, and upkeep can quickly increase your total to a much higher price, sometimes even tripling the original cost.
Whether you’re planning for yourself or a loved one, knowing how much a burial plot costs and how to save can help you prepare emotionally and financially. Contact an expert at Final Expense Benefits today to get ahead of funeral planning.
Curious what burial coverage might cost you? To learn more about final expense insurance, call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725 today, or try our free funeral cost calculator to find the best coverage for your needs and budget.
What Is a Burial Plot and Why Do Costs Vary?
A burial plot isn’t a purchase of land in the traditional sense. You’re buying the exclusive right to be buried in a designated spot within a cemetery. Plot prices vary due to a number of factors, including:
Public vs. private cemetery
Urban vs. rural location
The type of plot (single, companion, family, cremation)
If you want to reserve a specific plot, especially one near loved ones, it’s best to secure it in advance. Some prepaid funeral plans allow this, but not all. Ask if the plan reserves the plot itself or if that must be handled separately.
Average Burial Plot Cost in 2025
The national average for a burial plot this year is about $2,600, but prices range widely depending on the type and location of the cemetery.
Low-end: $350 (rural, public cemeteries)
High-end: $10,000+ (urban, private cemeteries or family plots)
Remember, this doesn’t include the cost of a casket, headstone, vault, or funeral services. Your true total burial cost could be closer to $5,000–$15,000 once everything is factored in.
Now that you know the national average, let’s take a closer look at how different plot types compare.
Cost by Burial Plot Type
Here’s a breakdown of the most common burial plot types in 2025:
1
Single Burial Plot Cost
Single burial plots are often the least expensive traditional cemetery plot type. With burial services, transit, and permits included, average costs for burial plots in public cemeteries tend to be around $1,000 to $5,000. Private cemetery plot costs can be significantly higher, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
2
Companion Burial Plot Cost
Companion plots are typically offered to married couples or life-long partners. The most common companion plots are double plots with side-by-side burials. Sometimes cemeteries offer double-depth plots in which one casket is buried atop the other.
Companion burial plot costs vary depending on the cemetery and the desired type, but generally are about double the cemetery’s single burial plot prices. Average costs start around $3,000 but will likely be higher. Double-depth plot costs may be a little more because they involve a more complicated burial process.
3
Crypt & Mausoleum Burial Plot Cost
Crypts and mausoleums are small aboveground buildings that house caskets in a private, fancier setting. They usually are used to house a family’s remains. Due to the craftsmanship and artistry involved in designing crypts and mausoleums, costs are significantly higher than those of normal burial plots.
Per Nerdwallet, average mausoleum costs vary depending on the type:
- A space in a community mausoleum costs around $2,000 to $8,000.
- Private family mausoleums can cost $20,000 and up. Costs can be much higher if it’s a fully custom mausoleum.
- Mausoleums may have yearly maintenance fees.
4
Family Burial Plot Cost
Family burial plots, or estate plots, are used to bury generations of a family together. They tend to have space for at least six family members and are often sold as one large unit. These plot types start at around $20,000; prices increase if your family intends to be buried in a private cemetery.
5
Cremation Burial Plot Cost
Cremation plots cost significantly less than traditional funerals because you skip the casket burial process. If you want your ashes to be buried, average cremation burial plot costs range from $350 to $3,000.
As an alternative to burial plots, cemeteries often offer columbariums, aboveground buildings with openings that house urns.
Burial Plot Cost by State
Location often affects burial plot costs the most. Prices are generally less expensive for cemeteries in rural areas with plenty of space. Conversely, real estate in densely populated urban areas is often pricey, driving up cemetery costs.
Average Burial Plot Costs by State
Data sourced from Funeralocity.
Examples of Burial Plot Cost Per State
Here’s what to expect in these select states:
| State | Average Plot Cost |
|---|---|
|
California |
$4,000–$6,000+
|
|
Texas |
$2,000–$3,000
|
|
Florida |
$3,000–$4,000
|
|
New York |
$5,000+
|
|
Midwest States |
$800–$1,500
|
Real-Life Example:
A family in Los Angeles paid $4,500 for a private cemetery companion plot, while another family in rural Missouri purchased a similar plot for just $950. Planning early gives you more control and can lead to significant savings.
The burial plot cost is just one part of the equation; there are several other expenses families should be prepared for.
Additional Burial Plot Costs
While the burial plot itself is a major expense, there are several other costs that families often don’t anticipate. These additional fees can add thousands to your total funeral bill, so it’s helpful to plan and understand what you might face.
Headstones, Markers, and Memorial Accessories
One of the most personal, and potentially costly, burial expenses is the headstone or grave marker. These can range from a simple flat marker to a custom granite monument.
Basic headstones typically cost between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the material and design.
Upright monuments or custom-cut stones can exceed $10,000.
Add-ons like engraving, photographs, memorial plaques, or vase holders can raise the price even further.
Families also often choose accessories such as benches, statues, or personalized decor to reflect the loved one’s legacy. While meaningful, these items should be factored into your overall budget.
Gravesite Maintenance and Cemetery Permits
Many cemeteries charge additional fees to maintain the appearance and safety of the burial site over time. These are usually referred to as perpetual care or maintenance fees, and they may be:
A one-time fee, often 5% to 15% of the burial plot cost
Or a recurring annual charge, depending on the cemetery’s policies
You may also need to pay for permits, which are typically required by local municipalities to authorize a burial. These fees are relatively minor, often between $10 and $30, but they’re almost always added to the final bill by the cemetery or funeral home.
Setup Fees, Vaults, and Burial Containers
In many cemeteries, families are required to use a burial vault or grave liner. These structures protect the casket and help prevent the ground from sinking over time. They’re not always optional, and they’re rarely cheap.
Vaults and liners usually cost between $1,000 and $1,500
Setup fees for the graveside service (tent, chairs, equipment) may add $200 to $500
If the deceased needs to be transported between funeral home and cemetery, expect an additional transportation or transfer fee
These costs, while often necessary, can come as a surprise to families who haven’t planned in advance. It might sound overwhelming, but the good news is there are plenty of ways to lower your burial costs.
How to Lower Burial Plot Costs
You have a few options to lower your cemetery plot costs, but final expense insurance is typically the most reliable and cost-effective.
1
Veteran Benefits
Veterans Affairs provides full coverage for funeral plots in military cemeteries for eligible veterans and their loved ones. Veterans, spouses, and children can apply for full coverage of a burial in a military cemetery and other military funeral cost benefits.
2
Green Burials
Green burials, or eco-burials, are an economical alternative to a traditional casket burial. A tree pod burial, the most common green burial type, costs around $4,000 in total and doesn’t involve the other funeral costs you would need to pay in addition to the cost of your burial plot.
3
Prepaid Funeral Plan
Prepaid funeral plans are agreements made with a funeral home to cover all funeral costs ahead of time. They usually cost around $10,000 to $25,000.
Funeral homes determine this price by estimating the future cost of their services adjusted for inflation. They charge administration fees at the plan’s start and often charge yearly maintenance fees to hold your reservation.
Funeral homes often offer prepaid plans with payments over time, but they typically cost more than a final expense insurance plan would. Additionally, prepaid plans don’t offer the financial flexibility final expense insurance does. A prepaid plan only covers a funeral; final expense insurance can be used for any purpose.
We don’t recommend using prepaid funeral plans. Not only can they cost more than your funeral could have if you had more control, but they often offer no protection if the funeral home goes out of business.
4
Purchase a Pre-owned Burial Plot
If a prepaid burial plot owner doesn’t want their plot anymore, they can sell it. Buying a pre-owned burial plot can be a good way to find one for a significantly cheaper price. However, it can’t be considered a reliable way to reduce burial costs.
5
Final Expense Insurance
Final expense insurance is a low-cost type of whole life insurance designed to help seniors cover funerals and other end-of-life expenses. A good policy can cover the cost of your funeral, burial, and more.
How Does Final Expense Insurance Cover Burial Plot Costs?
Final expense insurance pays an agreed death benefit payout to designated beneficiaries when the policyholder dies. Typical payouts range from $5,000 to $50,000.
Payouts can be even more; in most whole life insurance policies, a portion of monthly premiums is set into an investment account to accrue interest and grow in cash value over time. Loans may be taken against this cash value over the policy’s lifetime.
Because they are intended to be used by seniors, many final expense policies don’t require undergoing a medical exam and have relaxed underwriting guidelines. This means many final expense insurance providers accept applicants who smoke or are diagnosed with a wide range of preexisting health concerns, including:
Some policies require a mandatory two-year waiting period or pay a modified death benefit, which means payouts will be reduced until the waiting period ends. Final Expense Benefits is here to help you get the best available coverage at the price you want. We can help you find a great policy, often without a waiting period.
How Much Does Final Expense Insurance Cost in 2025?
Final expense insurance costs much lower than other life insurance types. This is a major reason why we recommend it so much – you could be eligible for $10,000 of coverage (considered the benchmark for final expenses) for as little as $30 per month.
Here are sample monthly rates for a $10,000 final expense insurance policy from our top-rated providers for a non-smoking applicant with no preexisting health concerns:
| Company |
Male 50y/o |
Female 50y/o |
Male 60y/o |
Female 60y/o |
Male 70y/o |
Female 70y/o |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$34 |
$27 |
$50 |
$40 |
$70 |
$56 |
|
|
$31 |
$26 |
$43 |
$35 |
$71 |
$53 |
|
|
$31 |
$24 |
$44 |
$33 |
$75 |
$53 |
|
|
$34 |
$29 |
$45 |
$35 |
$79 |
$59 |
|
|
$33 |
$26 |
$48 |
$36 |
$82 |
$58 |
These figures are estimates only, based on a $10,000 final expense insurance policy with no applicant pre-existing conditions.
If you’re interested in these or any of our other life insurance options, call us at (866) 786-0725 to learn more. Be sure to check our free online quoting tool for personalized pricing estimates.
Final Thoughts
Burial plot costs can quickly add up, but with a little planning, you can ease the financial and emotional load for your loved ones. Whether you’re leaning toward a prepaid plan, a green burial, or final expense insurance, the most important step is making a thoughtful plan now, not later.
At Final Expense Benefits, we’re here to make that easier. We help families find affordable, reliable coverage that fits their needs, often with no medical exam required.
Call us Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET at (866) 786-0725 to learn more. Check our free online quoting tool for a personalized pricing estimate.
FAQ
How much does a burial plot cost?
On average, around $2,600 in 2025, but it can range from $350 to over $10,000.
How do I purchase a burial plot?
The best way to pre-purchase a burial plot is to contact your desired cemetery directly. If you are managing a funeral for a loved one, if you have a funeral director, they can help as well.
Can I reserve a burial plot in advance?
Yes. Many cemeteries allow you to reserve a specific plot. Some prepaid plans include this, but not all—always confirm.
Can I sell a burial plot?
Yes, but you’ll need to work with the cemetery and possibly a broker to transfer ownership.
Are burial plots tax-deductible?
Usually not, unless paid through an estate or trust. Check with a tax advisor.
What is final expense insurance?
Final expense insurance is a type of whole life insurance designed to help seniors cover end-of-life expenses like funerals and burial plot costs.
How do I get final expense insurance?
You can purchase final expense insurance directly from insurance providers, but you may not get the best coverage. Contact Final Expense Benefits and our expert agents can help connect you to the right policy for your needs at a great price. We work with over 20 of the best final expense insurance providers and are ready to help you find great coverage.
What’s included in a burial plot?
The right to be buried in that location. Headstones, vaults, and other services are often separate.
