As prices for funerals continue to rise in 2025, one expense that could be easily overlooked is burial plot cost. Cemetery costs vary depending on several factors, but they average around $2,600.
However, that price doesn’t include a casket, urn, headstone, or other common decorations and fees, meaning your total burial cost could be closer to $5,000. That’s a significant cost, but you can prepare for it with final expense insurance.
Below is our burial plot cost breakdown, but if you are interested in learning more about final expense insurance, call Final Expense Benefits at (866) 786-0725. Check our free online quoting tool for life insurance options and price estimates.
Burial Plot Cost by Plot Type
Average burial plot costs vary due to several factors; the type of burial plot is the most influential. Common burial plot types include single burial plots, companion burial plots, family or estate plots, and cremation plots.
Buying a burial plot doesn’t mean purchasing that land from the cemetery, but instead, the right to be buried there. You can reserve your burial plot ahead of time, but this involves a significant lump-sum cost that you may not be able to cover.
You’ll generally save if you purchase a burial plot in a public cemetery, meaning it’s open to the public for visits. Private cemeteries are usually quieter than their public counterparts, but average burial plot costs are nearly double.
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.
Below are average cemetery plot costs by state, but remember prices often vary depending on your specific location:
Average Burial Plot Costs by State
Data sourced from Funeralocity.
Additional Burial Plot Costs
Cemeteries often include necessary fees such as permit costs and grounds maintenance in burial plot bills. However, your cemetery or service may cost more due to extra fees or decorations. Some common costs to prepare for include:
- Burial Permit
Permits are often included in cemetery bills but usually cost around $10 to $30. - Opening and Closing Grave
Specialized equipment is often needed to open and close the grave and safely lower the casket. This usually costs around $200 to $500. - Headstone / Grave Marker
Costs for headstones vary depending on quality, size, and more. Average headstone costs are about $1,000 but can exceed $10,000 for a large, high-quality marker.
- Grave Liner / Vault
Vaults and grave liners aren’t always necessary, but most cemeteries require them. They cost around $1,500. - Flowers
Flowers for a burial ceremony or to adorn a gravesite cost an average of $50-$80 per arrangement. You’ll likely need several arrangements for a ceremony. - Gravesite maintenance
This is a cost that is often included with the initial burial plot cost, but often is around 5% to 15% of the plot’s cost
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.
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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.
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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?
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
They may vary due to several factors, but average burial plot costs are usually about $2,600. It’s hard to predict what yours could cost, so it’s a good idea to get ahead of those prices with a quality final expense insurance policy.
Final expense insurance can cost as little as $30 per month and can provide stability and peace of mind when addressing unpredictable end-of-life expenses. As experts in final expense insurance, Final Expense Benefits is here to help.
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?
Burial plot costs vary by type, location, and more, but generally budget at least $2,600 to cover your burial plot costs.
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.
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.
