As we move throughout life, we find ourselves planning for many events, such as baptisms, graduations, weddings, or vacations! However, we often forget about planning for one of the most difficult ones: our own burial.

While planning the details of your burial in advance may sound overwhelming, Catholic Cemeteries is here to answer questions and guide you through the burial pre-planning process. This can include reviewing your burial preference, selecting a burial location, and finalizing burial details.

It’s okay to have questions, let us answer them for you!

Why should I consider pre-planning and what are the benefits?

Let’s say that you are asked to plan a wedding for a loved one. You will oversee every single detail: venue, flowers, refreshments, transportation, etc. You want to help them so you ask when the wedding will be. They tell you that it will be in 3-5 days. What would your response be?

I’m assuming that most of you would say “no thank you” because you would want more time to plan. I don’t blame you, that is a lot to take on in a short amount of time! This is one reason why pre-planning your burial arrangements is important. Most of the decisions made for burials are almost as detailed as the ones made for weddings. When someone passes, the family only has around 3-5 days to make these decisions, which can be exhausting and stressful.

We understand that it is difficult to think about what you want right now, however, it is much harder for family to handle these matters after a devastating loss. Pre-planning your burial will reduce your family’s stress, provide closure, and help them begin healing.

In addition, if you haven’t pre-planned your arrangements, your family must assume the financial burden when you pass. There is a term that often accompanies arrangements made at the time of death; it is called emotional overspending. This is when a family spends more money than expected on arrangements because they are overcome with grief. The family just wants to show how much they cherished their loved one, no matter the cost.

By pre-planning your arrangements now, you can help your family avoid emotional overspending. You can purchase your burial needs at today’s prices and prevent your family from absorbing the costs.

At the Catholic Cemeteries Association, you are able to enroll in a payment plan and make interest-free payments. You don’t have to purchase everything at once. This makes everything more affordable for you.

What things should I consider ahead of time?

1. Is there a specific cemetery you prefer?
2. Do you want a wake and Catholic funeral Mass?
3. Do you want full-body, cremation, or natural burial?
4. Do you want in-ground or above-ground burial?
5. Do you want to be buried with or near other family members?
6. What type of memorialization do you prefer?

How much does the typical burial service cost?

There are specific costs related to each type of full-body, cremation, and natural burial. Visit one of our offices and meet with a Family Service Representative. Our Family Service Representative will give you a quote for each burial option that you are considering, no obligation.  

Does the Catholic Cemeteries Association sell headstones, memorials, or vaults?

Yes, we do! We manufacture over 90% of Basilica Memorials at Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland! Memorials can also be purchased from an approved vendor, such as a monument dealer or funeral home. When you purchase a Basilica Memorial from the Catholic Cemeteries Association, you have our unconditional guarantee. The Basilica warranty includes the repair or replacement of your memorial for granite chips, cracks, and fading forever. If a future relative visits your final resting place and notices a crack in your headstone, we will repair and replace it at no cost to your family.

Does the Catholic Cemeteries Association sell caskets?

No, we do not sell caskets.

If my situation changes, will the Catholic Cemeteries Association give me a refund?

The Catholic Cemeteries will refund 75% of the cost of the place of interment to the original owner or spouse of owner. The perpetual care charge is not refundable; however, we can offer a 100% refund on a vault and interment fees paid. Most cemeteries will not do this.

If you’re interested in learning more about the burial planning process, attend one of our FREE seminars. Click here to view a list of upcoming seminars.

Written by: Paige Muttillo | Marketing Associate | Catholic Cemeteries Association