When a beloved relative or friend dies, the grief and emotional pain you feel can seem overwhelming. Amid this turmoil, it can be difficult to plan a funeral service or choose a loved one’s final resting place. However, these decisions are an important part of the grieving process and one of the best ways to honor the deceased. The professionals at Oak Grove Cemetery, in La Crosse, WI, understand the challenges of finding an appropriate grave site. They’re here with some advice to make your cemetery search a bit easier.

How to Choose an Appropriate Cemetery

Location

Many people, before death, will choose a place where they want to be buried. If not, it is up to family members to carry out their final wishes. If your loved one did not choose a grave site ahead of time, location is a big factor in your cemetery search. Here are some questions to consider: Would the deceased have preferred to rest in the town where they were born or spent most of their adult life? Is there a family burial plot? It’s also important to consider where the highest concentration of family lives, as they will likely visit the cemetery most often. 

Type of Cemetery

There are four main types of cemeteries, and it can be helpful to do a little research before deciding where your loved one will be buried.

• Public, for-profit cemeteries are the most common and can be found through friends, family members, or by searching online. Most are independently owned or part of a larger corporation.
• Religious cemeteries are non-profit entities and are usually part of a church, synagogue, or mosque.
• City or district cemeteries are also non-profit and owned by a district or municipality. Contact city hall or the local town clerk for more information.
• Veteran’s cemeteries are reserved for those who have served in the armed forces.

Regulations & Rules

Depending on the location or type of cemetery you choose, there will be certain rules and regulations that must be followed. This can range from religious requirements to the size of grave markers that are permitted on the property. When conducting a cemetery search, find out what these rules are—and make sure family members and loved ones are comfortable with any and all arrangements.

Created in 1852, Oak Grove Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in the state of Wisconsin. More than 30,000 people are interred in this beautiful cemetery, and many families come back to honor loved ones in its peaceful, park-like atmosphere. To find out about available grave sites, special events, or to schedule a walking tour, call (608) 782-6956. For more information on grave monuments or gravesites (both above ground and in-ground), visit the website.