Whether you’re preplanning your own funeral service or handling that of a recently deceased loved one, selecting burial options is one of the most crucial steps. Oak Grove Cemetery in La Crosse, WI, is one of the area’s most respected and beloved burial grounds, with over 80 acres of plots. The staff understands that planning a burial service can be stressful and emotional, and it may be difficult to know where to start. To help you navigate this challenging task, they explain the four essential factors you’ll need to consider. 

Things to Consider When Planning a Burial Service 

Above- or In-Ground

You’ll first need to decide between an above-ground or in-ground burial. With an in-ground burial, the deceased is interred in a burial plot in a casket, shroud, vault, or grave-liner. The plot is typically marked with a headstone or grave marker. Above-ground burials involve a crypt or mausoleum that can be either communal or individual. Community mausoleums are buildings with spaces for the interment of multiple individuals and families. Crypts can house one or two people. Private tombs often resemble a small building and offer a private, personalized space for people to be laid to rest alongside loved ones and family. 

Number of Spaces

Whether you choose above- or in-ground burial, you can be buried alongside a spouse or relatives or by yourself. Some people purchase plots for themselves and a spouse ahead of time to ensure they’ll be together, even after death. Others buy plots for the whole family. Be sure to ask the cemetery what charges you’ll incur for multiple burials or reservations. 

Marker Type

Next, you’ll choose the marker or headstone type. The kind of marker you choose depends, in part, on the type of burial option you want. For instance, if your cremated remains are to be housed in a public mausoleum, you’ll probably choose an engraving to be etched in the wall outside your vault. If you select an in-ground burial, you can select a simple grave marker or an in-ground or upright headstone. Headstones and engravings can be designed and customized ahead of time to reflect your unique tastes. Verify ahead of time whether you can purchase a marker from a third party, or whether the cemetery requires you to buy from them.

Costs & Extra Fees 

Don’t assume the cost of the plot is the full price. Often, cemeteries add additional costs such as an open and close fee. This fee covers the cost of digging the grave, interring the body, and filling the grave after burial. Prices can vary significantly depending on your area and the cemetery, so be sure to ask about it ahead of time. Also, most cemeteries charge for perpetual and endowment care, which covers the upkeep of the graveyard. It is typically 5% to 15% of the plot price.

For more assistance planning a burial service or cremation, contact the compassionate professionals at Oak Grove Cemetery. Since 1852, they’ve assisted area families with all aspects of burial planning and memorial services. Call (608) 782-6956 to speak with a helpful staff member. Or, visit the website for more information on planning and burial options.