TRADITIONAL GROUND BURIAL
If you choose a burial site, how many graves are included? The number can vary, of course, depending on the space you might need. But ordinarily, one single grave site can accommodate two full-casket burials. Larger family burial sites are available to accommodate a greater number. Two sets of cremated remains can be substituted for the space taken by a full casket. You should determine whether a family lot is appropriate by considering whether children are nearby, for instance, and whether it’s important to them to share a family burial site.
What advantages are offered by choosing a family burial site in advance? The advantages are both logistical and economic. In the first instance, with a family site there is no question or indecision at the time of burial. When the site has been pre-chosen and pre-purchased, there is no conflict. Everyone knows where the burial site is located and that it is immediately available. A family site purchased on a pre-need basis saves money, too. Inflation and supply and demand will certainly affect cemetery costs, just like everything else. What you see today, especially if there are several graves involved, will almost certainly be less expensive now than in the future.
You’ll find a trained, understanding cemetery staff member who will be happy to advise and assist you on the appropriate setting and number of burial sites—explaining all the options, so that you will be comfortable and at peace with your choice.
What advantages are offered by choosing a family burial site in advance? The advantages are both logistical and economic. In the first instance, with a family site there is no question or indecision at the time of burial. When the site has been pre-chosen and pre-purchased, there is no conflict. Everyone knows where the burial site is located and that it is immediately available. A family site purchased on a pre-need basis saves money, too. Inflation and supply and demand will certainly affect cemetery costs, just like everything else. What you see today, especially if there are several graves involved, will almost certainly be less expensive now than in the future.
You’ll find a trained, understanding cemetery staff member who will be happy to advise and assist you on the appropriate setting and number of burial sites—explaining all the options, so that you will be comfortable and at peace with your choice.
Here's What You Need to Know:
Four essential Products associated with a Traditional Ground Burial Plan
Traditional "In-ground" burial is typically an option that generations have chosen for hundreds of years. Detailed below are four products and services necessary for a complete traditional burial. Some families choose to purchase all of these at once; other families purchase one at a time. (Products and services may be purchased in any order.)
1.) Cemetery Space (aka: Grave site or Burial lot)
When choosing your space, you must decide on a location--Is it close to relatives? Does it have special landscaping features that you most prefer? Is it located in a place that is easy to find? Once you have chosen the location, you then select the space type--either “single-depth” or “double-depth."
Four essential Products associated with a Traditional Ground Burial Plan
Traditional "In-ground" burial is typically an option that generations have chosen for hundreds of years. Detailed below are four products and services necessary for a complete traditional burial. Some families choose to purchase all of these at once; other families purchase one at a time. (Products and services may be purchased in any order.)
1.) Cemetery Space (aka: Grave site or Burial lot)
When choosing your space, you must decide on a location--Is it close to relatives? Does it have special landscaping features that you most prefer? Is it located in a place that is easy to find? Once you have chosen the location, you then select the space type--either “single-depth” or “double-depth."
- Single-Depth Space: accommodates one individual; can be used in a single, stand-alone basis, or have an adjoining (“side-by-side”) space for a companion
- Double-Depth Space: accommodates two individuals, one on top of the other
Cemetery vaults can be purchased from Mount Olivet.
2.) Burial Vault or Liner
The burial vault is typically a concrete structure, placed into the grave space as a protective lining for the casket on all four sides, top and bottom. After vault placement, the coffin is lowered into it, and a lid is lowered to cover the casket. This seals the vault, protecting the casket from nature’s elements; and also keeps the land from shifting and sinking, ensuring the space remains level and firm, as well as protecting the casket from the weight and pressure from the ground, monuments and equipment being used above it. Older burial vaults in the cemetery were constructed of wood or brick, where today's may be made of concrete, metal or plastic.
For those desiring a "greener" and less expensive alternative for casket enclosure, there are burial liners. A liner is similar to a a vault, but does not have a bottom. The coffin is lowered directly onto the earth. The liner is then lowered over the casket. Modern burial liners may also be made of concrete, metal or plastic. Because the sides of the burial vault are attached to the bottom of the vault, the burial vault is generally stronger than a burial liner.
NOTE: Vaults can be bought from either the cemetery or most funeral homes . Compare prices before purchasing! Either way, a vault service fee will be charged by the cemetery to cover handling and placement of the vaults at time of burial
The burial vault is typically a concrete structure, placed into the grave space as a protective lining for the casket on all four sides, top and bottom. After vault placement, the coffin is lowered into it, and a lid is lowered to cover the casket. This seals the vault, protecting the casket from nature’s elements; and also keeps the land from shifting and sinking, ensuring the space remains level and firm, as well as protecting the casket from the weight and pressure from the ground, monuments and equipment being used above it. Older burial vaults in the cemetery were constructed of wood or brick, where today's may be made of concrete, metal or plastic.
For those desiring a "greener" and less expensive alternative for casket enclosure, there are burial liners. A liner is similar to a a vault, but does not have a bottom. The coffin is lowered directly onto the earth. The liner is then lowered over the casket. Modern burial liners may also be made of concrete, metal or plastic. Because the sides of the burial vault are attached to the bottom of the vault, the burial vault is generally stronger than a burial liner.
NOTE: Vaults can be bought from either the cemetery or most funeral homes . Compare prices before purchasing! Either way, a vault service fee will be charged by the cemetery to cover handling and placement of the vaults at time of burial
3.) Opening/closing of the grave
The opening-and-closing of the grave is a service performed by the cemetery staff at the time of burial. The fee for this service includes opening the ground, preparing the burial site for the service, filling in the land once the burial is complete, and appropriate landscaping of the area to ensure the site’s appearance is restored and beautified. There is an additional modest charge for tent and chairs.
The opening-and-closing of the grave is a service performed by the cemetery staff at the time of burial. The fee for this service includes opening the ground, preparing the burial site for the service, filling in the land once the burial is complete, and appropriate landscaping of the area to ensure the site’s appearance is restored and beautified. There is an additional modest charge for tent and chairs.
4.) Grave site memorial
There are many ways that families choose to memorialize the place of burial. The two most common are grave “markers” and grave “monuments.” Both can memorialize either one person ("single memorial") or two people such as a husband and wife (“companion memorial”). Some memorials are even large enough to accommodate multiple family members. The size of the memorial may also depend on the space type.
NOTE: Most sections of Mount Olivet dictate specific memorial styles and/or companion markers (ie: one monument over two graves, style of stone for lots adjoining roadways, feature lots).
On any grave memorial, families can choose from different emblems that represent their loved one, such as religious, occupational, or decorative symbols. Some families choose to have scenes or pictures inscribed on their memorial. It is a creative way to memorialize the life of your loved one, as well as serve the practical purpose of marking the spot of burial for visitors to find in the future. We offer several galleries on this site showing multiple examples of monument, marker and plaque treatments of varying designs.
There are many ways that families choose to memorialize the place of burial. The two most common are grave “markers” and grave “monuments.” Both can memorialize either one person ("single memorial") or two people such as a husband and wife (“companion memorial”). Some memorials are even large enough to accommodate multiple family members. The size of the memorial may also depend on the space type.
NOTE: Most sections of Mount Olivet dictate specific memorial styles and/or companion markers (ie: one monument over two graves, style of stone for lots adjoining roadways, feature lots).
- Grave Marker: the marker is often a flat bronze plaque installed on a granite stone base, indicating the name of the deceased, the date of birth and death, and any other personal information that the family would like to have inscribed. Some cemeteries only allow flat markers because they are flush to the ground and allow for easier landscaping and a more uniform appearance.
- Grave Monument: the monument is an upright, granite stone that indicates the name of the deceased, the date of birth and death, and other personal information. The monument memorial is often referred to as a “tombstone."
- Foot Stones: A foot stone is a monument made of granite that is placed at the foot of a grave. these are most often used in family plots and correspond to a central grave monument depicting the family surname.
On any grave memorial, families can choose from different emblems that represent their loved one, such as religious, occupational, or decorative symbols. Some families choose to have scenes or pictures inscribed on their memorial. It is a creative way to memorialize the life of your loved one, as well as serve the practical purpose of marking the spot of burial for visitors to find in the future. We offer several galleries on this site showing multiple examples of monument, marker and plaque treatments of varying designs.