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Burial FAQ
what is opening and closing perty and the protection of other
and why is it so expensive? grave sites, the actual opening and
Opening and closing fees can in- closing of the grave is conducted by
clude up to and beyond 50 separate cemetery grounds personnel only.
services provided by the cemetery.
Typically, the opening and closing why is having a place to vis-
fee include administration and per- it so important?
manent record keeping; opening To remember and to be remem-
and closing the grave (locating the bered are natural human needs. A
grave and laying out the boundaries, permanent memorial in a cemetery
opening and closing the interment provides a focal point for remem-
space); installation and removal of brance and memorializing the de-
the lowering device; placement and ceased. Throughout human history,
removal of artificial grass dressing memorialization of the dead has
and remove at the grave site, leve- been a key component of almost
ling, tamping, re-grading and sod- every culture. Remembrance prac-
ding the grave site and leveling and tices serve an important emotion-
re-sodding the grave if the earth al function for survivors by helping
settles. them bring closure and allowing the
healing process to begin.
can we dig our own grave
to avoid the charge for what happens when a ceme-
opening and closing tery runs out of land?
The actual opening and closing of When a cemetery runs out of land,
the grave is just one component of it will continue to operate and serve
the opening and closing fee. Due to the community. Most cemeteries
safety issues which arise around the have crematoriums, some historic
use of machinery on cemetery pro- cemeteries even offer guided tours.
