Cremation, once avoided by most Americans and even prohibited by some faiths in this country, is becoming increasingly popular as people see the benefits of this option compared to traditional burial, especially the fact that it's less expensive and not time-sensitve

Many individuals and families, however, continue to opt for body burial, largely due to custom and tradition. They want a place where they can be near other relatives buried in the same place.  They desire a monument to memorialize their earthly existence, and they want to imagine their loved ones visiting their remains and, perhaps, decorating the grave with flowers. 

Burial of bodies, and even ashes, can be a costly proposition.   Cemeteries have become a big business in which real estate is purchased, divided up and sold for graves, without much government regulation.

Because burials are a business, price ranges vary greatly according to what the buyer is prepared to pay.  Prices are usually determined in the interview with cemetery sales staff who are licensed by the Arizona Real Estate Board to sell plots.  Depending on the section of a cemetery, the cost can go up according to the "view" or landscaping.  Just a quick glance at classified ads by people wanting to unload plots they no longer need reveals that the prices currently range from $1,000 to $7500.  Cemeteries sell plots for more.  Resales can be found at gravesolutions.com or thecemeteryregistry.com.  Niches, too, are priced according to the desirability of their position in the columbarium. 

It is essential to receive and read a copy of the cemetery rules and regulations to insure that their policies don't conflict with your desires (such as allowed decorations).

Vault liners are usually required to prevent settling of the ground.  The most economical is concrete with four walls and a top.  Beware of sales pitches for deluxe liners or sealed caskets.  Neither the vault nor the casket, regardless of cost, will preserve the body despite the use of embalming or any other methods designed to inhibit natural decomposition.

It is important to determine the cemetery's opening and closing charges for a burial plot or columbarium niche, as well as grave marker and recording fees.  The salesperson should be able to clearly explain these.  Some cemeteries impose various fees when gravemarkers are purchased elsewhere.  If this is the first burial of a couple, ask what the second will cost as sometimes prices are skewed for the second burial in the same plot.

While cemeteries promise perpetual maintenance of graves, it can happen that, when all plots have been sold and no new money is coming in, the fund for maintenance may dry up.  Then, despite the contract, care will cease.

The bottom line in all of this is that you should carefully consider these matters ahead of time and bring an impartial friend along when you  shop for  cemetery services.  If you are not treated well and are unhappy at the initial meeting, walk away.  Remember that you or your family will have to deal with the cemetery for years to come.