#47 - A Getting Started Guide To Selling Burial Plots
Reluctant Executor News
Buying a burial plot may feel like a permanent decision, but many families are surprised to learn that these plots can actually be sold. Whether plans have changed, family members have moved, or cremation has replaced traditional burial, unused plots can hold significant financial value. Understanding how to sell a burial plot, and the rules that come with it, can help you recover funds while ensuring the property goes to someone who needs it.
Wait, I can sell a burial plot???
Just like most assets, you can sell a burial plot if you can find a buyer. The easiest way is to work with a cemetery broker. Similar to a Realtor, they can help find buyers, recommend prices, and facilitate the deed transfer. Also like Realtors, they may need to be licensed in some states, so be sure to verify the requirements where you live.
Various websites support the For Sale By Owner approach. You can list on a general marketplace, like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or your local newspaper. Or choose a site dedicated to cemetery plot exchanges, like BurialLink, The Cemetery Exchange, or Grave Solutions. These sites typically charge a listing fee, but you'll be responsible for all communication, pricing, and the deed transfer.
Why would anyone want to sell a burial plot?
Before knowing why people sell plots, it's useful to know how they are acquired. Many funeral homes or cemeteries presell funeral arrangements, including a plot. Families that plan ahead can pick their plot, lock in lower pricing, and take this burden off of their family. Families also may have large plots reserved for multiple generations, handing these down to children and grandchildren.
As you may have guessed, life doesn’t always go as planned. Children move away, the family doesn't turn out to be as big as once planned, or maybe they decide on alternative burial methods like cremation. These choices leave families owning assets that won't be used. Upon learning that plots could be worth thousands of dollars, many begin researching how to sell these valuable assets.
Can't families just sell the plot back to the cemetery?
Most cemeteries or funeral homes will gladly sell you a plot, but they don't usually buy them back. Selling new plots is more profitable than repurchasing previously sold plots. Plus, selling only new plots decreases the supply, which helps increase the price of unsold plots.
However, cemeteries may buy back plots under some circumstances. For example, if there is strong demand at a particular location and no available new plots, they may turn to families that are looking to sell. Keep in mind that they may not offer you the original purchase price, but it could be an easier process.
What is a used burial plot?
In scanning cemetery plot listings, some ads offer used plots. While this may have just been an oversight in the listing, some cemeteries actually do reuse plots. This can happen if remains have been relocated or decomposed. It is also possible for families that want to add cremated remains to an existing plot, or to increase the size to place a second coffin in the same space.
If you're in the market for a resale burial plot, either as a buyer or a seller, be sure to check the details from both the other party and the cemetery.
Estate Organization
How does reselling burial plots fit in with Reluctant Executor's services? Sharing details of any preplanned funeral arrangements with your family is crucial. For example, if you don't know what plans your parents made, at the least it would cost hours of time calling local funeral homes to find out. At the most, it would cost thousands of extra dollars and additional stress during an already stressful time.
If you don't know if your parents have preplanned funeral arrangements, schedule a call with us and learn how to start this conversation.