 |
| Digging a Grave |
Moving
a body from one cemetery to another used to be a rare occurrence, but
nowadays, it’s becoming more common.
The
reasons to transfer remains from one cemetery to another are numerous:
Families
may move away from their hometowns and want to relocate a beloved relative with
them to the new area.
 |
| Family Plot |
The
dearly departed may have been buried in another state and their closest kin
wants to move them home to the family burial plot.
 |
| Cramped Quarters |
The
cemetery they are located in may be too crowded to allow the remainder of the
family to be buried there, so the remains are relocated to a larger cemetery
where everyone can be buried together.
Regardless
of the reason, there are certain things to be considered before a body is
relocated, or transferred, to another cemetery.
First,
find out what is required by the state where the body is currently buried. If
you are relocating the remains to another state, you will also need that
information. Most states require
special permits and licenses, and many require that the family be in agreement
on the move.
 |
| Advice |
Next,
contact your local funeral home for advice on the process of having remains
exhumed and transferred, and find out what is legally required. You will also need a funeral home at
the new location to receive the remains and oversee the re-interment at the new
cemetery. That funeral director
will be in charge of burial arrangements made with the new cemetery, and
securing all necessary certificates and permits for re-interment.
 |
| Church Cemetery |
If
your loved one is buried in a church or religiously affiliated cemetery, you
will need to get their approval to have the remains removed. Being buried in consecrated ground is
considered a sacred act, and the church, or acting officials, may have the
right to deny your request.
You
will need to contact the current cemetery and the new cemetery to coordinate
plans for the transfer of the body.
There
are many costs involved in transferring a body -
When
having a body disinterred and moved, you may need to purchase a new casket for
the transportation and reburial. (A very basic casket starts at $500 and
up.) If the casket was placed in a
concrete vault, it may be an option to move the entire vault, if deemed
necessary. (Disinterring and transportation fees for a vault may be very
expensive.) |
| Opening a Grave |
 |
| Closing a Grave |
There
will be the cost of opening the grave at the current cemetery, and then the
cost of opening the grave and closing it at the new cemetery. (Beginning at $1,000 and up.)
 |
| Disinterment |
A
funeral director may be required by state law to be on hand for the
disinterment, and another director may be required at the new location to
receive the body and oversee reburial. (Beginning at $1,000 for each and up.)
 |
| Overland Transportation |
Transportation
of the remains will vary widely, depending on the distance between cemeteries.
If it is a local move, from one cemetery to another within a short driving
distance, a hearse may be used (Check with funeral homes for prices.) If the remains are to be moved hundreds
of miles away, an overland carrier will likely transport the casket. (Rates
will vary, but could be extremely expensive, depending on casket weight.)
 |
| New Stone |
 |
| Reburial |
Remember
too, at the new cemetery you will have the opening and closing costs for the
re-burial. (Estimate $1,000 and up.) Plus, the cost of a new vault, (Estimated $1,200 and up.) And a new headstone. (Varies)
 |
| Service and Interment |
If
you want a memorial service at the new cemetery, there will most likely be a
charge for that. (Check with the funeral home.) And there may also be a charge for annual or perpetual care
at the new cemetery. (Usually 5% to 15% of the grave site price.)
It
may be judicial to get estimates before you begin to consider if the move is
financially feasible and also to help you control costs by selecting providers
you can afford.  |
| Veteran's Cemetery |
Do
your research. Veteran’s
Cemeteries may waive some or all of the fees to transfer the remains of a
veteran to their location. Private
and public cemeteries generally do not.
If
you decide that the process is too costly or too involved, you might consider
having a headstone placed in the new cemetery with an acknowledgement that the
remains are located elsewhere. This would still give the family a place to
visit and feel closer to the deceased.
(But keep in mind; you may have to purchase a grave space on which to
place the headstone.)
~
Joy
