Do Funeral Homes Own Cemeteries?
When families lose someone they love, they face many hard choices. One question that comes up is whether funeral homes own cemeteries. The answer changes based on the business. Some funeral homes do own cemeteries. Others work with separate cemetery companies.
Different Types of Ownership
Independent Funeral Homes
Most funeral homes in America are independent businesses. These funeral homes do not own cemeteries. They help families pick burial places but make no money from cemetery sales.
Mike Davis runs Davis Funeral Home in small-town Georgia. His family has owned the business for three generations. “We don’t own any cemeteries,” he explains. “Our job is to help families find the right place for their loved one.”
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) protects families by requiring funeral homes to let them choose any cemetery. This rule keeps funeral homes from forcing families to use specific burial grounds.
Corporate Chains
Large companies own many funeral homes and cemeteries across the country. These corporations offer complete death care services under one roof.
SCI (Service Corporation International) is the biggest company in this business. They own more than 1,900 funeral homes and 500 cemeteries in North America. When families use SCI services, they can handle everything through one company.
Jennifer Walsh used SCI services when her father died. “It made things easier,” she says. “I didn’t have to call different places or make separate appointments.”
How Cemeteries Work
Private Cemeteries
Many cemeteries are private businesses that families or companies own. These burial grounds make profit by selling plots and providing services.
The Johnson family has owned Riverside Cemetery in Ohio for 50 years. Tom Johnson manages the cemetery today. “We work with eight different funeral homes,” he says. “Families can choose any funeral director they want.”
Public Cemeteries
Cities and counties own public cemeteries. These serve local residents and charge lower prices than private cemeteries. The quality and options may be more limited.
Chicago operates 11 public cemeteries through the Parks Dept. (Department). Residents get discounted rates on burial plots. The city spends $2 million each year maintaining these cemeteries.
Religious Cemeteries
Churches and religious organizations own many cemeteries. These burial grounds serve specific faith communities. Each religion has different rules about burial practices.
Rabbi Sarah Cohen oversees Beth Shalom Cemetery in New York. The cemetery has served the Jewish community for 80 years. “Families want to be buried with their faith community,” she explains.
Benefits of Combined Ownership
Easier Planning
When one company owns both the funeral home and cemetery, families deal with fewer people during a difficult time. This can reduce stress and confusion.
Maria Santos chose Eternal Rest Services because they owned both a funeral home and cemetery. “My mom was sick for months,” she remembers. “When she died, I was too tired to deal with multiple companies.”
Package Pricing
Companies that own both services often offer package deals. These bundles might cost less than buying services separately.
The NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association) found that package deals save families an average of $750. However, families should still compare prices from different providers.
Problems with Combined Ownership
Limited Options
When one company controls both services, families have fewer choices. They might feel pressured to use all services from that company.
David Kim wanted his wife buried at the cemetery where her parents were buried. But the funeral home he chose owned a different cemetery. “They kept suggesting their own cemetery,” he says. “It felt like they cared more about money than our wishes.”
Higher Costs
Some companies charge more because they face less competition. Families might pay extra for the convenience of one-stop shopping.
A study by the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) found that combination companies charge 20% more on average than independent providers.
Conflict of Interest
Companies that own both services might not give honest advice. They have financial reasons to sell their own cemetery plots instead of helping families find the best option.
Laws That Protect Families
Federal Rules
The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to:
- Give written price lists
- Allow families to buy only the services they want
- Let families choose any cemetery
These rules apply even when companies own both funeral homes and cemeteries.
State Laws
Each state has different laws about funeral homes and cemeteries. Some states require strict separation between the two businesses.
California law requires funeral homes and cemeteries to be separate corporations. This prevents some conflicts of interest that could hurt families.
Florida allows one company to own both but requires clear disclosure. Companies must tell families about their ownership before selling services.
How to Find Out Who Owns What
Ask Questions
Families should ask funeral homes about their cemetery ownership. Good funeral directors will give honest answers.
“Do you own any cemeteries?” is an important question. The answer helps families understand if there might be conflicts of interest.
Research Companies
State business records show who owns what companies. The SOS (Secretary of State) office keeps this information. Families can look up companies before making decisions.
The BBB (Better Business Bureau) also has information about funeral home and cemetery ownership. They track complaints and ratings for these businesses.
Read Contracts
All contracts should clearly state which companies are involved. Families should understand ownership before signing anything.
Making Good Choices
Compare Prices
Families should get quotes from multiple funeral homes and cemeteries. This helps them find the best value for their money.
The FCA (Funeral Consumers Alliance) recommends getting at least three quotes. They also suggest visiting different cemeteries to compare options.
Think About What Matters Most
Some families want convenience above all else. Others care most about saving money. Some families have specific location preferences.
Robert Chen chose a combination company because his elderly mother couldn’t handle multiple appointments. “The extra cost was worth it for mom’s peace of mind,” he says.
Industry Changes
More Big Companies
Large corporations keep buying smaller funeral homes and cemeteries. This trend has continued for more than 20 years.
The top five companies now control about 40% of the funeral market in the US (United States). This number grows each year as more consolidation happens.
New Competition
Some new companies are challenging traditional business models. They offer lower prices and more transparent pricing.
Online platforms now help families compare funeral home and cemetery options. These websites make it easier to find independent providers and compare costs.
Important Facts and Numbers
Research shows that about 70% of funeral homes are still independent businesses. However, large chains often own the biggest and busiest locations.
Independent cemeteries charge an average of $1,200 for burial plots. Chain-owned cemeteries charge an average of $1,800 for similar plots.
Customer satisfaction rates are similar between independent and chain-owned businesses. What matters more is how individual staff members treat families.
The funeral industry generates about $20 billion in revenue each year in the United States. Cemetery services account for about 30% of this total.
Getting Help and Advice
Professional Support
Good funeral directors should explain ownership clearly and help families understand their options. They should work for families, not just for their companies.
Consumer Groups
Organizations like the FCA provide free advice to families. They help people understand their rights and find affordable options.
The FAMSA (Funeral and Memorial Societies of America) also offers guidance. They have local chapters in many cities that help families plan ahead.
Government Resources
Some states have ombudsman programs that handle funeral complaints. These officials investigate problems and help resolve disputes between families and funeral providers.
Planning Ahead
Pre-Planning Benefits
Families who plan ahead have more time to research options and compare prices. They can make decisions without the pressure of grief.
Betty Williams pre-planned her funeral five years before she died. Her daughter says, “Mom researched everything carefully. She found an independent funeral home and chose her favorite cemetery. It saved us money and stress.”
What to Consider
When planning ahead, families should think about:
- Whether they want the convenience of one company or prefer to choose separate providers
- How important cost savings are compared to convenience
- Any specific cemetery or location preferences
- Religious or cultural requirements
Final Thoughts
The question of funeral home ownership of cemeteries doesn’t have a simple answer. What matters most is that families get good service at fair prices.
Some combination companies provide excellent care and reasonable costs. Others take advantage of grieving families who don’t want to shop around.
The key is asking questions, comparing options, and understanding what each company owns. Families have the right to choose their own cemetery, even if their funeral home owns burial grounds.
Remember that losing someone is never easy. Whether families choose independent providers or combination companies, the most important thing is finding businesses that treat them with kindness and respect during a difficult time.
Good funeral directors and cemetery staff understand that they are helping families through one of the hardest experiences of their lives. Ownership structure matters less than having people who truly care about serving families well.
