AboutLisa Carlson Expertise Funeral Law. Having written a 640-page book on funeral law for consumers with state-by-state information, I am very conversant with consumer rights in this regard: What are the laws on disposition of cremated remains? Is embalming required? Do I have to use a funeral home? Can I have a home wake? Is it a state law to buy a vault? I prepaid for a funeral but changed my mind. They won`t give me all my money back. What can I do? . . . etc.
Teresa wrote at 2008-02-20 02:10:27
Dear Lisa,
First let me extend my condolences on the loss of your parents. While you may be looking for a scam(e) here, there is none. When a cemetery block is laid out the spaces are counted, 1 space, 1 person, 1 set of rights. Is the 2nd right cost less expensive than purchasing the lot next to Dad? Is it more important to you to have your Mother's final resting place recognized at holidays and for future generations to find?(ie:Are you going to have Mother's Day flowers placed on "Dad's space" because you can't let the cemetery know Mom has been sprinkled there?) My mother-in-law took the cheap way out, wanting her ashes "ground in" between her Mom & Dad, now no flowers can be placed in her honor as placements are in front of the individual stones only! No record of her for our kids to visit. IF you've ever tried to walk through a Jewish cemetery in spring you will realize what the vault is for. Vaults or thick stone urns can withstand the p.s.i. of being underground. A sudden collapse of a lesser container can cause a machine to tip over or a loved one breaking an ankle! The monies from the cemetery's costs go to maintain the landscapes, shovel in winter, weed & feed in summer, the manpower, etc. If this is an endowed care cemetery both the records AND your parents resting places will be maintained long after we are gone thanks to the monies that you spend.
cemeterian wrote at 2008-02-25 16:58:26
WOW am I appalled at your total disregard and unprofessionalism. First of all yes, you do own the 1st right of interment, and of course you would have to pay for another burial. If not you would have to pay for a full 2nd grave! And most cemeteries allow you to pre plan the 2nd right cost saving money by locking in today's cost as well as the option of payment plans. I work at a cemetery and before my organization took over the last owner let the families put as many burials in one grave as they wanted. Now, the families want to add memorials for each person and we're supposed to figure out where they go! Well, its just not possible! There are rules everywhere and those rules protect families as well as keeping the cemetery looking good. A vault is a protection as well. Vaults help to ensure graves do not sink making the cemetery a safe place for all the visitiors we have walking around on the grounds, for now and forever!
