What Park Lawn Cemetery Is

Park Lawn Cemetery is a for-profit cemetery operator that manages burial grounds across multiple states. Unlike municipal cemeteries run by cities or counties, Park Lawn is a private company that owns and operates the land, sets its own pricing, and handles sales, maintenance, and interment services. When you purchase a plot or arrange a burial at a Park Lawn location, you are buying from a private business rather than a government entity.

Park Lawn operates cemeteries under various brand names depending on the region. The company handles everything from plot sales to grave opening, monument placement, and ongoing grounds maintenance. Because it is a for-profit operation, costs tend to be higher than municipal cemeteries, but the company often offers more amenities and services on-site.

If you are considering burial at a Park Lawn location, understanding how the company structures its pricing, what is included in different packages, and how to work with their sales and operations teams will help you make an informed decision and avoid unexpected costs.

Key Takeaways

  • Park Lawn is a private, for-profit cemetery company that operates burial grounds across multiple states under various local brand names.
  • Costs at Park Lawn cemeteries are typically higher than municipal cemeteries because the company charges separately for the plot, opening and closing the grave, and monument placement.
  • Park Lawn requires you to purchase a plot before arranging a burial, and plot prices vary significantly by location, size, and whether the plot is in a premium section.
  • You can work with Park Lawn directly or through a funeral home, though the cemetery will still handle grave opening, maintenance, and monument approval.
  • Park Lawn has specific rules about monument design, size, and materials, and all monuments must be approved by the cemetery before installation.

How Plot Pricing and Purchase Work at Park Lawn

Park Lawn sells burial plots as real property, meaning you own the right to use that specific piece of land for burial. The price of a plot depends on the cemetery location, the size of the plot, and whether it is in a standard or premium section. Premium sections—those with better views, closer to entrances, or in newer parts of the cemetery—cost more than standard plots.

When you contact Park Lawn to purchase a plot, a sales representative will show you available options and explain the price for each. You will need to pay for the plot before a burial can take place. Some people purchase plots years in advance, while others buy them only when a death occurs. Park Lawn accepts payment through various methods, and you will receive a deed or certificate of ownership after purchase.

Plot prices are not standardized across Park Lawn locations. A single plot at one cemetery may cost significantly more or less than the same size plot at another Park Lawn cemetery in a different state or region. It is worth calling multiple Park Lawn locations if you have options, or comparing Park Lawn prices to municipal cemeteries in your area before deciding.

Grave Opening, Closing, and Interment Fees

Buying a plot is separate from the cost of actually burying someone in that plot. Park Lawn charges additional fees for grave opening (digging the grave before the funeral), grave closing (filling it after the burial), and sometimes interment (the act of placing the casket in the ground). These fees are in addition to the plot purchase price.

Grave opening and closing fees vary by cemetery and by the depth and size of the grave. A standard adult burial typically costs more than a child's burial or a cremation burial (which requires a smaller space). Park Lawn will provide a written estimate of these fees when you arrange the burial, usually through a funeral home or directly with the cemetery.

If you are pre-planning and have already purchased a plot, ask Park Lawn for a written estimate of opening and closing fees so you know the full cost before a death occurs. These fees are often paid at the time of burial, though some families arrange payment in advance as part of a funeral plan.

Monument and Marker Rules

Park Lawn has strict rules about what monuments, headstones, and markers can be placed on a plot. All monuments must be approved by the cemetery before installation, and they must meet specific requirements about size, material, and design. These rules exist to maintain the appearance and safety of the grounds.

Typical restrictions include limits on monument height and width, requirements that markers be made of approved stone or metal, and rules about what can be engraved or attached to the marker. Some Park Lawn cemeteries allow flat markers only (flush with the ground), while others permit upright headstones. A few locations have restrictions on color or material.

Before you order a monument from a monument company, contact Park Lawn and ask for their monument guidelines in writing. Provide the guidelines to your monument company so they can design something that will be approved. If you order a monument without checking first, it may be rejected, and you will have to pay to modify or replace it.

Working with a Funeral Home vs. Contacting Park Lawn Directly

You can arrange a burial at Park Lawn in two ways: through a funeral home or by contacting the cemetery directly. Most families work through a funeral home because the funeral director handles coordination with the cemetery, obtains the death certificate, and manages the logistics of the funeral service and burial.

If you work through a funeral home, the funeral director will contact Park Lawn on your behalf, arrange the grave opening, coordinate the burial date and time, and handle paperwork. The funeral home will also bill you for the grave opening and closing fees, which are then paid to the cemetery. You will still need to purchase a plot (either in advance or at the time of death), and you will still need to follow Park Lawn's monument rules.

If you contact Park Lawn directly without a funeral home, you will need to handle more of the coordination yourself. This is less common but possible. You would still need to purchase a plot, arrange payment for grave opening and closing, and follow all cemetery rules. Direct contact is sometimes used by families who are handling a burial without a traditional funeral service.

Maintenance and Perpetual Care Fees

Park Lawn charges a perpetual care fee or endowment care fee in addition to the plot price. This fee goes into a fund that pays for the long-term maintenance of the cemetery grounds, including mowing, landscaping, and upkeep of roads and facilities. The fee is typically paid once, at the time of plot purchase or burial.

Perpetual care fees vary by cemetery and by plot size. Some Park Lawn locations include the perpetual care fee in the plot price, while others list it separately. Ask Park Lawn whether the perpetual care fee is included or separate, and get the amount in writing before you commit to a purchase.

This fee ensures that the cemetery will maintain the grounds indefinitely, even if Park Lawn changes ownership or the cemetery becomes less profitable. It is a standard practice at most cemeteries, both public and private, though the amount and structure vary widely.

Pre-Planning and Payment Options

Park Lawn offers pre-planning services, which means you can purchase a plot and arrange burial details before a death occurs. Pre-planning allows you to lock in current prices, reduce the burden on your family at the time of death, and may support your wishes are documented.

Some families pay for plots and services in full at the time of pre-planning. Others set up a payment plan or use a funeral trust account, which is a separate account held by the funeral home or cemetery that is designated for your burial expenses. Ask Park Lawn what payment methods they accept and whether they offer payment plans for plot purchases or perpetual care fees.

If you are pre-planning, request a written summary of all costs: plot price, perpetual care fee, estimated grave opening and closing fees, and any other charges. This document protects you and your family by making the total cost clear before any money changes hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a plot I own at Park Lawn to someone else?

Yes, you can sell or transfer a plot you own at a Park Lawn cemetery. The process varies by state and by individual cemetery, so contact Park Lawn directly to learn their transfer procedures. You may need to provide a deed, pay a transfer fee, and have the new owner sign paperwork. Some states regulate cemetery plot transfers, so check your state's cemetery laws as well.

What happens if I buy a plot but never use it?

If you purchase a plot and do not use it, you own that plot indefinitely. You can sell it, transfer it to a family member, or leave it to someone in your will. Park Lawn will continue to maintain the grounds around it as part of their perpetual care obligations. You cannot get a refund for the plot purchase, but you can recoup some money by selling it to another family.

Does Park Lawn allow cremation burials?

Most Park Lawn cemeteries allow cremation burials, meaning you can bury cremated remains in a plot. Cremation plots are typically smaller and less expensive than full-size burial plots. Some cemeteries also have dedicated columbarium sections for cremation urns. Contact your local Park Lawn cemetery to ask about cremation options and pricing.

What if I want to move a casket from Park Lawn to another cemetery?

Exhuming and relocating a casket is possible but expensive and requires court approval in most states. You will need to work with a funeral home and obtain a court order. Park Lawn will charge an exhumation fee, and the receiving cemetery will charge for opening a new grave. This process typically takes weeks and costs several thousand dollars, so it is not a common choice.

How do I find out which Park Lawn cemetery is near me?

Park Lawn operates cemeteries under different brand names in different regions. Search online for "Park Lawn Cemetery" plus your state or city to find locations near you. You can also contact a local funeral home and ask which cemeteries they work with; they can tell you if any are Park Lawn properties and provide contact information.