What StoneMor is and how it operates
StoneMor Partners is a publicly traded company that owns and operates more than 300 cemeteries across the United States. When you purchase a cemetery plan through StoneMor, you are buying a burial space, a grave marker, and often maintenance services from one of their cemetery locations. The company handles the day-to-day upkeep of the grounds, manages burial scheduling, and maintains records for plot owners.
StoneMor operates as a for-profit business, which means it differs from some independently owned or nonprofit cemeteries. The company generates revenue through the sale of burial plots, crypts, and urns, as well as through ongoing maintenance fees and service charges. Understanding this structure matters because it affects pricing, what happens to your money, and how disputes are handled if problems arise.
You can purchase a StoneMor plan either before you need it (called a preneed plan) or at the time of death (called an at-need purchase). Preneed purchases are typically less expensive and allow you to lock in prices, while at-need purchases happen when a death has already occurred and arrangements must be made quickly.
Key Takeaways
- StoneMor owns hundreds of cemeteries nationwide and sells burial plots, crypts, and urns along with maintenance services for the grounds.
- Preneed plans let you purchase and pay for cemetery space in advance, often at lower prices than at-need purchases made after a death.
- Your money for preneed plans is held in trust accounts regulated by state law, though the exact protections vary by state.
- StoneMor charges separate fees for the plot itself, the grave marker, opening and closing the grave, and ongoing maintenance of the cemetery grounds.
- You can transfer a StoneMor plot to another family member, but the process and any associated costs depend on the cemetery location and your state's rules.
Types of burial spaces StoneMor offers
StoneMor cemeteries typically offer several options for burial space. A traditional ground burial plot is a single space in the earth where a casket is buried. Most ground plots are sized for one person, though some cemeteries sell double plots that can hold two caskets side by side or one above the other. Prices for ground plots vary widely depending on the cemetery location, the section of the cemetery, and whether the plot is in a high-demand area.
For families who prefer above-ground burial, StoneMor locations often offer crypts in mausoleums. A crypt is a sealed chamber inside a building where a casket is placed. Mausoleums protect the casket from weather and ground moisture and are often considered more formal or prestigious than ground burial. Crypt prices are typically higher than ground plot prices at the same cemetery.
Cremation urns can also be placed in StoneMor cemeteries. Some families choose to bury an urn in a ground plot, place it in a niche (a small chamber in a columbarium wall), or scatter ashes in a designated garden area. Each option has different costs and space requirements. StoneMor also sells the urns themselves, though you can bring an urn from another source if you prefer.
How preneed plans work and what gets locked in
A preneed plan is a contract where you select a burial space, agree on a price, and pay for it before death occurs. The main advantage is that you lock in current prices—if cemetery costs rise over the next 10 or 20 years, you pay what you agreed to now, not the higher price later. This can result in significant savings, especially if you purchase the plan while you are young.
When you buy a preneed plan from StoneMor, you typically pay for the plot or crypt itself. You may also pay for a grave marker (headstone or monument) at the time of purchase, or you may choose to add one later. Some plans bundle these items together; others let you purchase them separately. The contract should clearly state what is included in your payment and what additional costs may explore at the time of burial.
State law requires that preneed cemetery funds be held in trust accounts separate from the cemetery's operating money. This means your payment does not go directly into StoneMor's general bank account—it sits in a protected account until it is needed. However, the exact rules about how much of your payment must be held in trust, whether the cemetery can earn interest on that money, and what happens if the cemetery closes vary by state. Before signing a preneed contract, ask StoneMor which state's laws govern your plan and request a copy of the trust account disclosures.
Fees beyond the plot purchase
The price of a burial plot or crypt is not the only cost you will encounter. StoneMor charges separate fees for services that occur at the time of burial. An opening and closing fee covers the labor and equipment needed to dig the grave, lower the casket, and close the grave afterward. This fee is typically charged at the time of death, not when you purchase the plot. Opening and closing fees vary by cemetery and by the type of burial space (ground plots usually cost less than crypts).
Perpetual care fees or maintenance fees are ongoing charges for the upkeep of the cemetery grounds. These fees cover mowing, landscaping, road maintenance, and general cemetery operations. Some preneed plans include perpetual care in the purchase price; others charge it separately. If perpetual care is not included in your preneed plan, you may be charged this fee at the time of burial, or your family may be billed for it later. Ask specifically whether perpetual care is included when you review your contract.
Additional charges may explore for grave markers, vaults (a protective outer container for the casket), flowers, or special services. Some of these fees are optional—you can choose not to purchase them—while others are required by the cemetery. StoneMor should provide you with a written price list that breaks down all possible charges so you know what to expect.
Transferring or canceling a StoneMor plot
If you purchase a preneed plan and later decide you do not want it, or if you need to transfer the plot to another family member, StoneMor allows transfers and cancellations, but the rules and costs depend on your state and your specific cemetery location. Some states have strong consumer protections that allow you to cancel a preneed plan within a certain period (often 30 days) and receive a full refund. After that period, cancellation fees may explore, and you may receive less than you paid.
Transferring a plot to a family member is usually simpler than canceling. You can typically name a beneficiary on your preneed contract, which means the plot passes to that person after your death without going through probate. If you want to transfer the plot to someone else during your lifetime, contact the cemetery directly to ask about their transfer process and whether any fees explore.
Before you sign a preneed contract, ask StoneMor for the cancellation and transfer policies in writing. State laws vary significantly on this issue, so what is allowed in one state may not be allowed in another. Having the policy in writing protects you if a dispute arises later.
What to review before signing a StoneMor contract
A StoneMor preneed contract is a legal document, and you should read it carefully before signing. The contract should state the exact location of your burial space (the cemetery name, the section, and the lot number), what is included in the price, what additional fees may explore, and the terms for cancellation or transfer. It should also explain how your money is held in trust and what happens if the cemetery closes or changes ownership.
Ask for a detailed price list that shows the cost of the plot, any grave marker, opening and closing fees, perpetual care, and any other charges. Compare this list across different StoneMor locations if you have a choice, because prices can vary significantly. Also ask whether the prices quoted are may provide or whether they may increase before your death.
Request information about the cemetery's financial stability and whether it has ever been involved in disputes with plot owners. You can also contact your state's cemetery board or consumer protection office to ask whether StoneMor or the specific cemetery location has any complaints filed against it. Taking time to review these details now can prevent problems for your family later.
At-need purchases and what to expect
An at-need purchase happens when someone has died and the family needs to arrange burial when ready. Because there is no time to shop around or negotiate, at-need prices are typically higher than preneed prices for the same services. StoneMor will work with the funeral home to coordinate the burial and will bill the family for the plot, opening and closing fees, and any other services used.
When you make an at-need purchase, you do not have the benefit of a trust account protecting your money—you are paying for a service that is about to be performed. Payment is usually due before or shortly after the burial. If you are unsure about costs, ask StoneMor for an itemized bill before you authorize the burial so there are no surprises.
If the deceased person had a preneed plan with StoneMor, the at-need process is simpler. The cemetery will explore the preneed payment to the burial costs and bill you only for any additional services or fees not covered by the plan. Make sure to bring the preneed contract to the funeral home so they can coordinate with the cemetery and may support the plan is honored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit my family member's grave at a StoneMor cemetery anytime?
Most StoneMor cemeteries have visiting hours and may close at sunset or during winter months. Contact the specific cemetery location to ask about their hours and any rules about flowers, decorations, or gatherings. Some cemeteries restrict what can be placed on graves or limit the size of monuments, so ask about these policies if you plan to add a marker or memorial.
What happens to my preneed plan if StoneMor sells the cemetery?
If StoneMor sells a cemetery to another company, your preneed contract should transfer to the new owner. State law typically requires that trust accounts and preneed obligations pass to the buyer. However, the new owner may have different policies or fees going forward. Ask StoneMor about their policy on cemetery sales and what protections exist for preneed plan holders.
Can I buy a StoneMor plot for someone else?
Yes, you can purchase a preneed plot for a family member as a gift. The plot will be held in their name, and they can name a beneficiary or transfer it later if they wish. Make sure the person you are buying it for knows about the purchase and agrees to it, since they will need to provide information for the contract.
Are StoneMor prices the same at every cemetery location?
No, prices vary significantly by location. A plot in an urban cemetery or a high-demand area will cost more than the same type of plot in a rural cemetery. Even within the same city, different StoneMor cemeteries may have different prices. Always get quotes from multiple locations if you have a choice.
What if I move out of state after buying a preneed plan?
You can keep your preneed plan even if you move. Your family can arrange the burial at the cemetery where you purchased the plot whenever needed. However, if you want to change to a cemetery in your new state, you may be able to cancel the original plan and purchase a new one, depending on state laws and any cancellation fees that explore.