Choosing a final resting place is one of the most personal decisions a family makes. For those choosing a cemetery plot in Chicagoland, the process involves location, budget, and deeply held traditions — from an east-facing Orthodox grave to a family garden with room for generations. At Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, we help families across the Chicago area make this choice with clarity and peace.
Key Takeaways: Choosing a Cemetery Plot
- Start early — the best plots are chosen calmly, not in crisis.
- Compare cemetery types: municipal, private, religious, and national.
- Understand costs: the plot, opening and closing, and the required liner or vault.
- Verify the cemetery’s rules on headstones, decorations, and visitations.
- Consider religious needs — for example, east-facing graves in Orthodox tradition.
1. The Different Types of Cemeteries
Chicagoland offers several kinds of cemeteries, each with its own character:
- Municipal cemeteries — operated by local government, often the most affordable, with long traditions of serving a community.
- Private cemeteries — ranging from historic garden cemeteries with grand landscaping to modern, closely managed grounds.
- Religious cemeteries — Catholic, Jewish, Greek Orthodox, and other faith communities maintain cemeteries that honor specific burial traditions, including east-facing graves.
- National cemeteries — free burial for eligible veterans and their dependents, with full military honors.
For Orthodox families, a cemetery with a dedicated Greek or Orthodox section ensures the traditions we hold sacred — such as the east-facing grave — are available. For veterans, a national cemetery is both an honor and a practical choice.
2. What You’re Actually Paying For
The price of a plot is only part of the cost. A complete picture includes:
- The plot itself — which may include a right of burial, a marker or monument allowance, and an endowment care fee that funds grounds upkeep. Plot prices vary widely, from a few hundred dollars in some municipal cemeteries to several thousand for premium private plots.
- Opening and closing — the cemetery’s fee for excavating and closing the grave.
- Grave liner or vault — required by most cemeteries to prevent ground settling; a basic liner is far less expensive than a decorative vault.
Ask for all three figures in writing before you commit, and remember these charges are separate from the funeral home’s bill. Our guide to funeral costs in Chicago explains how cemetery expenses fit into the total.
3. Rules, Headstones, and Visit Comfort
Every cemetery has rules about what can be placed on a grave — the type of marker (flush, upright, or both), permitted materials, and whether fresh flowers, artificial arrangements, or decorations are allowed year-round. Before choosing a plot, ask for a copy of the rules and visit the grounds. Notice the upkeep: is the grass mowed, the landscaping cared for, the grounds peaceful? A beautiful setting becomes a place your family will visit for generations.
4. Planning for the Whole Family
Many families purchase multiple plots together — for the couple, for children, or for extended family — to ensure they can be laid to rest near one another. Plot availability changes over time, and buying family plots together locks in location and current prices. It’s also a way to make burial wishes known to the next generation before an emergency forces the decision.
5. Buy Now, or Pre-Plan With Guidance
You can purchase a plot and make cemetery arrangements at any time — you don’t need to be planning a funeral. This is a natural part of funeral pre-planning, and it protects your family from making an emotional, costly choice in grief. When you pre-plan with us, we can help you compare cemeteries, understand the fees, and coordinate the paperwork. To begin exploring your options, contact our team — we’re here 24/7 to guide you through every step. Memory Eternal.
