Buying a funeral plot seems like a one-time purchase—something you do once, for peace of mind. But across the country, families are learning the hard way that this assumption can come at a high cost. Many are shocked to discover they’ve been billed for not just one burial plot, but two or more, without ever realizing it.
Whether through contract confusion, aggressive sales tactics, or outdated cemetery practices, consumers can end up spending double what they intended, all while believing they’ve prepared responsibly for the future.
It Starts With Assumptions About “Companion Plots”
One of the most common sources of confusion involves so-called “companion plots.” These are burial sites intended for two individuals, often a couple, placed side-by-side or, in some cases, stacked in a single plot.
What many people don’t realize is that companion plots are frequently sold as two separate purchases. The layout may appear unified, but the cemetery can bill each space individually, even when sold as a package. If only one contract is reviewed carefully, a surviving spouse or child may assume the second plot is already paid for, when it’s not. This misunderstanding can leave grieving families stuck with a second invoice during a vulnerable time.
Stacked Plots Aren’t Always a Bargain
Some cemeteries offer what’s called “double-depth” or “stacked” burial, where one person is interred on top of another within a single gravesite. While this is pitched as a cost-effective and space-saving option, it’s not always cheaper than buying two separate side-by-side plots.
In fact, many cemeteries charge additional fees for excavation, vault sealing, and future access if a second burial occurs later. Families often assume these services are included in the original purchase price, but they’re not. These costs may not be due until years later, catching survivors by surprise when a second funeral is needed.
Cemetery Contracts Are Rarely Reviewed, Until It’s Too Late
The complexity of cemetery contracts can’t be overstated. They often contain clauses about plot “rights,” opening and closing fees, maintenance obligations, and future internment permissions. And yet, most people never consult a lawyer before signing.
Worse, families often keep paperwork in home filing cabinets or safety deposit boxes without clearly communicating the details to others. When the time comes, children or spouses may assume a plot is fully paid for based on vague memories or incomplete paperwork, and only learn otherwise at the funeral home or cemetery office.
You May Be Paying for a Plot That’s Already Covered by a Prepaid Plan
Some individuals prepay for funeral services through bundled plans that include burial plots, but later purchase a second plot separately out of confusion or lack of coordination with loved ones. In blended families or when older adults move between states, it’s not uncommon for multiple plots to be purchased for the same individual.
This is especially true when adult children try to be proactive, not realizing their parent has already handled burial arrangements decades earlier in another city or through a funeral home package. The result? One person, two plots, and no refund in sight.
Cemeteries Often Don’t Notify You of Existing Ownership
Even if your family already owns a plot within a cemetery, there’s no requirement for the staff to check or inform you before selling you another. Their records may not flag shared family ownership unless you ask specifically. Many cemeteries have little incentive to turn down a new sale, even if your family is entitled to space nearby.
In some cases, families have unknowingly purchased new plots just feet away from already-owned sites, all because no one was aware, or the records weren’t easily accessible.
Beware of “Right of Interment” Loopholes
Buying a burial plot doesn’t always mean you own the land. In many cemeteries, what you’re actually purchasing is the right to be interred in a specific location, not the land itself. This nuance opens the door to complications.
For example, some contracts state that a second interment (such as a spouse) requires an additional purchase or new paperwork, even if the plot is labeled “companion.” If that second agreement isn’t made or documented, your family may be asked to pay again, or worse, denied the space entirely.
Plot Transfers and Resale Are Harder Than They Seem
You might think having two plots is no big deal. You’ll just sell or transfer one later. But resale isn’t always easy. Cemeteries often charge transfer fees or restrict private resales altogether. In some regions, plots must be offered back to the cemetery first, usually at a fraction of the original purchase price.
Even listing a plot for sale requires correct documentation and verification from the cemetery, a process most people aren’t familiar with. Many families never follow through, meaning that the second plot just sits unused and unpaid for.
Some Cemeteries Charge “Perpetual Care” on Both
Even if a plot is never used, you might still be charged annual or one-time “perpetual care” fees for both plots. These fees are supposed to cover landscaping, maintenance, and general upkeep, but they can apply to every interment right you hold, whether it’s for you, your spouse, or someone who never ends up buried there.
It’s possible to spend hundreds or even thousands over the years on maintenance for a plot that no one in your family will ever use—all because it was purchased unnecessarily or prematurely.
How to Find Out If You’re Paying for Two Plots
If you’ve handled funeral planning or have a family member who has, take the time to:
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Review cemetery purchase contracts in full
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Contact the cemetery directly to confirm how many plots are owned and under whose name
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Ask if each interment has its own contract, deed, or record
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Inquire about additional fees associated with double-depth or companion burial
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Compare any prepaid funeral plans with cemetery records to check for overlap
Don’t assume the matter is settled just because you “took care of it years ago.” Mistakes happen, especially across decades and multiple family members.
Don’t Let a Double Plot Become a Double Problem
End-of-life planning is meant to ease the burden on your loved ones, not add to it. But failing to understand how funeral plots are sold, recorded, and billed can result in costly surprises. You might be paying for two plots when you only needed one, or worse, think you’re covered when you’re not.
Have you ever had to untangle confusing funeral or cemetery arrangements for a loved one? What did you discover? Share your experience in the comments.
Read More:
How Funeral Homes Quietly Mark Up Prices for the Elderly
9 Funeral Costs That Spark The Biggest Family Fights
Riley Jones is an Arizona native with over nine years of writing experience. From personal finance to travel to digital marketing to pop culture, she’s written about everything under the sun. When she’s not writing, she’s spending her time outside, reading, or cuddling with her two corgis.
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