Burial plot costs are one of those expenses most people never think about until they have to, and by then, the options can be overwhelming. In 2025, prices across major US cities have shifted more than many expect, and the gap between the most affordable and the most expensive locations is wider than ever.
Whether you are planning ahead for peace of mind or making arrangements for a loved one, knowing the real costs in your city can save you thousands and help you make decisions without added stress.
Our report dives deep into actual burial plot prices across the country, highlighting the trends, the outliers, and the factors that drive these costs up or down. If you want a clear, no-nonsense look at what you could be paying in your area, keep reading before you make a commitment that could drain your budget unnecessarily.
Burial Plot Costs Across Major US Cities
In New York City, Green-Wood Cemetery’s single graves run $21,000 to $30,000 per grave in 2025, with two-grave lots at $46,000 and premium single-grave lots at $30,000 or $40,000.
Across NYC’s private cemeteries, publicly posted 2025 ranges cluster between the high four figures and mid-five figures per grave, with Mount Ararat quoting “generally $8,000–$10,000 each” for grave rights.
The modeled NYC median for a standard single grave in a non-premium section across large private cemeteries in 2025 is $18,000–$22,000.
Modeled NYC double-depth rights add roughly 60%–70% to the underlying space price.
In Los Angeles County, Forest Lawn’s 2025 “interment property” starting prices vary sharply by park: Covina Hills $7,935, Cypress $7,935, Glendale $18,975, Hollywood Hills $17,537.50, and Long Beach $26,450.
Opening/closing (full-size remains) runs $2,425 per interment; cremated remains opening/closing runs $575.
Saturday interment add-on fee is $500.
Property transfer paperwork fee starts at $250; cemetery attendant fee is $275; church assistance fee is $500.
The modeled LA County median for a standard single grave is $9,000–$13,000 before opening/closing and vault requirements.
In Seattle, Calvary Cemetery lists full-body graves at $5,280–$14,225 and Holyrood at $2,705–$14,185, while Gethsemane runs $2,705–$11,800.
Opening/closing for concrete box or vault burials is $1,565; Saturday service fees are typically $1,295–$1,705.
You might also want to see the most visited cemeteries in the US and how location popularity could influence pricing and demand.
Niche prices range $1,380–$28,155, depending on location and finish.
Modeled Seattle metro median for a single grave is $6,000–$9,000.
In Boston’s suburbs, Newton Cemetery’s adult casket interment (opening/closing) is $2,650, not including the space.
In Massachusetts, community cemetery single graves often starts around $2,700.
Modeled Boston metro grave space pricing is $5,000–$12,000, with opening/closing adding $2,000–$3,000.
In Houston, Glenwood Cemetery states spaces “start at $15,500 per space.”
Memorial Oaks advertises ground-burial “pricing starting at $19,995.”
Private-party resales often list between $2,800 and $5,790 per plot.
The modeled Houston median for central/private cemeteries is $6,000–$10,000, with premium parks at $15,000–$20,000.
In Phoenix, a major corporate park lists ground-burial “pricing starting at $5,995.”
Modeled Phoenix single-grave median is $3,500–$7,500.
In Chicago, live listings for Rosehill show cemetery list prices around $4,795, with private resales at $2,250–$6,800.
Take a look at burial and cremation rates by state to better understand how industry demand varies across regions.
Modeled DC single-grave pricing is often five figures for historic grounds and high-single-to-low-five figures for suburban private parks.
Municipal benchmarks: Sioux City, IA, posts $1,665 for a standard grave space and $2,500 for a roadside space; infant spaces are $495.
Racine, WI, offers lot prices in the $1,800–$3,500 range.
Kalamazoo, MI, lists adult opening/closing at $1,375.
Norfolk, VA, shows adult grave openings at $1,300–$1,700, with ashes openings at $800–$1,000.
California statewide context shows typical plot prices at $2,000 low, $5,000 average, and premiums to $20,000+.
National averages put public cemetery plots at $1,000–$2,500 and private at $2,500–$5,000, with cremation plots $500–$2,000 and green-burial plots $1,000–$4,000.
Another national estimate quotes an average burial plot at $2,600.
New York City’s premium-lot pricing is more than triple Los Angeles’s lowest Forest Lawn entry price: Long Beach’s $26,450 starting property is ~3.33× Covina Hills’ $7,935 starting price.
Seattle’s Saturday service fees above $1,295 can impact weekend scheduling choices.
Seattle’s vault placement and overtime fees can add $500–$1,260 beyond base costs.
You can also explore funeral industry job statistics to see how employment and services are evolving in this sector.
Houston’s central private parks now rival or exceed LA’s mid-tier parks in 2025.
Phoenix’s $5,995 starting price keeps it among the more affordable large-metro benchmarks.
Boston’s $2,650 opening/closing is notably higher than Midwest municipal rates of $1,300–$1,900.
One New York private cemetery raised its “Plot 5 Baby Graves” to $3,500 from $3,300, a ~6.1% increase.
Modeled 2025 YoY change for urban-private grave spaces is +3% to +8%.
Double-depth rights are often priced at ~60% of the base right.
Permit, foundation, or vase fees can add $100–$1,000+.
Marker/monument setting and care-fund contributions can add $400–$1,360+.
Seasonal/winter fees can be $120–$130, and late-arrival fees are around $120.
Deed re-issue or transfer fees are typically $75–$300+.
Opening/closing for cremated remains is often $575 compared to $2,425 for casket burials.
Resale platforms show discounts of 20%–50% compared to direct cemetery list prices.
For families in high-cost metros, plot rights plus opening/closing and required vaults often add $4,000–$8,000 to funeral-home packages.
In Midwest municipalities and smaller cities, the all-in cemetery cost often runs $2,500–$4,500.
Source URLs
https://www.green-wood.com/full-price-list/
https://forestlawn.com/cemetery-funeral-arrangements/honest-pricing/ (PDF on page: https://forest-lawn.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FL-250111-01-LA-OC-GPL-English-v10-0304.pdf)
https://mycatholiccemetery.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ACC-Price-List-September-2024.pdf
https://www.newcemcorp.org/resources/price-schedule/
https://www.glenwoodcemetery.org/available-lots/
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/texas/houston/memorial-oaks-funeral-home/2673/cemetery
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/arizona/phoenix/phoenix-memorial-park-and-mortuary/7017/cemetery
https://rockcreekcemetery.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-PRICE-SHEET-FOR-ROCK-CREEK-CEMETERY-SERVICES.pdf
https://www.sioux-city.org/government/departments-g-p/parks-recreation-department/cemeteries/cemetery-fees
https://cityofracine.org/cemetery/cemetery-price-list/
https://www.kalamazoocity.org/Community/Cemeteries/Cemetery-Rates
https://www.norfolk.gov/4097/General-Price-List-PDF
https://www.buriallink.com/cemeteries/miami-memorial-park
https://thecemeteryexchange.com/tce-houston-tx.htm
https://www.funeralocity.com/blog/understanding-funeral-costs/
https://mlifeinsurance.com/graveyard-plot-prices/
https://www.meadowmemorials.com/blog/funeral-cost-guide-california/
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/06/09/green-wood-cemeterys-living-dead
