Consumer Guide to Cemeteries

The following Pennsylvania Consumer's Guide to Cemeteries is a voluntary effort of PCCFA to help the consumers of Pennsylvania to make informed purchasing decisions in both the Pre-need and At-need environments.

Types of Contracts

Consumers should be aware of the two types of contracts or agreements made with cemeteries.

A pre-need contract is for a purchase made prior to death and may include burial goods and services such as opening/closing of graves, caskets, vaults and memorialization (upright monuments or flush monuments.

Pre-need contracts can be entered into with a cemetery, a funeral home, a monument dealer, a retail casket company or other provider.

An at-need contract is for purchases made after a death has occurred. They can be for the items noted above and with the same parties as noted above.

Endowment or "perpetual care"

Endowment care, sometimes called "perpetual care", is the maintenance of the cemetery and its grounds, roads, features, and buildings including mausoleums. It does not include the care of monuments or flush memorials unless a separate care fund is noted and stated in your contract. Any cemetery that states or implies that it offers endowment or "perpetual care" is required to set aside funds with a trustee which can only be used for the maintenance purposes. The care of the cemetery may be limited to the extent of the funds earned and available based on the income earned by the trust funds which are set aside.

Other Information

Cemetery cost are generally not included in the funeral costs. They are separate and you should discuss them with the cemetery you select.

Helpful Hints

Ask if the cemetery and the representative are licensed with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

Ask to see a copy of the price list of the following:

• Ground opening and closing.
• Extra depth interments.
• Mausoleum entombments.
• Entombment or inurnment of cremated remains.

Ask for a range of prices for:

• Burial Spaces.
• Other burial goods.

Ask for a balanced presentation of the burial spaces or burial goods.

Ask if the cemetery ha an endowment care fund to maintain the grounds.

Ask if the contract provides for delivery before death. Be sure the following disclosures are made before signing a contract:

• The cost for each item is separately itemized.
• The specific location of any spaces purchased are noted. If your specific location is not selected at the time of purchase, be sure to visit the cemetery within 30 days to make a specific space selection.
• A copy of the cemetery flower policy is received.

Obtain a copy of the signed contract which includes the date, the names of the buyer(s), the seller, all items purchased and any finance charges involved, including the APR and length of payments.

You may cancel any contract that was signed in your home by written notice received by the seller within 3 business days. Your contract should indicate your cancellation rights.

Still have questions?

For more information or to register a complaint please contact PCCFA using our contact form.

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100 South 21st Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
717-236-9970 Tel   717-238-2799 Fax