When it comes to interring cremated remains in cemeteries, families have several options depending on their preferences, budget, and the cemetery’s location. Options range from scattering ashes in dedicated gardens to placing urns in columbariums or burial plots. Costs can vary widely based on these choices and where the cemetery is located—whether in an urban, suburban, or rural area. This guide outlines the primary choices available for ashes in U.S. cemeteries and explores cost ranges across regions and cities.
Options for Placing Ashes in a Cemetery
Cemeteries offer various ways to honor and inter cremated remains, allowing families to choose what best reflects their wishes and budget. Here are the most common options:
Scattering Gardens
Scattering gardens are dedicated areas within cemeteries where ashes can be scattered in a landscaped setting. Many families appreciate this choice for its peacefulness, as the ashes become part of the environment. Cemeteries may charge for the use of their gardens, which often include a plaque or marker to commemorate the deceased. Scattering gardens are among the more affordable options.
Burying Ashes in a Plot
Some families prefer to bury an urn in a burial plot, offering a more traditional approach. Burial plots for ashes are typically smaller than those for casket burials and may cost less. However, families should also factor in opening and closing fees and possibly a one-time maintenance fee, depending on the cemetery. This option is common in both urban and rural cemeteries.
Columbarium Niches
A columbarium is a structure with individual niches designed for urns. Niches may be located indoors or outdoors, often in an accessible and beautifully maintained area of the cemetery. Costs for columbarium niches can vary significantly, influenced by factors like location within the cemetery, whether the niche is indoor or outdoor, and additional options such as plaques or personalization.
Memorial Gardens
Similar to scattering gardens, memorial gardens are landscaped areas where ashes can be buried. They offer a serene setting and may include plaques or small monuments. Memorial gardens are popular with families who prefer not to scatter ashes but want a meaningful space to visit and remember.
Other Options
Some cemeteries may offer more unique interment options, such as family vaults or mausoleums for cremated remains. While these are less common, they provide a personalized approach for families who want a distinctive resting place for their loved one’s ashes.
National Cost Averages by Option
This table provides a snapshot of the average costs across the U.S. for each interment option, helping families understand what to expect based on their choice.
| Interment Option in the U.S. | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Scattering Garden | $300 – $2,500 |
| Burial Plot | $1,000 – $8,000 |
| Columbarium Niche | $1,200 – $12,000 |
| Memorial Garden | $1,000 – $5,000 |
Cost to Place Ashes in a Cemetery by State
| State | Scattering Garden Cost | Burial Plot Cost | Columbarium Niche Cost | Memorial Garden Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $300 – $1,500 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Alaska | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,000 | $1,500 – $6,000 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Arizona | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Arkansas | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| California | $700 – $3,000 | $2,000 – $8,000 | $2,500 – $10,000 | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Colorado | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $6,500 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Connecticut | $600 – $2,500 | $1,800 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $7,000 | $1,300 – $3,800 |
| Delaware | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Florida | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,000 | $1,800 – $6,000 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Georgia | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Hawaii | $600 – $2,500 | $1,800 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $7,000 | $1,300 – $3,800 |
| Idaho | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Illinois | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $6,500 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Indiana | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Iowa | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Kansas | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Kentucky | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Louisiana | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Maine | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $6,500 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Maryland | $600 – $2,500 | $1,800 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $7,000 | $1,300 – $3,800 |
| Massachusetts | $600 – $2,500 | $1,800 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $7,000 | $1,300 – $3,800 |
| Michigan | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $6,500 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Minnesota | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $6,500 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Mississippi | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Missouri | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Montana | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Nebraska | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Nevada | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| New Hampshire | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $6,500 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| New Jersey | $600 – $2,500 | $1,800 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $7,000 | $1,300 – $3,800 |
| New Mexico | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| New York | $700 – $3,000 | $2,000 – $8,000 | $2,500 – $10,000 | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| North Carolina | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| North Dakota | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Ohio | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Oklahoma | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Oregon | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $6,500 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $600 – $2,500 | $1,800 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $7,000 | $1,300 – $3,800 |
| Rhode Island | $600 – $2,500 | $1,800 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $7,000 | $1,300 – $3,800 |
| South Carolina | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| South Dakota | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Tennessee | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Texas | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Utah | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Vermont | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $6,500 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Virginia | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Washington | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $6,500 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| West Virginia | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Wisconsin | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| Wyoming | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Territory | Scattering Garden Cost | Burial Plot Cost | Columbarium Niche Cost | Memorial Garden Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | $300 – $1,500 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Guam | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | $500 – $2,000 | $1,500 – $5,000 | $1,500 – $6,000 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| American Samoa | $350 – $1,600 | $1,000 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | $400 – $1,800 | $1,200 – $4,500 | $1,300 – $5,500 | $1,100 – $3,200 |
| District of Columbia | $500 – $2,500 | $1,500 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $7,000 | $1,300 – $3,800 |
Cost by Top 20 Cities
Thi stable contains the cost of placing ashes in a cemetery in the top 20 U.S. cities.
| City | Scattering Garden Cost | Burial Plot Cost | Columbarium Niche Cost | Memorial Garden Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $400 – $3,500 | $1,000 – $8,000 | $1,500 – $10,000 | $1,200 – $4,500 |
| Charlotte, NC | $500 – $4,000 | $900 – $7,500 | $1,200 – $10,000 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Chicago, IL | $500 – $4,500 | $1,000 – $8,500 | $1,500 – $15,000 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Columbus, OH | $400 – $4,000 | $1,000 – $9,000 | $1,200 – $11,000 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Dallas, TX | $500 – $3,000 | $1,000 – $7,000 | $1,500 – $10,000 | $1,200 – $4,500 |
| Denver, CO | $500 – $4,500 | $1,200 – $10,000 | $2,000 – $15,000 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $400 – $3,500 | $1,200 – $7,500 | $1,500 – $12,000 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Houston, TX | $500 – $4,500 | $1,000 – $10,000 | $1,200 – $10,000 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $500 – $4,000 | $1,500 – $11,000 | $1,500 – $15,000 | $1,200 – $4,500 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $300 – $3,000 | $1,000 – $7,500 | $1,200 – $10,000 | $900 – $3,500 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $300 – $3,000 | $700 – $6,000 | $1,200 – $10,000 | $1,200 – $5,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $500 – $5,000 | $1,500 – $11,000 | $1,500 – $15,000 | $1,200 – $4,500 |
| New York, NY | $700 – $6,000 | $1,200 – $10,000 | $2,500 – $18,000 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $600 – $4,500 | $1,000 – $8,000 | $1,500 – $12,000 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $500 – $4,000 | $900 – $8,000 | $1,200 – $11,000 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| San Antonio, TX | $400 – $4,000 | $1,000 – $9,000 | $2,000 – $15,000 | $1,200 – $4,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $700 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $12,000 | $2,500 – $19,000 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | $600 – $5,000 | $1,500 – $11,000 | $1,500 – $14,000 | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| San Jose, CA | $500 – $4,500 | $1,500 – $11,000 | $1,800 – $15,000 | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Seattle, WA | $400 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $10,000 | $1,800 – $15,000 | $1,200 – $4,000 |
| Washington, D.C. | $500 – $5,000 | $1,000 – $8,000 | $1,500 – $12,000 | $1,200 – $4,500 |
Sources:
The data provided in the tables on this page reflects average cost estimates for various interment options across the United States, compiled from general funeral industry sources, cemetery price surveys, and online resource guides. These ranges represent typical costs as of Nov. 2024 and are intended to give families a general idea of what to expect; actual prices may vary based on location, provider, and specific service details.
