What is the Cost of Putting Ashes in a Cemetery in the U.S., and are There More Affordable Options?

As cremation becomes increasingly popular in the U.S., many families wonder what their options are for placing ashes in a cemetery and how much it will cost. Although cremation is generally less expensive than traditional burial, there are still associated costs when choosing to place ashes in a cemetery. This post will break down the different ways ashes can be placed in a cemetery, discuss average costs by state, and explore more affordable alternatives.

Ways to Place Ashes in a Cemetery

There are several options for placing cremated remains in a cemetery. Each option comes with its own price range, depending on the location and the cemetery itself.

1. Columbarium Niche

A columbarium is a structure, often made of stone or metal, that contains compartments or “niches” for urns. These niches are commonly found in cemetery walls or within mausoleums, allowing families to visit and pay respects to their loved ones in a dedicated area. Columbarium niches can vary greatly in cost depending on the cemetery’s location and the type of niche selected (e.g., indoor, outdoor, single, or companion).

Cost: $500–$5,000 per niche, depending on location and style.

2. Burial of the Urn

Another option is burying the urn in a traditional gravesite, similar to how a casket is buried. The urn is placed in a small vault or directly in the ground, and the burial may be marked with a headstone or plaque. Families often choose this option if they already have a family burial plot or prefer a permanent location for the ashes.

Cost: $500–$2,500, which includes the burial plot, the vault, and the burial process itself.

3. Scattering Gardens

Some cemeteries offer memorial gardens where ashes can be scattered in a dedicated space. These gardens are typically landscaped areas where families can scatter their loved one’s ashes in a peaceful, maintained environment. Often, there is an option to place a small memorial marker or plaque nearby.

Cost: $200–$1,000, depending on the cemetery and whether a plaque or memorial is included.

4. Memorial Garden Plots

Certain cemeteries offer smaller burial plots specifically designed for cremated remains. These plots are often located in a special section of the cemetery reserved for cremation, providing a dedicated space without the larger costs associated with traditional full-body burials.

Cost: $500–$3,000, including the cost of the plot and the interment process.

Here are those costs for the top 20 U.S. cIties:

Here’s the table with the top 20 U.S. cities alphabetized:

City	Columbarium Niche	Urn Burial Plot	Scattering Garden	Memorial Garden Plot
Austin, TX	$700 – $3,000	$800 – $2,000	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $2,500
Charlotte, NC	$700 – $3,000	$600 – $2,000	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $3,000
Chicago, IL	$1,000 – $3,500	$1,000 – $2,500	$500 – $1,800	$1,000 – $3,000
Columbus, OH	$500 – $2,500	$600 – $1,500	$200 – $1,200	$600 – $2,000
Dallas, TX	$700 – $3,000	$800 – $2,500	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $2,500
Denver, CO	$700 – $3,000	$600 – $2,000	$300 – $1,200	$700 – $3,000
Fort Worth, TX	$700 – $2,500	$600 – $2,000	$300 – $1,200	$700 – $2,500
Houston, TX	$700 – $3,000	$800 – $2,500	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $2,500
Indianapolis, IN	$600 – $2,500	$500 – $2,000	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
Jacksonville, FL	$700 – $3,000	$600 – $2,000	$400 – $1,500	$600 – $2,500
Los Angeles, CA	$1,500 – $4,500	$1,200 – $3,000	$600 – $2,000	$1,000 – $3,500
New York City, NY	$2,000 – $5,000	$1,500 – $3,500	$700 – $2,000	$1,200 – $4,000
Philadelphia, PA	$1,000 – $3,500	$900 – $2,500	$500 – $1,800	$1,000 – $3,000
Phoenix, AZ	$900 – $3,000	$800 – $2,000	$400 – $1,500	$900 – $3,000
San Antonio, TX	$600 – $2,500	$500 – $1,500	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
San Diego, CA	$1,200 – $4,000	$1,000 – $2,500	$500 – $2,000	$1,000 – $3,500
San Francisco, CA	$1,500 – $5,000	$1,200 – $3,500	$600 – $2,500	$1,200 – $4,000
San Jose, CA	$1,200 – $4,000	$1,000 – $2,500	$500 – $2,000	$1,000 – $3,500
Seattle, WA	$1,200 – $4,000	$1,000 – $2,500	$500 – $2,000	$1,000 – $3,000
Washington, D.C.	$1,000 – $4,000	$900 – $2,500	$500 – $2,000	$1,000 – $3,500

This should now be easier to scan by city name. Let me know if you need any other adjustments!

Average Costs by State for Placing Ashes in a Cemetery

Here’s a more comprehensive table that covers the average costs of placing ashes in a cemetery for all 50 states in the U.S. Please note these are general estimates and may vary depending on specific locations within each state:

State	Columbarium Niche	Urn Burial Plot	Scattering Garden	Memorial Garden Plot
Alabama	$600 – $2,500	$500 – $1,500	$300 – $1,200	$500 – $2,000
Alaska	$1,000 – $3,500	$900 – $2,500	$500 – $2,000	$1,000 – $3,000
Arizona	$900 – $3,000	$800 – $2,000	$400 – $1,500	$900 – $3,000
Arkansas	$500 – $2,000	$400 – $1,500	$200 – $1,000	$500 – $2,000
California	$1,500 – $5,000	$1,000 – $3,000	$500 – $2,000	$1,000 – $4,000
Colorado	$700 – $3,000	$600 – $2,000	$300 – $1,200	$700 – $3,000
Connecticut	$1,200 – $4,000	$1,000 – $3,000	$500 – $1,800	$1,000 – $3,500
Delaware	$900 – $3,000	$800 – $2,000	$300 – $1,500	$900 – $3,000
Florida	$1,000 – $4,000	$800 – $2,000	$400 – $1,500	$800 – $3,000
Georgia	$700 – $3,000	$600 – $1,500	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
Hawaii	$1,200 – $5,000	$1,000 – $3,000	$500 – $2,000	$1,000 – $4,000
Idaho	$500 – $2,500	$500 – $1,500	$200 – $1,000	$500 – $2,000
Illinois	$900 – $3,500	$1,000 – $2,500	$400 – $1,500	$900 – $3,000
Indiana	$600 – $3,000	$500 – $2,000	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
Iowa	$500 – $2,500	$500 – $1,500	$200 – $1,000	$500 – $2,000
Kansas	$500 – $2,500	$500 – $1,500	$200 – $1,000	$500 – $2,000
Kentucky	$500 – $2,500	$500 – $1,500	$200 – $1,200	$500 – $2,000
Louisiana	$700 – $3,000	$600 – $2,000	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $3,000
Maine	$600 – $2,500	$500 – $1,500	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
Maryland	$900 – $3,500	$800 – $2,500	$400 – $1,500	$900 – $3,000
Massachusetts	$1,200 – $4,500	$1,000 – $3,500	$500 – $2,000	$1,200 – $4,000
Michigan	$800 – $3,000	$700 – $2,000	$400 – $1,500	$800 – $3,000
Minnesota	$600 – $3,000	$500 – $2,000	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
Mississippi	$500 – $2,500	$400 – $1,500	$200 – $1,200	$500 – $2,000
Missouri	$600 – $3,000	$500 – $2,000	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
Montana	$500 – $2,500	$400 – $1,500	$200 – $1,200	$500 – $2,000
Nebraska	$500 – $2,500	$400 – $1,500	$200 – $1,000	$500 – $2,000
Nevada	$800 – $3,000	$700 – $2,000	$300 – $1,500	$800 – $3,000
New Hampshire	$900 – $3,500	$800 – $2,500	$400 – $1,500	$900 – $3,000
New Jersey	$1,200 – $4,000	$1,000 – $3,000	$500 – $2,000	$1,200 – $4,000
New Mexico	$600 – $2,500	$500 – $1,500	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
New York	$2,000 – $5,000	$1,500 – $3,500	$700 – $2,000	$1,200 – $4,000
North Carolina	$700 – $3,000	$600 – $2,000	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $3,000
North Dakota	$500 – $2,000	$400 – $1,500	$200 – $1,000	$500 – $2,000
Ohio	$500 – $2,500	$600 – $1,500	$200 – $1,200	$600 – $2,000
Oklahoma	$500 – $2,000	$400 – $1,500	$200 – $1,000	$500 – $2,000
Oregon	$700 – $3,000	$600 – $2,000	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $3,000
Pennsylvania	$800 – $3,500	$700 – $2,500	$400 – $1,500	$800 – $3,000
Rhode Island	$900 – $3,500	$800 – $2,500	$400 – $1,500	$900 – $3,000
South Carolina	$600 – $3,000	$500 – $1,500	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
South Dakota	$500 – $2,000	$400 – $1,500	$200 – $1,000	$500 – $2,000
Tennessee	$700 – $3,000	$600 – $2,000	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $3,000
Texas	$700 – $3,000	$800 – $2,500	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $3,000
Utah	$500 – $2,500	$400 – $1,500	$200 – $1,200	$500 – $2,000
Vermont	$600 – $3,000	$500 – $1,500	$300 – $1,200	$600 – $2,500
Virginia	$700 – $3,500	$600 – $2,500	$300 – $1,500	$700 – $3,000
Washington	$1,200 – $4,000	$1,000 – $2,500	$500 – $2,000	$1,000 – $3,000
West Virginia	$500 – $2,500

(Note: These costs are estimates and can vary depending on the specific cemetery or location within each state.)

More Affordable Alternatives to Cemetery Placement

While placing ashes in a cemetery provides a permanent and traditional resting place, there are several alternatives that may be more affordable or offer unique ways to memorialize a loved one.

1. Scattering Ashes in a Meaningful Location

Rather than placing ashes in a cemetery, many families choose to scatter ashes in a location that holds personal significance. This could be in a favorite park, near the ocean, or on private property. Be sure to check local laws and regulations regarding ash scattering in public places.

Cost: Typically free or minimal if done on private property or in areas that allow scattering.

2. Keeping the Urn at Home

For some, keeping the ashes in an urn at home offers a more intimate and personal way to honor a loved one. Urns can be simple or ornate, depending on personal preference, and can be displayed in a special place within the home.

Cost: $50–$500 for an urn, depending on material and design.

3. Memorializing Ashes in Jewelry or Artwork

Another option is incorporating the ashes into memorial jewelry or artwork. This allows family members to carry a piece of their loved one with them or display a unique and personal tribute in their home.

Cost: $100–$3,000 depending on the type of jewelry or artwork.

4. Donation to a Memorial Reef

Some families choose to contribute ashes to an environmentally friendly memorial reef project, where the ashes are incorporated into the structure of an artificial reef that helps support marine life.