Funeral experts offer tips for choosing burial plots

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Experts advise people to request price and regulation lists from each cemetery they are considering for burial for themselves or their loved ones.

This paperwork should answer these and many more questions:

∎ Does the cemetery require a vault?

∎ Are there residency requirements?

∎ What are the rules governing plantings, flowers and other ornamental designs?

∎ Are headstones allowed?

∎ Will lots be opened in the winter?

∎ Will the cemetery buy back lots?

∎ Are green burials allowed?

People don’t think of many of these questions until they confront the issue after buying a lot, noted Jay Czelusniak, who runs his family-owned funeral parlor in Northampton.

He noted that many cemeteries facing increasing expenses are now starting to enforce rules that have been on the books for years — but never really followed.

“Each cemetery has their own little quirky set of rules and regulations,” Czelusniak said. “It’s not like they are hiding the rules, but a lot of times they only give answers to the questions you ask.”

Having the rules in writing at the time of purchase will also help protect consumers should the rules change in the future, Czelusniak said.

— CHAD CAIN