Cemeteries make money by selling goods and services, like burial plots, headstones, and grave digging services. Gravestones can be simple or more elaborate. But a headstone must be securely placed to last. To minimize the money that they have to set aside, many cemetery owners offer inexpensive plots as a loss leader, then make up their profits from other services. Cemeteries might partner with flower shops to create a funeral network.
Starting a Cemetery Business
Some entrepreneurs may wonder how to open a private cemetery in Russia for burial of people. However, currently the law does not allow this type of private activity.
Ongoing Cemetery Operations
What are the ongoing expenses for a cemetery business? Costs include staff salaries, land maintenance, organizing burial activities, licenses, researching products, and advertising.
Full Cemeteries’ Revenue Strategies
The primary way cemeteries remain open when full is by withdrawing funds from their perpetual care trusts. Not every cemetery has its own funeral home. But many graveyard businesses partner up with funeral homes and earn referrals.
Typical Costs
- $1,000 for a plot
- $750 for transportation
- $1,100 for cremation
- $1,750 for a headstone
If the grave owner has died, ownership must transfer to a living owner before more burials. Yes, you can put your own headstone in most areas, as long as you follow the cemetery’s rules.