How to Sell a Burial Plot

Co-authored by Arun Ghosh

Last Updated: December 5, 2024 Approved

Some people own part of a family burial plot while others purchase a plot in advance to prepare for the future. In spite of these preparations, life changes such as divorce, family disputes, relocation, a change in religious beliefs, or simple changes in mortuary preferences can make a previously purchased plot undesirable. In these cases, knowing how to sell a burial plot may be necessary. Learning how to sell a burial plot can help you take an active role in the process and ensure the rapid sale of an unwanted burial plot.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Determining if You Can Sell a Plot

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1
Check your state's laws. The laws governing a burial plot's sale or transfer vary greatly from one municipality to the next. Burial plot brokerages often go unregulated in the United States, but some states' comptrollers offices regulate cemeteries and the transfer of plots.^{[1]
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- Some states require that an individual selling his burial plot must first offer to sell the plot back to the cemetery before a private sale or brokerage can take place.^{[2]
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  Research source} Contact your city's comptroller office, or search online for burial plot sales laws in your area.
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Know your cemetery's status. Even in places with existing laws that cover burial plot sales, there may be specific requirements that depend on the specific cemetery in question. For example, in New York, burial plots are supposed to be sold or transferred by the cemetery that houses those plots. However, cemeteries owned by religious institutions are considered outside the laws that govern not-for-profit cemeteries, and such sales or transfers are perfectly legal.^{[3]
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- Even if the law permits burial plot sales in your state, and the cemetery qualifies for such a sale, it's still best to confirm that the cemetery will honor such a transfer of ownership.^{[4]
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Check your local market. Assuming that your state, town, and cemetery all permit the transfer of ownership for burial plots, you may still have a hard time selling yours. Many people shy away from buying burial plots "second hand," while other places have an over-flooded market of people trying to sell their plots.^{[5]
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- Search for burial plots online, and see if there are a lot of existing advertisements. You should also check the dates on those advertisements to determine whether they tend to have a fast turnaround time.
- Where you live is the biggest factor in determining how successful your sale will be. Burial plots tend to sell the fastest, and net the most money, in places where people move to retire. In the United States, that means retirement destinations like Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas are often hot markets.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Selling Back to the Cemetery

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Identify the cemetery's sexton. The sexton, or manager, is in charge of overseeing many transactions and arrangements for burial plots in the cemetery. The first step in arranging a cemetery buy-back is to identify who your cemetery's sexton is.
- Search the cemetery's website for a directory or contact information. The website should list who the manager or sexton is.
- If you cannot determine who the sexton is using the cemetery's website, you can try visiting the cemetery's main office in person.
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Inquire about buybacks. It may feel awkward to ask a cemetery employee about buying back your plot, but it happens quite often and is nothing to be embarrassed about. Not all cemeteries will engage in buybacks, but many do. If your cemetery offers buybacks, the sexton/manager will be the best person to speak with.^{[7]
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- Generally speaking, cemeteries are not obligated to engage in a buyback. However, many cemeteries will buy unused plots back, or at least recognize an outside sale.^{[8]
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If the cemetery offers buybacks, the sexton/manager will most likely be the person to make the arrangements. In completing the transaction, the sexton will most likely consider how much you paid for the plot, how much it will be worth on the market today if sold to a new buyer, and arrive at a financial offer for you.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Selling a Plot Online

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Choose an advertising service. There are many options for selling a burial plot online. You can use a specialized service, such as Grave Solutions or Plot Brokers, or place your own ad on free websites like Craigslist and Ebay.^{[10]
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- Placing your own ad can be advantageous, as there are no fees or costs to the seller.^{[11]
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- Working through a brokerage service can also be advantageous, as they take much of the work out of selling your plot. Brokerage services typically charge either a monthly advertising fee, a percentage of the final transaction, or a combination of the two.^{[12]
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It may sound a bit strange, but photographs can be an important factor in a buyer's decision. Many burial plot listings feature descriptions paired with photographs so that prospective buyers can get a comprehensive understanding of the plot before they decide to purchase it.^{[13]
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Research source} Some people want a plot that is in a shaded area, for example, while others may worry about whether or not the plot location is prone to flooding.
Your ad should clearly state the name of the cemetery, as well as the section, plot, and grave number.^{[14]
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It's best to bring in a lawyer to help with the paperwork, as there will be a great deal of variance from one county, state, or country to another. Different municipalities have different requirements. Generally speaking, the paperwork you use to complete the sale should specify the location of the burial plot and a clear transfer of ownership. You may wish to secure a signature from a cemetery representative as well, so that the buyer feels comfortable with the purchase he is making.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What other websites can I use to sell my burial plot of land?

Arun Ghosh
Real Estate Expert
Arun Ghosh is a Real Estate Expert and Licensee with over five years of experience, specializing in commercial real estate. He recently received a certification in Commercial Real Estate Analysis and Investment from the MIT School of Architecture and Planning. As the founder of Hutfin.com, Arun created an online marketplace designed to streamline the selling and buying of commercial property. Previously, he worked as a certified Cloud Architect and DevOps Engineer and is a member of prestigious organizations such as REIN, ISACA, EC-Council, and PMI. He has also served as a U.S. Army Officer. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Kerala and a Master's Degree from the Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida.

Arun Ghosh

Real Estate Expert

Expert Answer

Another great site for selling burial plots of land is Zillow. Though it's mainly known for residential real estate, Zillow also allows you to list burial plots. Plus, when you list on Zillow, your ad also gets exposure on its affiliate sites, such as Trulia, so it spreads and has more visibility to people.

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Question

Can a simple sales receipt that has been notarized work with burial plots?

Danny Vela

Community Answer

As proof of ownership? No. At time of need, they will require proof of transfer. It has to be deeded to the new buyer.

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Question

The cemetery said they would only purchase my plot at the original purchase price. Is this normal?

Danny Vela

Community Answer

Cemeteries can buy back if they want and they set the prices. You are better off selling it through a third party source. (Craigslist, for example). To sell a plot, you need to write the ad in a very unique and appealing way. Usually people don't react to cemetery ads.

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