Not too long ago, Betty (not her real name) came to me to plan a funeral service for her husband who was a ill critically. My heart deeply grieved, both for her loss and the blow of a financial responsibility upon knowing that she doesn’t anything in place. I found most disheartening was her uneducated purchase of a cemetery plot from a private party that I thought I should share to everyone immediately. Don’t’ get me wrong; I am not against purchasing from a private property. But what are the considerations on buying a plot from a private party?
#1 Know the current prices
Poor Betty thought she made a deal, but it was the seller who made the deal. She was told the plot was purchased for $5k, some five years ago. Betty purchased the plot for four thousand dollars cash and paid fully! If Betty did her due diligence, she could have saved her substantially considering that she was paying cash in full amount. The hefty interest rate the seller paid was passed on to Betty.
#2 Know what you are buying
Of course, you have too, but a plot needs a marker, a marker installation , an opening and closing,or maybe a vault. These must be reviewed carefully. Betty needs additional four thousand dollars to make the plot useable.
#3 Know what you really want
Why? Because you may not need a plot! Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the details before the need. An elaborate service will definitely be more pricey. Betty was uninformed and unprepared that in the end, because of overwhelming decisions to make decided to pursue with cremation leaving her purchase of the plot unnecessary. That was disheartening.
Edna Navarro
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