Cemetery Plot Types Explained: Single, Companion, Family, Crypts & More
The full taxonomy of cemetery interment options — single plots, companion plots, family plots, lawn crypts, mausoleums, niches, and columbariums — with prices and tradeoffs.
When you buy a cemetery plot, you’re not just choosing a location — you’re choosing a type of interment. Each type has different costs, different appearances above ground, different capacity, and different practical considerations. This guide walks through all seven main options so you can decide which fits your situation.
The seven main interment options
| Type | Holds | Typical cost | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single plot | 1 casket | $1,000–$10,000 | In-ground |
| Companion (double) plot | 2 caskets | $4,000–$15,000 | In-ground |
| Family plot | 4–8 caskets | $8,000–$25,000+ | In-ground |
| Lawn crypt | 1–2 caskets | $1,500–$8,000 | In-ground |
| Mausoleum crypt | 1 casket | $7,000–$20,000+ | Above-ground |
| Private mausoleum | 2–12+ caskets | $50,000–$500,000+ | Above-ground |
| Cremation niche | 1–2 urns | $500–$3,000 | Columbarium |
Prices reflect 2026 ranges for U.S. cemeteries. Urban areas, premium memorial parks, and California’s Bay Area and Los Angeles sit at the top of every range. For the full pricing breakdown including hidden burial costs, see our cemetery plot cost guide.
Single plot
The most common cemetery plot type: one casket, buried in the ground. Looks like a standard grave from above — a marker or headstone at the head, lawn over the burial site. Single plots are the default option for most cemeteries and the cheapest in-ground burial.
Best for: One person. Most adults considering a traditional burial.
Companion (double) plot
Two caskets, configured in one of two ways:
- Side-by-side companion: Two adjacent single plots, one casket per plot. Two markers, two graves visually.
- Double-depth companion: One plot footprint with two caskets stacked vertically. One marker. Cheaper because it uses half the land.
Best for: Married couples or partners. Most cemeteries discount companion pricing 20–40% compared to two separate singles.
Family plot
A group of adjacent plots — most commonly 4 or 6 — sold together as a package. Configured as side-by-side singles, multiple doubles, or a mix that may include cremation niches. Family plots are often discounted 10–25% compared to buying the same plots individually.
Best for: Families that want to be buried together. Increasingly popular to include cremation niches in the configuration, which adds capacity without taking more land.
Lawn crypt
A pre-installed in-ground burial chamber. From above it looks like a normal grave — grass and a flush marker — but the casket sits in a pre-cast concrete chamber rather than being lowered into an excavated grave with a separately purchased vault. The vault is built in, which can save money compared to buying a plot plus a separate vault.
Best for: Buyers who prefer the look of a traditional ground burial but want the structural protection of a sealed chamber. Common at modern memorial parks.
Mausoleum crypt
Above-ground burial inside a stone or concrete structure. The casket is placed in a sealed chamber (the crypt) within the mausoleum wall. Crypts are typically stacked vertically, with “heart” level (eye-height) crypts costing more than upper or lower levels.
Best for: Buyers who prefer above-ground burial, families who want to visit without standing on a grave, or anyone with religious or cultural preferences for mausoleum interment. Typically 2–4x the cost of a ground plot.
Private mausoleum
A free-standing structure designed for a single family. Can hold from 2 to 12+ caskets plus cremation niches, depending on size. Designed and built per the family’s specifications, including architectural style, stained glass, and interior detail.
Best for: Families with a long-term burial plan and substantial budget. Cost ranges from $50,000 for a small structure to $500,000+ for elaborate designs. Also requires cemetery approval of the structure and a long-term maintenance arrangement.
Cremation niche / columbarium
A small compartment designed to hold one or two cremation urns. Niches are housed inside a columbarium — typically a wall or structure with many niches, often inside a mausoleum or in a dedicated cremation garden area.
Niche options vary:
- Solid-front niche: Sealed front, name and dates inscribed on the cover. Cheapest niche option.
- Glass-front niche: Glass cover so the urn is visible. More expensive, but allows for personal items and memorial display.
- Companion niche: Larger niche designed to hold two urns.
- Garden niche: Outdoor niche, often in a wall surrounding a memorial garden.
Best for: Anyone planning cremation. The cheapest cemetery interment option by a wide margin.
How to choose between them
Decide in this order:
- Burial or cremation? If cremation, you’re choosing between a niche, an urn buried in a plot, or scattering. If burial, continue.
- Above-ground or in-ground? Above-ground (mausoleum crypts, private mausoleums) cost significantly more but appeal to many buyers for religious, cultural, or aesthetic reasons.
- For how many people? One person → single. Couple → companion. Family → family plot or private mausoleum.
- What’s your budget? Filter the remaining options by what fits your range. A companion plot at one cemetery may cost the same as a family plot at another.
- What does the cemetery actually have? Not every cemetery offers every type. Especially for mausoleum crypts and private mausoleums, availability varies widely.
Once you know what type you want, browse California cemetery plots for sale to see what’s actually available at the cemeteries you’re considering — both directly from cemeteries and from private owners on the resale market.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a single and a companion plot?
- A single plot holds one casket. A companion plot holds two — either side-by-side (two graves next to each other) or double-depth (two caskets stacked vertically in the same plot footprint). Double-depth companion plots are usually cheaper than two single plots because they use one piece of land.
- What is a mausoleum crypt?
- A mausoleum crypt is an above-ground burial space inside a stone or concrete structure called a mausoleum. The casket is placed in a sealed chamber rather than buried in the ground. Mausoleum crypts are usually 2–4x the price of a comparable ground plot.
- What is the cheapest cemetery interment option?
- A cremation niche in a columbarium is almost always the least expensive option, typically $500–$3,000. The next-cheapest is a single ground plot in a public or municipal cemetery, usually $1,000–$2,500.
- What is a lawn crypt?
- A lawn crypt is a pre-installed in-ground burial chamber, usually concrete, that holds one or two caskets. It looks like a regular ground plot from above (with grass on top) but the casket is enclosed in a pre-set vault. Often slightly more expensive than a standard plot but eliminates the need to purchase a separate burial vault.
- Can I bury cremated remains in a regular cemetery plot?
- Yes, in most cemeteries. A single plot can hold one casket plus one or two cremation urns, or several urns alone — exact rules vary by cemetery. Combining is a common way to keep multiple family members together in one plot.
- What is a family plot?
- A family plot is a group of adjacent plots (typically 4–8) sold together at a discount. They can be configured as side-by-side singles, doubles, or a mix that includes cremation niches. Useful when multiple family members want to be buried together.
- What is a columbarium?
- A columbarium is a wall of small compartments (niches) designed to hold cremation urns. Niches range from small basic compartments to large glass-front displays that let the urn be visible. Columbariums are usually located inside mausoleums or in dedicated cremation garden areas.
- How do I know which plot type is right for me?
- Start with three questions: How many people will be buried here? What is your budget? Do you prefer ground burial or above-ground? A single plot is the default for one person; a companion plot for couples; a family plot for 3+ family members; cremation niches if you’re cremating; mausoleum crypts if you prefer above-ground burial and have the budget.
Keep reading
How to Buy a Cemetery Plot
Everything you need to know about buying a cemetery plot in 2026 — pre-need vs at-need, plot types, pricing, contracts, and what to look for.
Cemetery Plot Cost
Real cemetery plot prices for 2026, broken down by plot type, region, and cemetery class — with live data from thousands of California cemeteries.
How to Sell a Cemetery Plot
A step-by-step guide to selling a cemetery plot in 2026 — from valuation and legal transfer to listing, pricing, and tax implications.