Updated: Sept 2025

Here are some great tips for selling your cemetery property, graves and burial plots.

This is the second in a series of articles to help you get a quick sale at the best price.

What is the best way to sell cemetery property? How do you value the plots? And what does the sales process look like?

Let’s go through these in turn.

People sell unwanted cemetery property for many reasons. But although burial plots share some characteristics with traditional assets and real estate, selling them requires a different approach due to their unique nature. 

4 Key Factors You Must Consider to Sell Your Cemetery Plot

Understanding the factors that affect cemetery property and grave plot sales is critical for success.

Let’s start by examining the market for plots:

1. Limited market for buying cemetery plots

People tend not to buy or sell cemetery property as frequently as other types of assets. The market for cemetery plots is much smaller than for traditional real estate. It can be hyper-local.

For sellers, this can result in a slow process and difficulty finding a buyer for their graves and burial plots.  Indeed, unfashionable styles of plot, or cemetery property in less popular locations can take several months or even years to sell.

2. Buyer demographics 

Unquestionably, plot buyers have highly specific requirements and will only purchase a plot that is a very close match to their requirements.  Families looking for a final resting place for their loved ones care about which cemetery, what type of plot (e.g. grave, niche, crypt), and even the location of the plot within the cemetery. Often, buyers will check out the cemetery’s reputation, and fee structure before making a purchase.

Buyers tend to only be interested in your plot if it perfectly matches their needs, and that’s before you even begin to negotiate the price! 

3. Cemetery plot transfers require documentation

States have enacted strict laws regarding proof of ownership of cemetery property, plot deeds, and heirship rights. Furthermore, each cemetery has its own rules, fees, and regulations regarding the transfer and sale of burial plots. Cemetery property sales can involve complex paperwork. Typically plot sellers must prove that they own the cemetery property for sale and have the legal right to sell it. These steps need to be completed before a transfer of your property to the new owner (buyer) can occur.

4. Realistic resale pricing

Valuing your plots for resale can be challenging. You need to consider many factors including which cemetery, the location within the memorial park, the type of plot, whether or not any prepaid services are included, and the administrative fees due to transfer the plot. You will need to assess the current demand and also the amount of inventory for buyers to choose from, both available direct from the cemetery (new plots) and from other private sellers (resale plots.) It is not uncommon for there to be many more sellers than buyers for plots in certain locations and the high level of supply should be taken into account.

This is where licensed cemetery brokers are your best resource. These professionals specialize in buying and selling cemetery property. A reputable and trusted broker provides an invaluable service, because they know about resale market trends and pricing, and can value your plot accurately based on current demand and supply in your location.

So where is the best place to sell graves? And what is the fastest way to sell cemetery property?

For the best chance of success– choose professional help

Selling your unwanted cemetery property poses a unique set of challenges, but it is definitely possible.

Most people find the easiest, quickest and most reliable way to sell cemetery property and grave plots is to use a top-rated licensed cemetery broker, such as Bayer Cemetery Brokers. If you live outside California, this tailor-made national listing service is an excellent alternative.

Read our detailed guide about the 3 top ways to sell your cemetery plot:

• Listing your property and finding a buyer yourself (the DIY method)
• Engaging a licensed broker
• Selling your plot back to the cemetery

A Full Service Cemetery Broker

At Bayer Cemetery Brokers,  we understand the importance of preserving the memory of loved ones. For over 27 years we have helped families in Southern California and beyond find the perfect resting place for their loved ones or resell their unwanted cemetery property.

If you’re interested in purchasing cemetery property in California, or across the United States, or if you have a burial plot or grave you want to sell we are here to help:  Contact us here

We are licensed and bonded by the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.