FAQs

The first thing to know is that despite our name, cemetery brokers do not actually sell or represent cemeteries! 

Instead, cemetery brokers are licensed professionals who specialize in buying, selling, or exchanging cemetery property or interment services.  We act as intermediaries between individuals seeking to purchase or sell cemetery plots, crypts or other burial options.  A cemetery broker can either work as an individual or for a larger company selling cemetery property.

In California, cemetery brokers are licensed and regulated by the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.  This state agency oversees the licensing and activities of cemetery brokers and we are careful to always comply with relevant laws and regulations.  We operate ethically and responsibly, and are required to hold a surety bond, which serves as a financial guarantee and ensures consumers have an extra layer of protection for transactions involving cemetery property.  

Typical responsibilities of cemetery brokers include:

• Listing and Selling: Working on behalf of sellers to find buyers for cemetery property they no longer want and on behalf of sellers to find properties that meet their specific needs and preferences.  
• Negotiation: Negotiating the terms of the sale, including price, payment arrangements, and any additional conditions.
• Paperwork: Handling all the necessary paperwork and legal procedures involved in the transaction and transfer process.
• Knowledge and Expertise: Providing insights and assistance to clients based on their deep understanding of cemetery regulations, laws, and market trends.

Essentially, a cemetery broker provides a valuable service by helping people navigate the often complex and emotional process of buying or selling cemetery property.

The short answer is Price and Selection.

Organizations like Bayer Cemetery Brokers offer huge discounts for buyers compared to the usual retail prices charged by cemeteries. In many cases, these properties come with additional benefits such as pre-paid endowment care, vaults, markers or other services. 

Furthermore, cemetery brokers offer properties available for sale from a wide range of cemeteries and in a wide range of price categories, often in locations that are otherwise sold out.

Working with a full-service broker such as Bayer Cemetery Brokers offers several key advantages:

• Plots in Sought-After Areas: Many sections within cemeteries are completely sold-out.  However, many families desire plots in these locations, for example to be near loved-ones who are already buried there, or because these sections are especially beautiful or centrally-located.  We can often find inventory in the re-sale market to meet the family’s needs.
• Cost Savings: As brokers, we have access to a wider range of options, including resale properties that may be more affordable than buying directly from a cemetery.
• Personalized Service: We take the time to understand your specific needs, preferences, and budget to find the most suitable options for you and your family.
• Simplified Process: We handle all the paperwork, making the entire process smooth and less stressful for you.
• Impartial Advice: Unlike cemetery sales representatives, we’re not tied to a single property. We can offer unbiased recommendations based on your best interests.
• Market Insights: Our up-to-date knowledge of the cemetery property market helps you make informed decisions about timing, location, and value.

By choosing Bayer Cemetery Brokers, you gain a dedicated partner committed to finding the right cemetery property for your needs while potentially saving you time, money, and stress.

Every situation is different, but cemetery brokers typically offer re-sale cemetery property for as much as 60% less than what cemeteries charge for similar new plots. 

Sometimes re-sale plots come with other benefits as well, such as pre-paid endowment care fees, markers, opening/closing fees etc.

Bayer Cemetery Brokers works with over 60 cemeteries in Southern California as well as in Las Vegas Nevada.

We do not operate in public or exclusively Catholic cemeteries which have their own (limited) procedures for the resale of cemetery plots.

Due to the unique nature of cemetery property, it is impossible to say how long each plot will take to sell when it is placed on consignment.

The market is constantly evolving.  Some plots sell in a matter of weeks, while others may take significantly longer to find the right buyer.  By pricing plots competitively and showing them to multiple potential buyers over time, we ultimately maximize the value you receive for your plot.  

In exceptional circumstances, if your property is located in one of a few select locations, such as Rose Hills or Forest Lawn, and an immediate sale is your top priority, Bayer Cemetery Brokers may be able to make a cash offer to purchase your plot instead of placing it on consignment.

Yes!

Bayer Cemetery Brokers always offers in person showings of cemetery property to families free of charge at over 60 cemeteries in Southern California and Nevada.

Reselling a cemetery plot is a multi-step process, and is governed by specific regulations. 

• Firstly the seller needs to determine the value of their plot.  Appraising the value of plots and knowing how to price them is a skill that requires practice and in-depth market knowledge and expertise.  The price varies depending on factors such as by cemetery, type of plot, location within the cemetery and current market conditions.
• Then the seller needs to find a buyer for their plot.  This can be challenging, because each plot is unique and requires a specific type of buyer who is looking for that type of property.  You can try and find a buyer yourself but it can often be a difficult and lengthy process.  For these reasons, many people choose to use a cemetery broker, who has access to a network of interested buyers and the expertise to market cemetery property.  In fact, many clients of cemetery brokers previously tried to sell their plots themselves, only to find it was a time-consuming and stressful process, that did not result in a successful sale.  
• Once a transaction is agreed, you need to file transfer paperwork with the cemetery to complete the transfer. The specific transfer process and fees vary depending on the cemetery, but are likely to include validation of the title of the plot (who owns it and whether or not they are authorized to sell it), notarization of documents and transfer paperwork to be completed with the cemetery. 
• Private sellers need to navigate all these steps correctly or else the transfer is invalid.  A cemetery broker such as Bayer Cemetery Brokers will take care of all the paperwork for you and make sure everything is filed correctly.  Cemetery brokers in California are licensed and bonded so you can trust that your payment is guaranteed.  

While it is not against the terms and conditions of eBay or Craigslist to resell unused cemetery property this method of resale is very unlikely to work. The unique nature of cemetery plots makes finding a buyer difficult and the high value of cemetery plots can make buyers uneasy. Nobody wants to become a victim of fraud! 

Cemetery brokers are often a more effective way to resell cemetery property because they are able to market your property through their sales network and they can offer in-person showings.  Furthermore, a full-service broker such as Bayer Cemetery Brokers, is licensed and bonded in the State of California.  They have expertise in completing all the necessary paperwork for transfers to be valid and their payments are guaranteed.