Interment Options: Graves, Crypts, and Niches

Most cemeteries offer a mix of interment types, each suited to different preferences and needs.

What is a grave?

A grave is the traditional in-ground burial plot, used for casket burial. This is typically the most common and, in many cemeteries, the most affordable base option.

What’s the difference between a crypt and a niche?

A crypt is a sealed compartment within a mausoleum, holding a casket above ground rather than buried. Some families prefer this for religious, cultural, or personal reasons - see our guide on mausoleums, lawn crypts, and family estates for more detail.

A niche is a smaller compartment within a columbarium, specifically sized to hold an urn rather than a casket. This is a common option for families who’ve chosen cremation but still want a permanent, visitable location.

Both are above-ground alternatives to in-ground burial.

What about cremation gardens and scattering gardens?

Many cemeteries also offer dedicated cremation gardens (areas specifically designed for burying urns) or scattering gardens (areas designated for scattering ashes directly into the ground) - see our separate guide on cremation gardens and scattering gardens.

A quick-glance comparison of the main interment options — see the sections above for full detail on each.

Can a single cemetery plot hold more than one person?

Yes, in some cases - double-depth graves allow two caskets stacked in one plot, and family estate plots are specifically designed to hold multiple family members over time.

How do prices compare between these options?

This varies significantly by cemetery and region, but ground burial is often (though not always) the least expensive base option, with mausoleum crypts and premium niche locations sometimes costing more.

Are family estates and natural burial covered here too?

Family estates and natural/green burial are covered in more depth in our Funerals & Cremation guides on mausoleums and family estates, and on green burial, since those decisions typically happen alongside choosing burial versus cremation.

How do I choose between them?

This decision often follows directly from whether you’ve chosen burial or cremation, along with personal, religious, or family preferences. Not every cemetery offers every option, so it’s worth confirming availability early in the conversation.

Availability and terminology vary by cemetery — ask directly about which interment types a specific cemetery offers.