Interment Options: Graves, Crypts, and Niches
Reviewed by Everendium Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 18, 2026
Quick answer
A grave is a standard in-ground burial plot. A crypt is a sealed compartment within a mausoleum, holding a casket above ground. A niche is a smaller compartment within a columbarium, holding an urn. Each cemetery offers a different mix of these, and pricing varies by type.
Most cemeteries offer a mix of interment types, each suited to different preferences and needs.
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.
Crypt
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.
Niche
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.
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.
Grave
- ✓Traditional in-ground burial
- ✓For a casket
- ✓Often the most affordable base option
Crypt
- ✓Sealed compartment in a mausoleum
- ✓Above ground, for a casket
- ✓Chosen for religious or personal reasons
Niche
- ✓Compartment in a columbarium
- ✓For an urn, not a casket
- ✓Permanent, visitable location
Cremation Garden
- ✓Landscaped area for burying urns
- ✓Smaller footprint, often lower cost
- ✓Usually still individually marked
A quick-glance comparison of the main interment options — see the sections above for full detail on each.
Choosing 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.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a crypt and a niche?+
A crypt is sized for a casket, within a mausoleum. A niche is smaller, sized for an urn, within a columbarium. Both are above-ground alternatives to in-ground burial.
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.
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.
Sources
Related glossary terms
Make this easier for your family.
Add what you've just read to your Final Day Plan — free, and saved for later.