When you choose cremation, you face an important decision about the final resting place for the remains. Cremation interment gives families a permanent place to visit, honor, and remember their loved one.

Interment means you place the remains in a permanent resting place, either in the ground or in a columbarium niche.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about interment options and planning a meaningful ceremony.

Need guidance with cremation options? Our team at After helps you navigate these decisions with transparency, care, and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427 or explore prepaid cremation plans online.

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What Is Cremation Interment?

Cremation interment is the placement of cremated remains in a permanent location that you can visit and revisit over the years. You can bury the remains in the ground or place them in a dedicated above-ground space designed specifically to hold urns.

Unlike scattering, which disperses remains, cremation interment creates a specific location where family and friends can visit, reflect, and maintain a lasting connection. 

The term is different from burial, which refers to placing a non-cremated individual in the ground. Interment applies specifically to remains after a cremation.

Many families find peace in a permanent memorial space, especially when they want a specific place to bring flowers, share memories, or simply sit quietly with their thoughts.

Where Can You Inter Cremated Remains?

You have several meaningful options for interment. Each option offers different benefits based on your family's values, budget, and preferences.

Cemeteries and Memorial Gardens

Traditional cemeteries and memorial gardens provide dedicated spaces for interring remains. These landscaped areas often adjoin larger cemeteries or operate independently as dedicated memorial sites.

If you don't already own a family plot, you'll need to purchase an Exclusive Right of Burial from the cemetery or local council. This arrangement works like a lease: the cemetery grants you exclusive rights for a set number of years, and you may renew them when the term ends.

If your family already holds a plot at the site, you may be able to inter the remains there with proper documentation. You’ll need the Deed of Exclusive Right of Burial or other proof that authorizes you to use that space.

Churchyards

Churchyards follow a similar process to cemeteries, but with some important differences to consider. The church minister may want to perform a specific type of religious ceremony when you inter the remains.

Columbarium Niches

A columbarium provides above-ground interment in a building, room, or freestanding wall to hold urns. Each small individual space is what they call a “niche.”  Most niches include space nearby where you can place flowers and tributes.

The columbarium marks each niche with a plaque naming the individual interred there. You lease niches for periods typically ranging from 10 to 25 years, requiring you to purchase exclusive rights for that timeframe.

Private Land

You can inter remains on private land with the landowner's permission. If you own the land yourself, you'll still need to consider several practical factors.

If you inter remains on private property, future property sales may restrict your ability to visit them. If you don't own the freehold of your home, you'll need the freeholder's permission.

Woodland and Natural Burial Sites

Many woodland and natural burial sites offer plots specifically for interment. These sites typically require biodegradable urns that break down and become part of the soil naturally.

You usually cannot place traditional headstones in these locations, but you can often plant a tree or add a wooden cross to mark the spot.

How To Plan a Cremation Interment Ceremony

Many families hold an interment ceremony even after they've already conducted a funeral or memorial service. These gatherings provide an intimate way to mark the final placement and say goodbye in a more personal setting.

Choosing Your Service Style

At cemeteries and memorial gardens, you can organize and conduct your own ceremony with any format you prefer. In churchyards, the minister may want to lead a religious service.

Most interment services last about an hour and follow a general flow: guests gather at the site, a celebrant welcomes everyone and offers opening words, people share memories or readings, they place the urn in its final position, and the celebrant closes with final thoughts before everyone departs.

Personalizing the Ceremony

The ceremony should reflect the person you're honoring. Consider including elements that held meaning for them, from their favorite music, poems they loved, or readings that capture their spirit. Some families pour remains directly into the ground through a funnel, while others lower a sealed urn into the burial plot.

You might include photos at the site, meaningful objects that represent their passions, or invite specific people to share stories. The goal is creating a moment that feels authentic to the life you're celebrating.

Selecting Who Will Officiate

You can choose anyone you trust to lead the ceremony, a religious leader, a certified celebrant, a community member, or someone close to the person.

Professional celebrants can help you structure the service and gather memories to share, while family or friends bring personal connection and intimate knowledge.

What Paperwork Do You Need for Cremation Interment?

You’ll need several types of paperwork to complete a cremation interment. The exact requirements depend on your state and chosen location. It generally includes:

• Death certificate: The registrar or local authority issues this official document.
• Cremation authorization: This document permits the cremation to take place.
• Interment permit: Some states and cemeteries require a specific permit for interring remains.
• Cemetery plot deed or columbarium niche receipt: Proof of ownership or lease for the chosen resting place.
• Landowner permission (if applicable): You must obtain written consent to inter remains on private property.

Tip: Always confirm specific documentation requirements with your cremation provider and interment site to avoid delays.

Cremation Interment Costs

Cremation interment costs can vary widely depending on your location, type of resting place, and level of personalization. Here’s a general breakdown of average costs across the U.S.:

Note: These figures are averages and may differ based on your region. Always request estimates from local cremation providers and interment sites.

When Should You Hold an Interment?

You should hold an interment whenever you feel ready. One advantage of cremation is that it removes the pressure to make immediate decisions. You can take the time you need to plan an interment that feels right.

Some families inter remains shortly after cremation, coordinating with a memorial service to mark both events together. Others wait weeks, months, or even longer for a meaningful date like a birthday or anniversary. There's no "correct" timeline.

This flexibility also allows out-of-town family members to arrange travel, gives you time to secure the perfect plot location, and lets you plan a ceremony that truly honors the person you've lost without rushing through important choices.

At After, our cremation packages include refrigeration for up to five business days and flexible delivery options, giving you breathing room to make these decisions thoughtfully.

Alternatives to Cremation Interment

Interment offers permanence and a visitable location, but it's not the only meaningful option for honoring remains. Here are some other options that families consider:

• They may keep the remains at home: This allows many people to maintain closeness with someone they've lost. You can choose a decorative urn and give it a place of honor in your home where you see it daily.

• They may scatter remains: Scattering provides a way to return remains to places that hold significance. A garden, a hiking trail, or family property. You'll need permission from landowners for private property, but many public spaces allow scattering with proper respect for the environment.
  
  
• They may share the remains among family members: This works well when multiple people want to keep someone close. Cremation produces enough remains that you can divide them into smaller keepsake urns.

• They can create memorial objects: This transforms a small portion of remains into glass artwork, jewelry, or even memorial diamonds. These wearable or displayable tributes let you carry a connection wherever you go.

Each approach offers different benefits. Some families combine options, interring most remains while keeping a small portion in jewelry or sharing among siblings.

Choose Direct Cremation Now, and Plan Interment When It Feels Right

Direct cremation gives families space to make thoughtful decisions without rushing. It ensures respectful care while leaving time to decide on the right interment, ceremony, or memorial gathering.

You can take time to plan a meaningful service, choose readings, or organize an interment that reflects your family’s wishes.

At After, we specialize in direct cremation, the most affordable and widely available choice. Our packages start at $995, with no hidden fees.

Families who need help soon can learn about planning for an expected passing, while those preparing for the future can secure prepaid cremation to lock in today’s rates.

We also provide resources to help you compare cremation costs, explore affordable funeral services. If you have more questions, we have a team of care specialists that you can reach out to 24/7.

Call us anytime at 1-844-760-0427 to speak with our care team or explore plans online.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cremation Interment

Can You Inter Remains in an Existing Family Grave?

You can inter remains in an existing grave if you have proper permission from the deed holder and if the cemetery allows it. Many family plots accommodate multiple sets of remains over time.

Check with cemetery staff about specific rules for your location, including any limits on the number of interments and requirements for urn types.

Do You Need Permission to Inter Remains?

You need permission to inter remains from whoever holds the burial rights for the plot. For private land, you need written consent from the property owner. Cemeteries and churchyards have their own approval processes and will guide you through requirements when you contact them.

How Long Can You Keep Remains Before Interment?

You can keep remains as long as you want before interment. There's no legal requirement to inter within any specific timeframe, giving you the flexibility to make decisions when you feel ready. Many families keep remains for months or years before interring them.

What Type of Urn Do You Need for Interment?

The type of urn you need for interment depends on your location. Traditional cemeteries often require an urn vault for underground burial, while woodland sites typically mandate biodegradable urns.

Columbariums may have size restrictions for their niches. Always check specific requirements with your chosen location before purchasing an urn.

Can You Place Multiple Sets of Remains in One Plot?

Yes, you can place multiple sets of remains in one plot. The exact number depends on plot size and cemetery regulations. Family plots often hold several urns over generations.