Understanding the Difference Between Perpetual and Non-Perpetual Care

Choosing a final resting place for a loved one is a deeply personal decision—one that also involves practical considerations about long-term care. One of the most important distinctions to understand is whether a cemetery offers perpetual care. This can have lasting effects on the maintenance, appearance, and security of the burial site.

What is a Perpetual Care Cemetery?

A perpetual care cemetery sets aside a portion of each sale into a permanent trust fund, which is used to maintain the grounds and infrastructure of the cemetery indefinitely. These funds help ensure that the property remains well-kept and respectful long after the time of burial.

Perpetual care typically covers:

• Gravesite Upkeep – Regular care of burial plots to preserve their condition.
• Landscaping and Green Spaces – Maintenance of grass, trees, and other natural elements to retain the cemetery’s beauty.
• Structures and Roads – Ongoing repair of mausoleums, pathways, and other cemetery features.
• Utilities and Facilities – Maintenance of water access and parking areas for visitor use.
• Other Cemetery Features – General care of all shared spaces and amenities.

These cemeteries are generally subject to state regulations that help ensure the trust funds are properly managed. Families who choose a perpetual care cemetery can feel confident knowing their loved one’s final resting place will be cared for, regardless of changes in management or time.

What is a Non-Perpetual Care Cemetery?

Non-perpetual care cemeteries may be privately owned or managed by churches, municipalities, or nonprofit organizations. Unlike perpetual care facilities, these cemeteries are not legally required to establish a maintenance trust fund. As a result, ongoing care for individual gravesites and the cemetery grounds may be minimal.

In many cases, maintenance is limited to basic needs like keeping roads accessible or the front gate in working condition. When financial or staffing challenges arise, upkeep may fall on the shoulders of surviving family members, potentially creating unexpected burdens over time.

Without a dedicated fund in place, these cemeteries may suffer from neglect, including overgrown grass, deteriorating structures, or general disrepair—especially once they are no longer actively used for new burials.

Real-World Concerns with Non-Perpetual Care Cemeteries

Many families have shared stories of arriving to find their loved ones’ graves overgrown or in disrepair due to a lack of ongoing maintenance at non-perpetual care cemeteries. In such cases, there is often little recourse, as these cemeteries may not have the resources or obligation to provide upkeep once the plot has been sold.

Helping You Make the Right Choice

Choosing a cemetery that provides perpetual care isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about making a lasting decision to safeguard the dignity of your loved one’s resting place. Our knowledgeable team is available to walk you through your options and help you choose what’s best for your family’s needs—now and in the future.