At what age should someone purchase a burial plot?

Never buy before marriage (if you expect to marry at some point). You may find that your future spouse may come from a family that has plots, or has a strong desire to eventually be buried near his/her family.

My great grandfather bought 360 plots for a family cemetery back in 1919. My wife’s father had bought plots for his immediate family here in CT, but didn’t have the foresight to provide for sons-in law or grandchildren. We’ve told my eldest SIl that she can have Mrs’ CTL’s plot for her husband if needed, Mrs. CTL will be in our family in Queens after 120 years.

As to the age 30, 40, 50, etc. It depends upon when you have settled in a community and expect to remain there long term (for those not choose to ship remains to EY for internment). OOT, shul’s generally own the cemeteries and the plot may be free with membership. My maternal grandmother convinced my aunt and uncle to buy plots in Beth David (Elmont) when Opa died. Oma is buried there, but my aunt and uncle ended up making their permanent home in Florida, when he was niftar, she bought plots there as she would not be traveling to NY to bury him or visit his grave, their children and grandchildren are in Florida. Eventually the plots in NY will become abandoned property and be used for those unable to afford plots.

“There is no official time, but if one first waits to buy one when someone needs to be buried, the family will be paying a “premium price” for a grave(s).”

Why is that?

Meno………..

Why you pay more if you wait to buy a plot when someone dies:

#1 you are at the most vulnerable point in your life. dealing with grief and overwhelmed with making plans.

If you need it fast you may be charged a premium for quick turn around, legal fees for deed, etc.

#2 An organization may hold you hostage for x number of years of membership dues, prepaid maintenance or perpetual care.

#3 You may not be prepared to lay out the required funds to by adjoining plots for other family members.

#4 Some cemeteries or associations allow plot owners to sell unwanted plots to the general public. These plots are often offered at prices well below what the cemetery’s current retail price. Chances are the owners (or their ancestors bought the plots years ago for a fraction of the going rate).

I posted above about the empty plots next to my maternal grandparents in Beth David..Elmont, LI, NY. My uncle is buried in Florida and my aunt will be interred next to him when the time comes. They have no descendants left in NY. The plots were purchased in 1967 for $500 each. If you try to buy direct from the cemetery today you pay more than $3000. Every year or so, my aunt runs a classified advt in a LI Anglo-Jewish paper offering the plots at her cost. Eventually, someone will decide that the price is a bargain, even if the plots are in a section for a Verein composed of Jews with roots in Bavaria. For you eastern European Jews…Verein is the Yekkische equivalent of a landsmannschaft

Why waste money on something you won’t need anyhow?

Ask a Rabbi. Off-hand, I would think EY, but I don’t know.

I do know that you will pay a premium if you wait until you actually need it. Shortly after marrying I joined a Chevra Kadisha, United Community down on the lower Eastside, I never needed their services and paid the annual dues, $20.00 per year. This is suppose to cover burial expenses plus a plot for me my wife and my dependents. My parents recently died. My father paid $1,000.0 for each plot in Bais Shemesh over 20 years ago. It cost me $10,000 to bury him in Eretz Yisroel not including the plot. I known there are Chevra Kadisha & others that have plots and who don’t need them and I am looking to buy The problem is that I have heard horror stories of people buying plots and finding out when they need them someone is already buried there.

When Moshiach comes, we’ll all be whisked to E”Y, correct? So isn’t buying a plot in Chutz L’aretz tantamount to saying you don’t think Moshiach will come in your lifetime?

You could say that about any long term preparation. If you buy a house (which you won’t move into for a month) you could be accused of saying you don’t think Moshiach will come for a month. If you buy chicken for tomorrow night’s supper, you can be accused of saying you don’t think Moshiach will come today.

In fact, though, you’re not saying Moshiach is definitely not coming today, this month, or in your lifetime ch”v; you’re just preparing in case.

Lilmod…….

You are correct that if you are dead, you personally do not pay for the plot. However, the cost will most likely come from your estate (if you have any worth) or your relatives.

Standard language in American wills is that first the decedent directs that all his/her burial expenses be paid before any other disbursements are made. So, even though you may be dead, you still pay from your funds.