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Plan Ahead FAQs

Plan Ahead FAQs

Everything you need to know and want to ask about planning ahead.


What is Cemetery pre-planning?

Cemetery pre-planning is taking care of your cemetery arrangements ahead of time so that your final arrangements are conducted according to your wishes, for peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. 


Can I take care of the costs now?

Yes. You are welcome to take care of costs now, so that later on, all your family has to do is to focus on and celebrate your life. 


I want to be able to discuss plans with loved ones. Do you have suggestions for doing this in the best way possible?

You are truly helping your family and doing a great deed by taking care of something that is so personal and important to you. Remember to respect their feelings and emotions, as this can possibly be a difficult subject for them. Assure them that you are making these plans because you love them and want them to feel free to celebrate life and heal together when the time comes. Find additional resources here.


What do I do when I have completed all my pre-planning? Is there anything else I should be aware of or need to do?

Relax and rest assured knowing that your wishes will be met, your needs have been taken care of and there's a capable team at Albany Diocesan Cemeteries that is always available to answer your questions or thoughts.

You will take an important step by choosing to plan ahead. By taking steps to arrange your cemetery arrangements now, you will take a large burden off of your beloved family, providing them with greater peace of mind. You’re relieving your family of the unexpected cost that can be associated with planning a burial, allowing them to celebrate and honor your life. And finally, you’re ensuring that your final arrangements are set according to your own wishes and needs.

You might have some questions as you begin planning ahead. We’re here to help answer them.

Here are some questions that are often asked by others making these important decisions:

What decisions need to be made?

What decisions need to be made?

The first decision is the type of burial and memorialization you want. Where do I start? Albany Diocesan Cemeteries offers a wide range of options including traditional burial, cremation options, above ground interments, lawn crypts, family heritage lots, private family mausoleums and natural  burial preserves. If you are considering cremation, we offer burial plots, urn gardens, columbariums, and niches in community mausoleums. We can help you choose an appropriate memorial from a wide array of cast bronze markers and granite monuments from our Catholic Monument Design Center. Memorials are available in a variety of customizable designs, sizes, and prices.

What are Lawn Crypts?

What are Lawn Crypts?

Lawn Crypts provide burial space for two in a pre-installed, double depth concrete crypt. The reinforced lawn crypt is manufactured under controlled factory conditions using a combination of steel mesh bards and 5,000 PSI concrete, designed to achieve required strength and to withstand earth and equipment pressure.

Lawn Crypt burials are marked with bronze memorials mounted on granite.Learn More

What are Community Mausoleums?

What are Community Mausoleums?

A Community Mausoleum is a building memorializing individuals. Mausoleums provide you with a secure enclosure that will remain clean and dry without ever letting the casket or vault come in contact with the earth.

Modern mausoleums offer a number of options to meet the preferences and budgets of most families.

What isNatural Burial?

What isNatural Burial?

Natural burial is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact.  Only burial shrouds or natural biodegradable caskets can be used. Burial vaults are not permitted. Embalming is not required. Memorials are limited to natural granite blocks supplied by the cemetery. The granite may be inscribed with the name of the deceased and dates of birth and death. Decorations are not permitted

Green burial is available at the Kateri Meadow Natural Burial Preserve at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery and St. Michael’s Meadow in Calvary Cemetery.

How do costs compare?

How do costs compare?

If you purchase grave space, a vault is required. Vaults are not necessary with lawn crypts or mausoleum crypts, so these two options may cost less. There is an additional cost for memorialization. 

What are Family Heritage Lots?

What are Family Heritage Lots?

Custom landscaping and distinctive memorialization is available on these estate lots.  Family Heritage Lots can accommodate either a family mausoleum or in-ground burial spaces.  

What are theoptions forCremation?

What are theoptions forCremation?

Human cremated remains must be given the same respect as one would the body, including the manner in which they are carried and the attention given to their appropriate transport and placement.  Special urn gardens and columbarium niches provide a unique and reverent final resting place for cremated remains. An urn containing cremated remains may also be buried in a grave or, under certain circumstances, in an existing grave of a close relative.

Do you sell monuments?

Do you sell monuments?

Yes.  Our Catholic Monument Design Center can help you choose an appropriate memorial from a wide array of cast bronze markers and granite monuments from the finest manufacturers, or create a customized memorial with our computer design program. 

Memorials are available in a variety of designs, sizes, customizable options, and prices and may be purchased in advance of need.

Purchasing your memorial from Albany Diocesan Cemeteries also supports your Catholic Cemetery.

Learn more.

After we purchase burial space, are there other charges?

After we purchase burial space, are there other charges?

At the time of death, an interment fee is charged for services which include the opening, closing and recording of the burial. A grave marker, monument, or crypt inscription can be purchased to memorialize the final resting place. Some charges may be pre-paid.

What are the payment options?

What are the payment options?

Affordable payment plans are available. Contact us for information.

We know that you may have other questions, so feel free to call us so that we can walk you through your options and help you create the best possible plan for you.518-350-7676