Relocation Services: Bringing Loved Ones Home
For hundreds of years, families have moved their loved ones to new resting places as their needs or circumstances change. Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum (BCA) was founded in 1849 in part because many of St. Louis’ older cemeteries had closed or were too small. In its first two years of operation, almost half of the interments at Bellefontaine were re-interments of people and families moved from other cemeteries.
Exploring Your Options and the Process
Bellefontaine
can help you explore your options whether you are considering a move within our
grounds or from another cemetery. A move, or re-interment, is often a more
delicate and involved process than a first-time interment, but we are here to
advise and manage the details on your behalf.
The core process involves three main phases: Disinterment, Removal and Transfer, and Re-interment.
For those who determine re-interment is not the appropriate fit, Bellefontaine offers many other ways to commemorate and honor loved ones regardless of their physical location.
Reasons for Re-Interment
Still today,
families choose to relocate loved ones to BCA to ensure perpetual maintenance
and to bring families together. Common reasons for re-interment include:
- Moving within Bellefontaine when an old lot is full.
- Bringing family members together from different cemeteries or locations.
- Concerns about maintenance, finances, or the longevity of another cemetery.
Monument Relocation
Your monument or marker belongs to you or your family, not the cemetery, and you may certainly take it with you. You will need to pay for its removal from its foundation, transport, and the installation of a new foundation. This cost can be minimal for a small marker, or very large if the memorial is large and/or fragile.
Sale or Donation of Old Lot
If you do not wish to retain your old lot (and if all burials have been removed), you may be able to sell or donate it.
- Sell: Our rules (and those of most non-profit cemeteries) allow you to sell the lot back to the cemetery at the original purchase price.
- Donate: You may donate the lot back, using its current market value, and take a tax deduction. For very old graves or lots, this can be a financially wise decision.
Cost and Pricing
Relocation requires specialized procedures and regulatory compliance, so there are additional steps and charges involved. The following requirements and costs may vary somewhat with each unique situation.
Service
-
BCA Disinterment (Removal from BCA)
Starting at $1,700 Policy and cost are set by the cemetery -
Local Removal/Transfer (Transportation)
Varies
Typically ranges from $250 – $850 for local transfers
-
Re-interment at BCA (New Burial Fee)
Starting at $1,100 Fee to open, place, and close the grave/urn placement
-
New Outer Container (If needed)
Varies
Ranges from $300 – $1,000 for a structurally-sound container/vault for safe travel.