Plan a Burial
This guide walks you through every step—from confirming a plot to setting the headstone—so families can focus on prayer rather than paperwork.
Steps to Plan a Burial
1. Confirm Eligibility
Burial is ordinarily reserved for Orthodox parish members. A non-Orthodox spouse or other close relative may be interred only with written approval from the priest who serves on the Board (§4 in Rules).2. Select a Plot
- Contact the Sexton and consult the Master Plat to locate an available space (§20.1 and §21.2 in Rules).
- No person may own more than two lots; if you wish adjacent spaces, you may purchase up to two (§14.1 in Rules).
- Up to two burials may take place in a single lot (§14.2 in Rules).
3. Choose Burial Type
- Standard vault (concrete or fiberglass recommended).
- Natural-earth option – forgo the vault if (a) a Board-approved biodegradable liner is used and (b) the family pays the additional labor cost set by the Board (§15 in Rules).
4. Submit Documents & Fees
- Complete the Lot Purchase Agreement and pay the plot fee (the Sexton will guide you).
- Download the Rules & Regulations PDF and the Marker Application; the Marker form is required later when you order a stone (§9 in Rules).
- The Sexton issues written clearance once fees are settled and paperwork is in order (§20.3 in Rules).
5. Schedule the Service
- Coordinate the funeral date with clergy and hire any licensed grave-opening contractor already pre-approved by the Board (§22.1 in Rules).
- Before digging, the Sexton meets the contractor onsite, stakes the lot corners from the Master Plat, and gives the final go-ahead (§22.2 in Rules).
Interactive Plat Map
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Zoom and pan to explore available sections. For the high-resolution printable version, download the PDF.
Request a PlotFee Schedule — Public Rates
(Effective 27 May 2025)
| Item | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Plot (single) | $3,000 | Includes perpetual-care fund |
| Second Adjacent Plot | $3,000 | Limit two plots per person (§14.1 in Rules) |
| Additional Interment (same plot) | $1,500 | Adds a second burial; max 2 per lot (§14.2 in Rules) |
| Grave Opening / Closing | Contractor quote | Paid directly to an approved contractor (§22.1 in Rules) |
| Natural-Earth Surcharge | Quoted case-by-case | Extra labor for vault-free burial (§15 in Rules) |
| Monument Application Review | $0 | Included with plot fee (§9 in Rules) |
Other Typical Orthodox Funeral Expenses (Birmingham, AL)
(Paid to outside providers; the funeral home usually collects these)
| Service | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Church service & facility | Funeral-home quote | Pay church directly |
| Priest honorarium | Funeral-home quote | Pay priest directly |
| Funeral-home basic services & staff | Funeral-home quote | Pay funeral home |
| Casket and vault1 | Funeral-home quote | Pay funeral home or vendor |
| Hearse & funeral vehicles | Funeral-home quote | Pay funeral home |
| Flowers | Funeral-home quote | Pay florist |
| Obituary / death notices | Funeral-home quote | Pay newspaper / online outlet |
| Certified death certificates | Funeral-home quote | Pay Jefferson Co. Health Dept. |
| Reception / Makaria meal | Funeral-home quote | Pay caterer or Philoptochos |
| Embalming & body prep2 | Funeral-home quote | Pay funeral home |
A full-service Orthodox funeral in Birmingham (funeral-home services, church rites, casket, vault, vehicles, etc.) commonly totals ≈ $6,000 – $10,000 before cemetery fees.
Footnotes
- The cemetery permits vault-free burials if state rules are met and a biodegradable liner is approved; families pay any extra labor quoted by the gravedigger (§15 in Rules).
- Orthodox tradition normally avoids embalming; the Sexton can guide families who wish to follow traditional preparation. See Sacred Ground for more information.