Rules & Forms
Everything you need to plan a burial—in one place.
Our rules protect the dignity of the departed, preserve Orthodox tradition, and keep the grounds beautiful for generations. Download the official PDFs or skim the highlights below.
Top Things to Know
Fee 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.
Questions?