Despite rising prices in Grantsville and Stansbury, cemetery burial costs remain low across Tooele County.
Burial sites in the county average just under $300 for those who wish to be buried in their community of residence, or about $700 for residents who prefer to be buried in a neighboring city — still well under the national average, which hovers around $2,000 per site, according to the Funeral Consumers Alliance, a national nonprofit organization.
But while a burial site in Tooele County remains a bargain, some local cemeteries have increased their prices in the last few years to more closely reflect national trends.
The Grantsville City Cemetery increased its rates on burial plots to $500 for residents and $1,500 for non-residents, making Grantsville the most expensive burial site in the county. Prior to Sept. 2014, the city charged $290 for residents and $500 for non-residents.
Grantsville City Clerk Kristy Clark said she wasn’t sure exactly why the rate increase occurred, but said it had been at least 20 years since the city raised its prices.
The new Stansbury Cemetery also recently raised its prices to $400 for residents or $800 for non-residents after running a “promotional” starting price of $300.
Stansbury Cemetery Trustee Glenn Oscarson said they sold nearly 300 lots at that price before adopting the regular rate. They’ve had 14 burials at the cemetery since it was dedicated about a year ago, he said, and the popularity of the cemetery continues to surprise him.
“I spend a lot of time working over there, and I’m surprised by how many people come there every day,” he said. “I guess I didn’t realize how important a spot a cemetery was for a lot of people.”
Prices at Tooele City Cemetery, the county’s largest, have remained constant over the last five years. Residents can buy a plot for $300-$400, and non-residents for $700-800.
But those looking for a bargain should look to the county’s outlying community cemeteries. Stockton continues to charge $150 for residents and $300 for non-residents.
“That’s pretty cheap for burying,” said Stockton Town Clerk Fredda Root. “I think that’s the least expensive I’ve ever seen it anywhere.”
Stockton’s cemetery also has a fascinating history, Root added, with some of the graves going back at least to the early 1900s.
But Stockton can’t quite lay claim to the cheapest in Tooele County — Wendover’s city cemetery charges just $150 a lot for all comers.