Where to Begin: Cemeteries in Hagerstown, MD

All cemeteries will offer various burial options at varying costs. So how can you know which companies are the most trusted cemeteries in Hagerstown, MD? Look for answers to these questions when finding a trusted cemetery:

• How long have they been in business? When you find out how long the cemetery has been in business, you will find out a lot about the company. Experience is valued, and a long-standing business usually knows how to do things the right way with minimal mistakes.
• How much is the combined experience of the cemetery professionals? You may benefit from new facilities and modern procedures if a cemetery is new. Rather than worrying that a new business is not experienced enough, ask about the combined experience of the cemetery staff. If they have professionals on staff that know the ins and outs of the business, you should be in good hands.
• Do they offer burial options for cremation urns and ashes? Are cemeteries only for burials? The truth is that families who choose cremation services love to reap the benefits of a cemetery. When they bury their loved ones in a niche, which is a special compartment where the ashes can be permanently kept, they offer a place for friends and family to visit.
• What is the feedback from families who have used the cemetery? Does the cemetery share comments and reviews from families who use their services? When you hear from past customers, you will get a broad snapshot of how happy families are with the cemetery services.
• Are the grounds well-kept? Take a tour of the cemetery grounds. Are there weeds and overgrown grave markers? If the gardening and upkeep add to the peace and beauty of the cemetery, then you are in a good place.
• Do they have a chapel on-site? For example, does the cemetery make it easy for you to hold a funeral on-site? Or, if you were to visit a loved one’s grave, would you have a chance to visit a chapel and offer prayers?
• Are the prices transparent? You should be able to find prices on any cemetery website. If you do not see the fees right away, you can ask for estimates upfront. A cemetery service should not stand in the way of your comparing prices with other companies in the industry.

Search for a cemetery that answers all of these questions in a precise way. When the cemetery professionals are upfront about their services, you will find that the company is more trustworthy. 

As you make choices surrounding cemeteries in Hagerstown, MD, know about all the options that are available: 

• Columbariums
• Niches
• Private Family Crypts
• Individual Crypts
• Advanced Planning Cemetery Lots
• Monuments
• Memorials

Look into each option to find the best choice for your family’s needs. A member of the planning team can guide you through the options to help you interpret each one. 

Working Through the Grief

The loss of a loved one can be a harrowing experience. Take a look at the stages of grief and know that cemetery professionals are here to help you through your grief journey.

• Denial and Shock: Your initial reaction may be to deny that the death ever happened. You may keep waiting to wake up from a nightmare or continue to imagine your loved one walking in the front door after a long day at work.
• Pain and Guilt: Some people start to retrace their steps. If only they would’ve noticed a specific symptom. Or maybe if they had been the ones to drive that day, the accident wouldn’t have occurred. This painful stage is vital to talk through, making sure you voice your feelings rather than burying them inside.
• Anger and Bargaining: You can start to convince yourself that you’ll do whatever it takes to get the person back or to make up for the loss. Some people choose to get angry at the person responsible for the death or even God.
• Depression: Once the loss sinks in, you give in to feeling sad, and this can lead to depression. Some may even put their lives on hold as they seep into a deep depression, longing to see their loved ones again and wondering how they can go on without them.
• An Upward Turn: Time heals the suffocating feeling of loss. The pain will always be there, but with time, you are able to live life again and focus on positive things.
• Reconstruction: This is a time when you start to rebuild your life and make plans for what it will look like without your loved one around.
• Acceptance and Hope: This stage of grief focuses on the future. You can be happy again. You can make it through this loss and come out even stronger. 

Choose an Experienced Cemetery

Established almost a century ago, the cemetery and funeral home at Rest Haven Funeral Home and Cemetery was one of the earliest models of a combined full-service funeral establishment in the state. Since then, as services have expanded and grown, our firm has been grateful to assist with services such as cemeteries in Hagerstown, MD. In addition, we offer a meaningful and beautifully maintained burial park. So come and see what we can provide you with at Rest Haven Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 1601 Pennsylvania Ave, Hagerstown, MD 21742. Call to discuss options or ask any questions by dialing (301) 733-3575 now.

Cemetery FAQs

• Are Cemetery Records in Hagerstown, MD Available to the Public?
• The city of Hagerstown maintains several cemeteries within its borders, and all of these cemeteries' records are available to the public. In addition, the city's funeral homes keep records of those they have served, which are also open to the public. Therefore, if you are looking for information about someone who may have been buried in Hagerstown, or if you are trying to find out who provided funeral services for someone in the city, you should be able to get the information you need. Here is our list of unclaimed burial sites if you need it.

• Are Cemetery Plot Deeds Recorded in Hagerstown, MD?
• Funeral directors often keep a record of cemetery plots that they have sold. However, in order to find out if the deed for a particular plot is on file, you would need to contact the Hagerstown City Clerk's Office. The City Clerk's Office may be able to tell you where the deed is filed, or they may be able to provide you with a copy of the deed.

• Can a Cemetery Move the Grave without Permission from the Family?
• A cemetery cannot move the grave without permission from the family. The funeral home that handles the arrangements for the burial must have a court order authorizing the removal before any disinterment can take place. Local laws may vary, but generally, this type of situation would only occur if the cemetery were being relocated or developed and graves needed to be moved in order to accommodate the new construction. If you believe that your loved one's grave is going to be impacted by such a situation, you should contact the cemetery directly to inquire about their relocation policies. Here are some photos of our cemetery.