What Is Interment?

By Terry Feely, Former Firefighter and Paramedic · Last Updated May 2026

Interment is the formal act of placing a deceased person's body or cremated remains in a final resting place. The term encompasses burial in the ground, entombment in a mausoleum, and placement of a cremation urn in a columbarium niche. Cemetery interment fees (for opening and closing the grave) typically range from $300 to $1,500, and this charge is separate from the cost of the cemetery plot, burial vault, and funeral services.

Definition

Interment comes from the Latin "interrare," meaning to place in the earth. In modern funeral industry usage, the term has expanded beyond in-ground burial to include any permanent placement of remains. The three primary forms of interment are ground burial (casket or urn placed in a grave), entombment (casket or urn placed in a mausoleum crypt), and inurnment (cremation urn placed in a columbarium niche).

Interment is typically the final step in the funeral process. It follows the funeral or memorial service, the funeral procession (if applicable), and the graveside committal service. After interment, the cemetery maintains the site according to its perpetual care agreement.

Cost

The interment fee is charged by the cemetery for the labor and equipment needed to open and close the grave or niche. Typical costs include casket interment (opening and closing the grave) at $300 to $1,500, cremation urn interment (in ground) at $200 to $800, columbarium niche placement at $200 to $500, and mausoleum entombment at $500 to $2,000.

These fees are in addition to the cost of the plot ($500 to $10,000), the burial vault or grave liner ($700 to $10,000), and the grave marker or headstone ($500 to $5,000). Weekend, holiday, and after-hours interments typically incur a surcharge of $200 to $500. The total cemetery cost (plot plus interment plus vault plus marker) can range from $2,000 to $25,000 depending on location and choices.

Types of Interment

Ground Burial

The most traditional form: a casket is lowered into an excavated grave, typically within a burial vault or grave liner. The grave is backfilled, leveled, and re-sodded. Standard grave depth is approximately 6 feet for a casket burial, 3.5 to 4 feet for a green burial.

Mausoleum Entombment

The casket is placed in an above-ground chamber (crypt) within a mausoleum. The crypt is sealed after placement. Mausoleum spaces are more expensive than ground burial plots but offer a sheltered, weather-protected setting for visitation.

Columbarium Inurnment

A cremation urn is placed in a niche within a columbarium wall. Niches are typically 12 inches by 12 inches and can hold one or two standard-sized urns. A glass or stone front allows the family to place a nameplate and sometimes a small photo.

Cremation Urn Ground Burial

A cremation urn is buried in a cemetery plot, either in a dedicated cremation garden or in a standard plot. Multiple urns can share a single plot. An urn vault (similar to a burial vault but smaller) may be required by the cemetery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between interment and burial?

Interment is the broader term that includes any placement of remains in a final resting place, whether in-ground burial, placement in a mausoleum crypt, or placement of a cremation urn in a columbarium niche. Burial specifically refers to placing remains in the ground. All burials are interments, but not all interments are burials.

How much does interment cost?

The interment fee (for opening and closing the grave) typically ranges from $300 to $1,500 for a casket burial and $200 to $800 for a cremation urn burial. This fee is charged by the cemetery and is separate from the cost of the plot, vault, and funeral services.

What is the interment fee?

The interment fee covers the cost of opening the grave (excavation), placing the casket or urn, and closing the grave (backfilling and re-sodding). It also includes the cemetery staff time for coordinating the committal service. Weekend and holiday interments often carry a surcharge of $200 to $500.

Can cremated remains be interred?

Yes. Cremated remains can be interred in a cemetery plot (buried in the ground in an urn), placed in a columbarium niche, or entombed in a mausoleum crypt. Many cemetery plots can accommodate multiple cremation urns in the same space.

What happens at an interment ceremony?

An interment ceremony (also called a committal service) is a brief gathering at the grave, crypt, or niche. The officiant offers final words, the remains are lowered or placed, and family members may place flowers, soil, or stones. The ceremony typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes.