The Economics of Everyday Things 42. Cemeteries
Apr 1, 2024
Experts in the burial industry discuss the financial intricacies and evolution of cemeteries in America, including costs, perpetual care, and market challenges. They cover topics like tax filing, planning for burial plots, online listing services, and the shift towards cremation. The podcast also explores the fascination with mausoleums and includes sponsored messages from Tax Act, Ashley, and Capella University.
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Cemetery Origins
- Modern cemeteries originated with organized religion and European settlers.
- Urbanization led to overcrowded, unsanitary church graveyards, prompting the creation of "rural cemeteries".
Cemeteries as Real Estate
- Cemeteries are essentially a real estate business.
- They offer various burial options catering to different budgets, from basic to extravagant.
Burial Rights, Not Land Ownership
- When purchasing a cemetery plot, customers buy burial rights, not the land itself.
- This is an easement, granting usage for burial, not ownership.