Indiana law permits private burials on land owned by an individual or family. This generally requires adherence to specific regulations, often overseen at the county level, regarding setbacks from property lines, water sources, and public roads. A properly filed death certificate and burial permit are also mandatory. Creating a designated family cemetery involves careful planning and documentation to ensure compliance with these regulations and to facilitate future maintenance and identification of burial sites.
Choosing burial on personal property offers families several potential advantages. It can provide a deeply personal and meaningful final resting place, offering privacy and enduring connection to ancestral land. This practice can also be more cost-effective than traditional cemetery interment, avoiding plot purchase and ongoing maintenance fees. Historically, family burial grounds were common, reflecting a stronger connection between families and their land. Modern regulations aim to balance these traditional practices with public health and land use considerations.
