Perpetual care is a fee, usually a one-time charge, that goes into a fund for maintaining the cemetery.
Varies by provider
How cemeteries handle it
- 1A separate line on a private cemetery’s billPrivate cemeteries often charge it as its own line.One niche package at Larkin Sunset Lawn includes $125 for endowment care (checkout, August 17, 2026).
- 2Part of a city’s budgetCity cemeteries are funded partly by property tax, so upkeep depends on the city’s budget.
Ask“Is perpetual care included in the plot or niche price?”
What it covers
Mowing, watering, roads, and general grounds. It doesn’t usually cover the upkeep of your own headstone or plantings.
Sources
- Wayfinder survey of Salt Lake County funeral home price lists and phone quotes, collected August 11 to September 19, 2026.
- Wayfinder interviews with Salt Lake County funeral and preneed professionals, July and August 2026.
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. Prices change; check the provider’s current price list.