What Is Perpetual Care and How Does It Work in Iowa?
When families begin planning a memorial, there are several cemetery terms and fees they may encounter. One of those terms is perpetual care.
Perpetual care is connected to the long-term maintenance of a cemetery. It is separate from the cost of a headstone and can be an important part of understanding the total cost of cemetery arrangements.
For Iowa families, knowing how perpetual care works can make the memorial planning process easier and help avoid unexpected questions later.
What Is Perpetual Care?
Perpetual care refers to the ongoing care and maintenance of a cemetery's grounds.
A cemetery that operates as a perpetual care cemetery establishes an irrevocable trust fund for the general care and maintenance of the cemetery. In Iowa, perpetual care cemeteries are subject to reporting requirements through the Iowa Insurance Division. (Iowa Insurance Division)
Funds designated for perpetual care are intended to help support the cemetery over the long term. This can include general grounds maintenance and upkeep of shared cemetery spaces.
It is important to remember that perpetual care does not mean that every type of maintenance is automatically covered. The services included can vary by cemetery.
Is Perpetual Care the Same as a Headstone?
No. Perpetual care relates to the cemetery and its grounds. A headstone or monument is a separate purchase that identifies and honors the person buried at the cemetery.
Families may have several different costs associated with a burial and memorial, including:
Cemetery lot or grave space
Perpetual care
Opening and closing of the grave
Foundation or setting fees
Permit fees
Headstone or monument
Additional memorial accessories
These costs can vary from one cemetery to another.
For more information about headstone expenses, read What Affects the Cost of a Headstone?.
What Does Perpetual Care Cover?
Perpetual care generally relates to the ongoing maintenance of the cemetery grounds.
Depending on the cemetery, this may include general care such as:
Mowing
Landscaping
Grounds maintenance
Upkeep of common areas
The exact services can vary. Families should ask the cemetery for details about what its perpetual care program covers.
Perpetual care is also different from caring for the headstone itself. Families may still need to take steps to protect and maintain a memorial.
Our guide How to Clean a Headstone Safely Before Memorial Day offers tips for caring for a memorial.
Is Perpetual Care Included in the Cost of a Cemetery Plot?
It depends on the cemetery.
Some cemeteries may include perpetual care as part of the purchase price or another cemetery charge. Others may list it as a separate fee.
Before purchasing a cemetery space, ask:
Is perpetual care included?
Is there a separate perpetual care fee?
What does the fee cover?
Are there additional maintenance charges?
Are headstone foundation or setting fees separate?
Are there rules for flowers and other decorations?
Getting these answers ahead of time can help you understand the total cost of cemetery arrangements.
For more questions to ask, read Top Questions to Ask Your Cemetery Before Installing a Headstone.
Perpetual Care and Headstone Installation
Families sometimes assume that paying for perpetual care also covers the installation of a headstone. These are generally separate matters.
A cemetery may have its own requirements for:
Monument foundations
Installation
Placement
Monument size
Approved materials
Permits
These requirements can affect the overall cost and timeline for a memorial.
Before ordering a headstone, it is helpful to understand the cemetery's rules. Our article What to Know Before Ordering a Custom Headstone in Iowa explains some of the questions families should consider.
Public and Private Cemeteries Can Have Different Rules
Cemetery ownership can also affect the rules families encounter.
Public cemeteries may be managed by a city, township, or other government entity. Private cemeteries may be operated by organizations, religious groups, or private owners.
Each cemetery can have its own policies regarding memorials, maintenance, fees, and installation.
Learn more in Public vs. Private Cemeteries: What Iowa Families Should Know.
Questions to Ask About Perpetual Care
If you are planning a burial or memorial, asking a few questions early can help prevent surprises.
Consider asking the cemetery:
Is this a perpetual care cemetery?
Is there a perpetual care fee?
What does the fee cover?
Is the fee included in the price of the grave space?
Are there additional cemetery maintenance fees?
Are headstone installation and foundation costs separate?
What rules apply to flowers and other decorations?
Who should families contact with future maintenance questions?
A cemetery representative can explain the specific policies that apply to your loved one's burial space.
Planning a Memorial With Clear Expectations
Perpetual care is one part of the larger cemetery and memorial planning process. It is intended to support the long-term care of cemetery grounds, while the headstone serves as a lasting tribute to the person being remembered.
Every Iowa cemetery can have its own fees, policies, and requirements. Taking time to ask questions before ordering a monument can help families understand the full process and make decisions with greater confidence.
At McCall Monument, we understand that families have many questions when planning a memorial. We are here to help explain the monument process, coordinate with cemeteries when needed, and create a lasting tribute that honors your loved one's life with care.
Note: Cemetery fees and perpetual care policies can vary. For questions about a specific cemetery's fees or trust, families should contact the cemetery directly. Iowa's current perpetual care requirements are outlined by the Iowa Insurance Division. (Iowa Insurance Division)
Have Questions or Ready to Begin?
We're here to help you honor your loved one with care and dignity. Reach out to our compassionate team for guidance or to schedule a consultation.
Contact McCall Monument