Montevista | Concord Cemetery Guide: Complete Options
Concord Cemetery Guide: Complete Options
Concord, California families planning burial have several cemetery options in Contra Costa County and nearby areas. This guide helps Concord residents understand cemetery choices, compare costs, and explore burial types.
Cemeteries Serving Concord
Oakmont Memorial Park (Pleasant Hill – Adjacent to Concord)
Location: 3499 Buskirk Avenue, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Overview: Major Contra Costa County cemetery with integrated funeral home. Comprehensive burial options serving Concord and central county.
Burial Options: – Traditional in-ground burial plots – Cremation plots – Columbarium niches – Lawn crypts (above-ground burial vaults) – Family estates – Various religious sections
Facilities: – Extensive cemetery grounds – On-site funeral home – Chapels for services – Beautiful landscaping – Maintained grounds
Estimated Costs: – Burial plots: $3,500-$7,000 – Opening/closing: $1,500-$2,300 – Cremation plots: $2,000-$4,000 – Columbarium niches: $2,500-$5,000 – Lawn crypts: $4,000-$8,000
Integrated Advantage: – Funeral home and cemetery on same property – Simplifies planning – One-stop service
Why Concord Families Choose Oakmont: – Close proximity (adjacent to Concord) – Full range of burial options – Integration with funeral home – Well-maintained grounds – Contra Costa tradition
Concord Community Cemetery
Overview: Local community cemetery serving Concord area
Typical Features: – Community-owned – Traditional burial options – Local Concord connection – Check current availability
Estimated Costs: – Generally more affordable than private cemeteries – Plots: $2,000-$4,500 – Contact directly for current pricing
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Location: Pleasant Hill (near Concord border)
Overview: Community cemetery serving Pleasant Hill and Concord area
Options: – Traditional burial plots – Some cremation options – Community cemetery atmosphere
St. Mary’s Cemetery & Funeral Center (Oakland – 25 minutes)
Location: 4592 Howe Street, Oakland, CA 94611
Overview: Catholic cemetery and funeral center serving Contra Costa and Alameda counties
Burial Options: – Traditional burial – Cremation plots – Columbarium – Mausoleum crypts
Religious Affiliation: – Catholic Diocese – Primarily serves Catholic families – Beautiful grounds in Oakland hills
Estimated Costs: – Burial plots: $4,000-$8,000 – Cremation options: $2,500-$5,000+ – 25 minutes from Concord
Monte Vista Memorial Gardens (Livermore – 30 minutes)
Location: 3201 East Stanley Boulevard, Livermore, CA 94550
Overview: Developing cemetery serving East Bay including Concord. Burial plots available for interment, with staff who can help coordinate funeral and cremation arrangements.
Burial Options: – Traditional in-ground burial plots – Cremation plots – Natural/green burial plots (in development) – All religious and non-sectarian options
Estimated Costs: – Traditional plots: $2,500-$5,000 – Cremation plots: $1,500-$3,000 – Opening/closing: $1,200-$2,000 – Natural burial: $2,000-$4,000
Staff Can Help Coordinate: – Funeral arrangements – Cremation services – Cemetery interment – Contact for current availability and pricing
Why Concord Families Choose Monte Vista: – Competitive pricing: Often $1,000-$3,000 less than Concord area – Staff coordination: Our team can help arrange all services despite distance – Variety: Multiple burial types available or in development – Quality: Open, natural grounds in Livermore – Flexibility: All religious traditions and non-sectarian – Easy access: 30 minutes via I-680
Types of Burial Options
Traditional In-Ground Burial
Standard Cemetery Plot: Full casket burial
Typical Costs (Concord Area): – Plot: $3,000-$7,000 – Opening/closing: $1,500-$2,300 – Vault/liner: $1,200-$3,000 (usually required) – Headstone: $1,500-$5,000+ – Total: $7,200-$17,300+
Cremation Burial Options
In-Ground Cremation Plot: – Smaller plot for urn burial – Plots: $1,500-$4,000 – Opening/closing: $600-$1,200 – Can often bury multiple urns in single plot
Columbarium Niche (where available): – Above-ground urn placement (available at some area cemeteries) – Single niches: $2,000-$4,000 – Companion niches: $3,500-$6,000 – Name plaque included
Cremation Garden: – Landscaped garden setting – In-ground urn burial – Plots: $1,500-$3,500
Lawn Crypts
Above-Ground Burial Vaults: Available at some cemeteries like Oakmont
Features: – Pre-installed concrete vaults in ground – Above water table – No separate vault purchase needed
Costs: – $4,000-$8,000+ – Opening/closing included typically
Green/Natural Burial
Eco-Friendly Option: Growing interest
Characteristics: – Biodegradable casket or shroud – No embalming or green embalming – No concrete vault – Natural landscaping
Availability: – Limited in Concord area – Monte Vista offers natural burial section – $2,000-$4,500 for plot
Mausoleum Crypts
Above-Ground Entombment: Limited availability in Concord area
Options: – St. Mary’s (Oakland) has mausoleum – Indoor or outdoor crypts – $5,000-$15,000+
Cemetery Cost Breakdown
What You’re Paying For
Plot Purchase: – Right to burial in specific location – Perpetual care (ongoing maintenance) – Does NOT include burial service
Opening and Closing: – Excavation – Lowering casket/urn – Filling grave – Ground restoration
Additional Fees: – Headstone installation: $200-$500 – Foundation: $150-$400 – Weekend/holiday: $500-$1,500 surcharge – Vault: $1,200-$3,000 (if required)
Comparing Total Costs
Traditional Burial (Oakmont): – Plot: $5,000 – Opening/closing: $1,800 – Vault: $2,000 – Headstone: $2,500 – Total: $11,300
Traditional Burial (Monte Vista): – Plot: $3,500 – Opening/closing: $1,500 – Vault: $1,800 – Headstone: $2,500 – Total: $9,300 – Savings: $2,000
Cremation Burial (In-Ground, Monte Vista): – Plot: $1,500-$3,000 – Opening/closing: $800 – Marker: $1,200 – Contact Monte Vista for current pricing
Cremation Burial (In-Ground, Other): – Plot: $2,000 – Opening/closing: $800 – Marker: $1,200 – Total: $4,000
Veterans Cemetery Options
Sacramento Valley National Cemetery (Dixon – 45 minutes)
Location: 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620
Overview: National cemetery serving Northern California including Concord area
Services Provided Free: – Burial plot (in-ground or niche) – Opening/closing – Government headstone – Perpetual care – Burial flag
Eligibility: – Honorably discharged veterans – Active duty service members – Spouses and dependents
Contact: 707-693-2460
Why Concord Veterans Choose: – No cost for burial – Maintained by VA – Honorable memorial – Saves $5,000-$15,000+
Choosing a Cemetery from Concord
Questions to Ask
Costs: – Plot cost? – Opening/closing fee? – Are vaults required? – Any additional fees? – Payment plans?
Regulations: – Headstone restrictions? – Decoration policies? – Visiting hours?
Maintenance: – Who maintains grounds? – Quality of care?
Services: – Chapel available? – Works with funeral homes?
Comparing Options
Oakmont (Pleasant Hill): – Pros: Close, integrated funeral home, full options – Cons: Higher pricing – Best for: Convenience, wanting local option, integration
Concord Community Cemetery: – Pros: Local, community connection, affordable – Cons: Limited options – Best for: Budget-conscious, local preference
St. Mary’s (Oakland): – Pros: Catholic cemetery, beautiful grounds – Cons: 25 minutes away, higher pricing – Best for: Catholic families, willing to drive for quality
Monte Vista (Livermore): – Pros: Competitive pricing, staff coordination, multiple burial types, open natural grounds – Cons: 30 minutes away – Best for: Value-conscious, wanting options, staff coordination worth drive
Veterans (Dixon): – Pros: Free for eligible – Cons: 45 minutes, eligibility required – Best for: Eligible veterans and families
Pre-Planning Cemetery Arrangements
Benefits
Financial: – Cemetery costs rise 3-5% annually – Lock in current prices – Payment plans – Savings over time
Practical: – Choose specific location – Ensure availability – Document preferences – Family knows wishes
What to Pre-Plan
Decisions: – Cemetery selection – Burial type – Specific plot location – Headstone style – Budget
Pre-Need Purchase
Buying in Advance: Most cemeteries encourage pre-need purchase
Advantages: – Current pricing – Choose preferred location – Payment plans – Reduces family burden
Cultural and Religious Considerations
Catholic
St. Mary’s Cemetery: – Consecrated Catholic ground – Catholic Diocese – Traditional Catholic families
Protestant/Christian
Most Cemeteries: – Welcome all Christian denominations – Religious sections sometimes available
Non-Denominational
Public and Private Cemeteries: – Welcome all faiths – Non-sectarian sections
Other Traditions
Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist: – Most cemeteries accommodate – Some traditions prefer cremation with ash disposition rather than burial
Cemetery Options for Concord Families: Be Informed
Concord families have diverse cemetery options from nearby Oakmont to Catholic St. Mary’s to alternatives in Livermore. Understanding costs, comparing options, and pre-planning leads to informed decisions.
Key considerations: – Proximity: Oakmont closest, others 25-45 minutes – Integration: Oakmont and Monte Vista offer funeral + cemetery – Cost: Significant variation ($5,000-$15,000+ for complete burial) – Veterans benefits: Eligible families have excellent no-cost option – Distance vs. savings: Balance convenience vs. cost savings
Monte Vista Memorial Gardens welcomes Concord and Contra Costa families with burial plots available for interment and staff who can help coordinate all arrangements. Just 30 minutes from Concord via I-680, we offer competitive pricing, open natural grounds, and traditional and cremation burial options.
Call 510-299-1174 to discuss cemetery options, compare costs, or arrange pre-planning. Serving Concord, Livermore, and all East Bay with respect and transparency. No pressure, just honest information.