“Owning a home next to a cemetery could rule out some buyers when going to sell, which would limit your pool of potential buyers,” says Finn. Cons: Houses stay longer on the marketĪ home next to a cemetery doesn’t exactly offer cachet, and as a result, properties near cemeteries tend to spend more time on the market. However, a growing number of “green” cemeteries provide natural burials that have as little impact on the earth as possible. This fluid contains formaldehyde, a respiratory irritant and known carcinogen, according to Funeral Consumers Alliance. In the U.S., about 5.3 million gallons of embalming fluid are used every year. The decomposition of bodies can pass through the soil and into groundwater, and studies have shown that these chemicals may cause environmental contamination and groundwater pollution over time. One concern that may not be as obvious is the risk from toxic chemicals used to embalm bodies. Cons: Contamination or pollution from cemetery “The cemetery could give some people a creepy or uneasy feeling,” says Finn. And some buyers might not care for a concrete reminder of their mortality just across the street.

Fear of ghosts wandering over to haunt the home and the feeling that it’s taboo to live by a cemetery can keep home buyers from considering these properties. Still, cemeteries just plain freak out some people (a few of whom have a full-on phobia, coimetrophobia).

So as long as you don’t look directly out on gravestones from the house, some of our buyers may appreciate a discounted price and enjoy the quiet neighbors,” Finn says. “Most of the cemeteries in our area have a buffer between the cemetery and the house. That’s good news for buyers looking for more affordable homes, who don’t mind living next to rows of tombstones.įinn says her team doesn’t have clients who specifically avoid buying near a cemetery. Pros: Affordable housingĪccording to research by ®, the median home price in neighborhoods with a cemetery are about 12% lower than similar homes in other areas without graveyards. “When I’ve traveled to different states and locations, I’ve definitely seen ones that aren’t as aesthetically desirable,” she says. However, while DeBianchi says the cemeteries that are in her area are well-maintained and landscaped, that’s not always the case elsewhere. “I feel that buying a home near a cemetery offers a quiet, well-maintained setting, and oftentimes cemeteries are beautifully landscaped and picturesque,” says Holly Finn with the Finn Team at Coldwell Banker West Shell in Cincinnati. Homeowners likely won’t have to worry about developments being raised in their area. Pros: Well-maintained green space with no developments nearbyĬemeteries are typically well-manicured, with flowers and trees in a parklike setting.

“With that said, noise can happen in any area, whether you’re near a cemetery or not,” says DeBianchi. “If you’re living by a cemetery, you’ll have lots of ‘neighbors,’ but it most certainly will be quiet,” says DeBianchi, who’s also a host on Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing Miami.”īut she says buyers should keep in mind that funeral processions, earth movers, visitors, and overall maintenance could create noise at times. When you enter a cemetery, you usually get the impression of a peaceful green expanse. Considering buying a home and settling down near other people’s final resting place? Here are some things to think about.

Hard west graves