Top Five Things to Do if You Don’t Have a Memorial Lot

In a country where family ties run deep, Filipinos take great pride in honoring their departed loved ones — often through visits to beautifully kept memorial parks or family plots. But with the rising cost of memorial lots reaching the millions, many are left wondering: what happens if you don’t have one?

The truth is, a dignified farewell doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. Whether you’re planning ahead or faced with an unexpected loss, there are several respectful and practical alternatives available today. Here are Top Five meaningful options for those who don’t own a memorial lot — proving that remembrance is about love, not location.

1. Consider Cremation

Cremation has become one of the most common alternatives to traditional burials in the Philippines.
• Lower cost: Typically ranges from ₱15,000 to ₱60,000, depending on the funeral home and urn choice.
• Less space needed: You can keep the urn at home, in a columbarium, or even have ashes scattered in a meaningful place (if permitted).
• Columbarium options: Some churches (like The Sanctuarium in Quezon City or St. Therese Columbarium near NAIA) offer long-term niches that cost a fraction of a lot.

2. Lease or Rent a Niche

Some public and private cemeteries offer rental niches for a set number of years (often 5–25 years).
• Ideal for families who can’t buy a permanent lot yet.
• Renewal is usually allowed for an additional fee.
• Be sure to keep documentation — expiration of leases may result in remains being transferred to a communal ossuary.

3. Choose a Public Cemetery

Public cemeteries are more affordable, with burial fees typically ranging from ₱5,000–₱15,000, depending on location and size.
• Local governments manage these cemeteries; inquire through your barangay or city hall.
• Space can be limited, so availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Often, remains may only stay for a fixed number of years before relocation.

4. Look into Memorial Plans

If you’re planning ahead, pre-need memorial plans can help spread the cost of interment, caskets, and services.
• Providers like St. Peter Life Plan, Golden Haven, or Loyola Plans offer installment options.
• Some plans include lot reservation or discounts with partner memorial parks.

5. Explore Family Estates or Provincial Cemeteries

If your family has ancestral land or a private property with a family plot, interment may be allowed with proper permits from the local health and zoning authorities.
• Provincial cemeteries also tend to have lower prices and longer-term interment options than Metro Manila parks.