How Plot Donation Works
Donating a burial plot may sound complicated, but most of the process happens through the cemetery.
Pierced Forever Foundation can accept donated burial plots from anywhere in the United States, but the cemetery controls the transfer process. That means the first step is not filling out a long form with us. The first step is contacting the cemetery and asking what they require.
This guide explains the basic process from the first cemetery call to the completed donation.
Contact the Cemetery First
Start by calling or emailing the cemetery where the burial plot is located.
Tell them you own, inherited, or control a burial plot and would like to donate it to a nonprofit organization.
You can say:
“Hi, I have a burial plot at your cemetery that I may want to donate to Pierced Forever Foundation. Can you tell me what your process is for transferring a burial plot to a nonprofit?”
If they ask for our information, give them:
Pierced Forever Foundation
30850 Telegraph Rd, Ste 250
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
The cemetery may call the transfer a deed transfer, deed of gift, title transfer, assignment of rights, transfer of interment rights, or relinquishment of rights. Different cemeteries use different language.
The important thing is simple:
Ask the cemetery how to transfer the burial plot to Pierced Forever Foundation.
Confirm the Plot Can Be Donated
Before anything moves forward, the cemetery needs to confirm that the plot can actually be transferred.
Ask them:
This matters because every cemetery has its own rules.
Some cemeteries allow donated transfers easily. Some require special forms. Some require notarized signatures. Some need approval from management. If the plot was inherited, the cemetery may require proof of authority, a death certificate, or signatures from other heirs.
Do not worry if you do not know all of this yet. That is why the cemetery call comes first.
If You Cannot Find the Deed or Certificate
If you cannot find the original cemetery deed, burial deed, lot certificate, or interment rights certificate, contact the cemetery’s records office.
Many cemeteries can look up ownership in their records and tell you whether a replacement certificate, affidavit, or other documentation is needed.
Do not assume the plot cannot be donated just because the original paperwork is missing. Start with the cemetery and ask what they have on file.
Ask About Transfer Fees
Some cemeteries charge a transfer fee or administrative fee.
Pierced Forever Foundation does not charge donors to donate a burial plot, but we also do not cover cemetery transfer fees.
Sometimes cemeteries waive transfer fees when they understand the plot is being donated to help a family in need. This is not guaranteed, but it is worth asking.
You can say:
“Since this plot is being donated to a nonprofit to help families after child loss, would the cemetery consider waiving or reducing the transfer fee?”
If the cemetery says no, the donor is responsible for deciding whether to move forward and cover the fee.
Complete the Cemetery’s Required Paperwork
The cemetery will tell you what forms are needed.
This may include:
The cemetery should tell you exactly what is needed.
The most important thing is to follow their process. The cemetery is the one that updates the official records and confirms when the burial plot has been transferred.
Send Pierced Forever Anything We Need to Sign
In many cases, the cemetery may need Pierced Forever Foundation to sign paperwork accepting the plot.
Once your portion is complete, the cemetery can send us anything we need to review or sign.
Please do not send incomplete paperwork if the cemetery has not told you what is required yet. It is much easier when the cemetery first confirms the correct process.
The Cemetery Completes the Transfer
The donation is not finished until the cemetery officially transfers the burial plot into Pierced Forever Foundation’s name or otherwise confirms the completed donation according to its records.
This part is important.
A donation is not complete just because someone intends to donate a plot. It is complete when the cemetery finishes the transfer and the ownership or rights have been officially updated.
Ask the cemetery:
“How will I know when the transfer is complete?”
You may receive written confirmation, a completed transfer form, or updated cemetery documentation.
Please keep a copy of the final transfer confirmation for your records.
Pierced Forever Provides a Donation Receipt
After the transfer is complete, Pierced Forever Foundation can provide a donation receipt.
For tax questions, valuation questions, or whether your donation qualifies as deductible, please speak with a qualified tax professional. We can provide a receipt for the completed donation, but we cannot give tax advice.
Simple Process Summary
1. Contact the cemetery first.
Ask how to transfer or donate the plot to Pierced Forever Foundation.
2. Confirm the plot can be transferred.
Make sure it is unused, transferable, and eligible for donation.
3. Complete the cemetery’s paperwork.
Follow the cemetery’s process and gather any required documents.
4. Send Pierced Forever anything we need to sign.
The cemetery or donor can send us the forms once the cemetery confirms what is needed.
5. Wait for the cemetery to complete the transfer.
The cemetery must update its records before the donation is complete.
6. Receive a donation receipt.
Pierced Forever can provide a receipt after the transfer is finished.
The Main Thing to Remember
The donation process begins with the cemetery.
That one phone call tells you what is possible, what paperwork is required, whether there are fees, and what Pierced Forever Foundation needs to sign.
You do not have to figure it all out alone.
Start with the cemetery. Ask the right questions. Then the next step becomes clear.
Ready to Donate?
If you have already spoken with the cemetery and are ready to move forward, visit our burial plot donation page.
Pierced Forever Foundation can accept donated burial plots from anywhere in the United States, but the cemetery controls the transfer process. That means the first step is not filling out a long form with us. The first step is contacting the cemetery and asking what they require.
This guide explains the basic process from the first cemetery call to the completed donation.
Contact the Cemetery First
Start by calling or emailing the cemetery where the burial plot is located.
Tell them you own, inherited, or control a burial plot and would like to donate it to a nonprofit organization.
You can say:
“Hi, I have a burial plot at your cemetery that I may want to donate to Pierced Forever Foundation. Can you tell me what your process is for transferring a burial plot to a nonprofit?”
If they ask for our information, give them:
Pierced Forever Foundation
30850 Telegraph Rd, Ste 250
Bingham Farms, MI 48025
The cemetery may call the transfer a deed transfer, deed of gift, title transfer, assignment of rights, transfer of interment rights, or relinquishment of rights. Different cemeteries use different language.
The important thing is simple:
Ask the cemetery how to transfer the burial plot to Pierced Forever Foundation.
Confirm the Plot Can Be Donated
Before anything moves forward, the cemetery needs to confirm that the plot can actually be transferred.
Ask them:
- Is the plot unused?
- Who is listed as the owner?
- Can the plot be transferred to a nonprofit?
- Are there any restrictions on the plot?
- Are there any transfer fees?
- Who needs to sign the paperwork?
This matters because every cemetery has its own rules.
Some cemeteries allow donated transfers easily. Some require special forms. Some require notarized signatures. Some need approval from management. If the plot was inherited, the cemetery may require proof of authority, a death certificate, or signatures from other heirs.
Do not worry if you do not know all of this yet. That is why the cemetery call comes first.
If You Cannot Find the Deed or Certificate
If you cannot find the original cemetery deed, burial deed, lot certificate, or interment rights certificate, contact the cemetery’s records office.
Many cemeteries can look up ownership in their records and tell you whether a replacement certificate, affidavit, or other documentation is needed.
Do not assume the plot cannot be donated just because the original paperwork is missing. Start with the cemetery and ask what they have on file.
Ask About Transfer Fees
Some cemeteries charge a transfer fee or administrative fee.
Pierced Forever Foundation does not charge donors to donate a burial plot, but we also do not cover cemetery transfer fees.
Sometimes cemeteries waive transfer fees when they understand the plot is being donated to help a family in need. This is not guaranteed, but it is worth asking.
You can say:
“Since this plot is being donated to a nonprofit to help families after child loss, would the cemetery consider waiving or reducing the transfer fee?”
If the cemetery says no, the donor is responsible for deciding whether to move forward and cover the fee.
Complete the Cemetery’s Required Paperwork
The cemetery will tell you what forms are needed.
This may include:
- A cemetery transfer form
- A deed, burial deed, lot certificate, or certificate of interment rights
- A donation, assignment, or transfer form
- A death certificate, if the original owner has passed away
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration, if required
- A will, affidavit of heirship, or small estate affidavit, if required
- Signatures from owners, heirs, or co-owners
- A copy of government-issued photo ID, if required
- Notarized documents, if required
The cemetery should tell you exactly what is needed.
The most important thing is to follow their process. The cemetery is the one that updates the official records and confirms when the burial plot has been transferred.
Send Pierced Forever Anything We Need to Sign
In many cases, the cemetery may need Pierced Forever Foundation to sign paperwork accepting the plot.
Once your portion is complete, the cemetery can send us anything we need to review or sign.
Please do not send incomplete paperwork if the cemetery has not told you what is required yet. It is much easier when the cemetery first confirms the correct process.
The Cemetery Completes the Transfer
The donation is not finished until the cemetery officially transfers the burial plot into Pierced Forever Foundation’s name or otherwise confirms the completed donation according to its records.
This part is important.
A donation is not complete just because someone intends to donate a plot. It is complete when the cemetery finishes the transfer and the ownership or rights have been officially updated.
Ask the cemetery:
“How will I know when the transfer is complete?”
You may receive written confirmation, a completed transfer form, or updated cemetery documentation.
Please keep a copy of the final transfer confirmation for your records.
Pierced Forever Provides a Donation Receipt
After the transfer is complete, Pierced Forever Foundation can provide a donation receipt.
For tax questions, valuation questions, or whether your donation qualifies as deductible, please speak with a qualified tax professional. We can provide a receipt for the completed donation, but we cannot give tax advice.
Simple Process Summary
1. Contact the cemetery first.
Ask how to transfer or donate the plot to Pierced Forever Foundation.
2. Confirm the plot can be transferred.
Make sure it is unused, transferable, and eligible for donation.
3. Complete the cemetery’s paperwork.
Follow the cemetery’s process and gather any required documents.
4. Send Pierced Forever anything we need to sign.
The cemetery or donor can send us the forms once the cemetery confirms what is needed.
5. Wait for the cemetery to complete the transfer.
The cemetery must update its records before the donation is complete.
6. Receive a donation receipt.
Pierced Forever can provide a receipt after the transfer is finished.
The Main Thing to Remember
The donation process begins with the cemetery.
That one phone call tells you what is possible, what paperwork is required, whether there are fees, and what Pierced Forever Foundation needs to sign.
You do not have to figure it all out alone.
Start with the cemetery. Ask the right questions. Then the next step becomes clear.
Ready to Donate?
If you have already spoken with the cemetery and are ready to move forward, visit our burial plot donation page.