Prospect Hill is more than a registered landmark – it is also an active cemetery with full burial lots and options for those who wish to be cremated. Prospect Hill Cemetery is not religiously affiliated and does not discriminate on any basis. Prospect Hill Cemetery does not sell burial goods such as markers and monuments, but can direct you to trusted vendors.

While it can be difficult to make cemetery arrangements, purchasing a lot in advance is an important and loving way to reduce stress for your loved ones and ensure that your wishes are honored.

To purchase a lot, contact the cemetery and a representative will respond to your request in a timely manner. Prospect Hill Cemetery is designated under Maryland law as a perpetual care cemetery, where 10% of every lot sale is placed into a perpetual care fund for maintenance of the cemetery grounds.

Although the cemetery does not sell monuments, we manage lot sales, installation of corner markers and coordinate the arrangements for burials. The cemetery can provide the names of reputable vendors with long experience in the cemetery. After a death, the family may elect to use the services of a funeral home.

For a traditional ground burial, a vault is required to hold a casket. These are purchased through a funeral director. Vault prices vary depending on the family’s choice; prices range from $600 to $10,000. A vault is a sealed concrete or metal container which holds the casket and protects it from water damage or the weight of heavy equipment passing over it. Prospect Hill does not permit vaults made of plastic or fiberglass. A vault is not required for inurnments, or the burial of a cremation urn. Up to three cremation urns may be placed in a full size lot, provided the family has given required advance notice.

To schedule a burial, the family (or funeral home, if one is being used) should contact the Herbert W. Tracey Company at 410-472-4100 to open/close the grave. Please remember that the date of a burial must be scheduled through the cemetery office (410-252-8462) or email at least three days in advance.

To order monuments or grave markers, the family contacts a monument company directly. Several reputable monument companies have performed work at Prospect Hill. Monument designs must be approved by a cemetery representative in advance of purchase. Arrangements for monument installation needs to be scheduled by the monument company with the cemetery at least three business days in advance and are subject to other scheduled activity in the cemetery (including maintenance work or another funeral).

Please note that maintenance of a grave monument or marker is the on-going responsibility of the family who purchased it. Monuments and markers provided by the Veterans Administration remain the property of that entity.

Make Your Arrangements in Advance

Just as estate planning and creating a will are responsible actions, planning your final arrangements in advance makes emotional and financial sense and protects your loved ones from the burden of planning services for you. 
Advantages include:

  • Eliminate guesswork for your family. When you make your cemetery arrangements in advance, you’ll help alleviate your family’s burden of making sensitive decisions at a difficult time. With your wishes recorded, they won’t be left to guess what you would have wanted.
  • Personalize your service. 
When you make your final arrangements in advance, you can influence the personal details that are important to you. Celebrate your life, your way.

Advantages of a burial site for cremated remains

Many people overlook the importance of having a permanent location for the cremated remains of their loved one. The advantages of a permanent home include:

  • The ceremony involved in placing an urn in the plot provides closure for friends and family
  • It provides a place to visit the loved one both now and for future generations
  • It prevents ashes from being misplaced or mistakenly discarded

Military Honors

Military honors for a veteran’s burial can be arranged, with proper advance notice, through the funeral home.