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October 04, 2021

People selling burial plots to free up cash: report

What’s been surprising about this stinking economy, ever since it started to dip back in 2008, is the macabre spinoff stories it’s generated.

For instance, back in April of 2009, cremations were first noted to be on the rise because of the downturn. Then, a few months later, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office reported more bodies were going unclaimed because family members couldn’t afford to bury loved ones.

But now, even two years removed from the official recession, the not-yet-healed economy is giving some consumers grim reasons to free up a quick buck.

According to WPTV out of the U.S., many Americans are selling their burial plots in exchange for much-needed cash.

WPTV in Florida details the story of one 28-year-old Yank trying to sell two pre-purchased burial plots. They were left to her by her grandparents, who have since moved out of the state.

*Bing: Search burial plot listings

Certainly, most 28-year-olds don’t own their own burial plots, but by the estimation of one Florida funeral home owner, many more people of all ages are trying to sell off their pre-purchased plots than ever before.

In fairness, this isn’t an entirely new trend.

Back in the summer of 2010 it was widely speculated that a buyer’s market was out there for burial plots.

Some plots, if you surfed Craigslist or Kijiji, were going for thousands under market value.

Still, the lesson remains: even now, as our savings rates continue to lull, it’s clear we simply aren’t ready to have our money tied up in the future just yet.

By Jason Buckland, MSN Money

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Gordon PowersGordon Powers

A long-time fund company executive, Gordon Powers now heads up the Affinity Group, a financial services consulting firm. Gordon was a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail for many years, has taught retirement planning...

Jason BucklandJason Buckland

The modern-day MC Hammer of money, Jason can often be seen spending cash that isn’t his with the efficiency of a Wilt Chamberlain first date. After cutting his teeth as a reporter for the Toronto Sun, he joined the MSN Money team with...