The Pennsylvania Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association puts out information and responses to common questions on its website — www.pccfa.com — dealing with issues related to cemeteries, burials, cremations and issues associated with those aspects of end-of-life decision making.

Here are some common questions the association wants people to be aware of:

QUESTION: Are cemeteries running out of space?

ANSWER: Some old, small cemeteries have run out of space. However most still have adequate space, especially with the popularity of mausoleums.

QUESTION: Are cemeteries required to be licensed?

ANSWER: Generally, yes they are licensed by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission. The licenses must be posted in the cemetery office. An exception is made for those owned by bona fide church or religious organizations.

QUESTION: What is perpetual care?

ANSWER: Perpetual care usually refers to the correct terms “permanent care” or “endowment care.” These care funds are collected with each interment space sale to maintain the grounds, roads and buildings of the cemetery.

QUESTION: How much is charged for endowment care?

ANSWER: Endowment care is charged at a rate of 15 percent of the gross amount of the funds arising from the sale of lots in the cemetery or the construction cost of each mausoleum crypt or niche.

QUESTION: Are permits required for burials?

ANSWER: Yes, permits are required for burials as well as cremations and disinterments.

QUESTION: Do burial errors ever occur?

ANSWER: People do make mistakes and occasionally burial errors do occur. Pennsylvania requires that if the cemetery becomes aware of a burial in the wrong lot, the cemetery has the duty to identify the casket and reinter it in the correct lot. The cemetery must give notice to the next of kin and the owner if they have so requested.

QUESTION: If I buy a monument or vault now to be used in the future, how do I know it will be purchased when I die?

ANSWER: If you buy now, the items to be delivered in the future are provided for by a state law requiring the seller to deposit 70 percent of the sale amount of the item in a trust fund to be used to supply the item when the death occurs.

QUESTION: Why does the cemetery require a vault?

ANSWER: Although not a law, most cemeteries want to prevent the ground from caving in above the casket and to keep the ground level.

QUESTION: Who owns the interment right when the purchaser dies?

ANSWER: If all of the interment rights are not used when the purchaser or purchasers dies, unless specifically covered in a will, they descend to the heirs according to state law. You should contact an attorney to be sure. One example is if both parents die and there is still one interment space left, that one interment space is owned jointly by all of the surviving children.

QUESTION: Why do people buy mausoleum crypts?

ANSWER: Some people prefer to be above ground. Some feel that since a vault is not required and a smaller marker is used that it is economical.