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The importance of being remembered: Prices for cemetery plots in the US

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  • Canofari, Paolo
  • Marini, Giancarlo
  • Scaramozzino, Pasquale

Abstract

The economic literature on end-of-life choices assumes that the utility of future generations is internalized by current generations through gifts and bequests. This explanation, however, cannot account for the decision to buy cemetery plots. This paper uses an original data set to look at the determinants of the grave prices in the US. “After-life” housing services are complements to “in-life” housing services. We find no evidence of selection bias associated with religious affiliation.

Suggested Citation

  • Canofari, Paolo & Marini, Giancarlo & Scaramozzino, Pasquale, 2017. "The importance of being remembered: Prices for cemetery plots in the US," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 638-645.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:64:y:2017:i:c:p:638-645
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2017.05.002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Real estate; House prices; Grave prices;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L85 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Real Estate Services
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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