What Is the Size of a Standard Grave?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 31, 2020

A standard grave is 2 1/2 feet wide by 8 feet long, according to the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association. These dimensions take into account room for a marker or headstone.

The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association also recommends that cemeteries allot a certain number of 3-foot by 9-foot and 4-foot by 10-foot spaces to accommodate interments of individuals who may require a lot that exceeds standard measurements. The traditional depth of a grave, for sanitary and health reasons, is 6 feet. Leo Tolstoy’s short story “How Much Land Does a Man Need” suggests “six feet from head to toe.”