While some funeral homes also own cemeteries, not all do. Both can be stand alone organizations. However, all funeral homes and cemeteries work closely together, with some being run by the same organization.

Some companies choose to focus solely on the funeral side of the business and coordinate with other organizations for laying a person to rest. These companies may specialize in cremation or aquamation. Another reason a company may not run a cemetery is that it has a mausoleum instead. This is where a body or cremains can be placed in an above ground burial chamber.

There are also organizations that choose to only focus on providing a final resting place. These cemeteries may focus on providing a natural green burial space or preserving local history through running a pioneer cemetery. The cemetery may have a mausoleum and scatter garden in addition to the burial ground.