A graveside canopy has one job and very little margin for error. It goes up quietly before the family arrives, it holds in whatever weather the day brings, and it is not something anyone should have to notice.
Beyond Tent supplies commercial-grade tents and seating to funeral homes, cemeteries and memorial service providers across the United States, shipping from six US locations.
What this use requires
Funeral service equipment is judged differently from event equipment. The things that matter here are not the things that sell tents elsewhere.
- Fast, quiet setup by a small staff, often between services on the same day
- Reliability in any weather — services do not postpone for rain
- Dignified appearance, which in practice means a clean top, straight lines and no visible wear
- Very high frequency of use, which is why funeral homes need commercial rather than consumer equipment
- Compact transport, since it moves in a vehicle already carrying other equipment
- Long service life, because replacement cycles are a real operating cost at this volume
Sizing
| Tent | Sq ft | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 10’x10’ | 100 | Small graveside — immediate family seated |
| 10’x20’ | 200 | Standard graveside canopy, the most common size |
| 20’x20’ | 400 | Larger family group, or seating plus standing space |
| 20’x40’ | 800 | Large services, celebration of life, reception cover |
| 30’x60’ | 1,800 | Memorial services held outdoors at scale |
Most graveside work is served by a 10x20 or 20x20. Frame tents are clear-span with no centre pole, which matters here for both sightlines and for the space immediately around the committal.
Browse 10-foot-wide and 20-foot-wide frame tents.
Cemetery ground — the practical constraints
Cemetery installs have conditions that do not apply to event sites, and staff usually learn them the hard way.
- Ask before staking. Many cemeteries restrict or prohibit it, and irrigation lines, vaults and adjacent plots all sit below ground you cannot see. Check with cemetery management and follow their direction.
- Ballast where staking is not permitted. See ballast anchoring. Plan for it — it is not a setup-morning improvisation.
- Soft and uneven ground is normal, particularly after rain or recent work. Flooring or artificial turf gives a level, dignified surface and protects the ground.
- Narrow access between plots and monuments limits both the footprint and how equipment reaches the site.
- Adjacent services may be underway. Setup noise and timing matter.
Weather
Services proceed regardless of forecast, which makes weather equipment part of the standard kit rather than an option.
Sidewalls carried always — driving rain usually comes from one direction and a single wall solves it without enclosing the space. Heaters for winter services, where families stand still in cold for extended periods. Fans for summer, where an enclosed canopy in direct sun becomes uncomfortable quickly.
Where wind is a factor, a defined threshold and anchoring plan should exist in advance. Our wind guidance applies here as anywhere, and a small canopy is not exempt.
Permits
Most graveside canopies fall below common permit thresholds, which sit around 400 square feet. Larger memorial and celebration-of-life structures may not.
Every commercial tent we supply is NFPA 701 certified with certificates available to download. Cemeteries and municipal facilities sometimes ask for this documentation regardless of size. Our permit guide covers thresholds.
Equipment
Seating
Folding chairs are the standard — they set and clear quickly and transport compactly. Chair covers where a more formal appearance is wanted.
Ground surface
Synthetic turf and flooring for a level, clean surface on soft or disturbed ground. This is also what makes the space navigable for elderly or mobility-limited attendees — see our guide to accessibility at outdoor events.
Transport and handling
Dollies and carts. At the frequency funeral homes install and strike, reducing handling is a real reduction in staff injury risk.
Replacement
Replacement tops. Appearance matters more in this use than almost any other, and a top that has become discoloured or marked can be replaced without replacing the frame.
Outfitting a funeral home or cemetery? Tell us how many services you cover in a typical week and what your ground conditions are like. We will recommend equipment sized for that frequency — at this volume, commercial construction is the difference between replacing every year and replacing every several years.
We provide formal quotes for purchase orders, and volume pricing for multi-location operators.
866-296-3868. Se habla español.
Common questions
What size is a standard graveside canopy?
10’x20’ covers most services comfortably. 20’x20’ where families are larger or where standing space beyond the seated group is needed.
How many people are needed to set one up?
A 10x20 is manageable by two people in a short time. A 20x20 is more comfortable with three. Tent jacks reduce the effort meaningfully where staff install several times a week.
Can we stake in a cemetery?
Only with cemetery management's direction. Irrigation, vaults and adjacent plots are all below ground you cannot assess visually. Where staking is not permitted, use ballast.
How long will a canopy last with frequent use?
Commercial equipment used several times a week lasts years rather than seasons, provided it is dried before storage. Packing away damp is the fastest route to a top that no longer looks acceptable for this use. See tent top lifespan.
Should we buy or rent?
At the frequency most funeral homes operate, buying is straightforwardly cheaper — a canopy used weekly pays for itself well within a year against rental rates, and you control availability and condition rather than depending on a supplier's schedule.
Are colours other than white available?
Yes. Call and tell us what you need and we will tell you what is available in the size you are looking at.
Talk to us
Call 866-296-3868 — Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST
Email sales@beyondtent.com
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