Missing are the Bethel Church records stating the price of interning a loved one at Bethel Burying Ground for a congregant or stranger (non-congregant). Hopefully, one day they will resurface. What we do have is the records of “The First Colored Wesley Methodist Church” that stood 90′ from Bethel Church (see below). Sometimes referred to as “Big Wesley” or “Brick Wesley,” it was established by “disaffected Bethelites” that broke away from Bethel in 1820. In addition to their house of worship that used the land around the church as a burying ground for their congregants and strangers. On November 11, 1830, the trustees decided to raise the prices of burials to $4 and $2 for adults and children of the congregation. And $8 and $4 for adult and child strangers. These charges are in addition to the price of a tombstone, coffin, a shrouder and bier or hearse, if necessary. This all in an era where the typical African American Philadelphians who labored for a living was making around $5 a week.
The cost of burying a body in the Potter’s Field – $0.
Bethel Burying Ground Project 