Burying a St. Joseph Statue to Help Sell Your Home: History and Instructions

What is a St. Joseph statue?

Venerated as a saint by several Christian traditions, St. Joseph is a biblical figure widely recognized from Christmas nativity scenes. He is often depicted as the strong, silent guardian watching over his wife, Mary, and the newborn Jesus in the manger.

St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, families, and working people, is also regarded as the patron saint of home sellers. Many religiously devout individuals possess statues of various sizes to honor him, and some bury these statues as part of a tradition believed to assist in selling a home. This practice may stem from the biblical narrative of Joseph having to uproot his family multiple times and establish a home in unfamiliar lands.

What is the history of burying a St. Joseph statue to sell a house?

There is a rich tradition of stories surrounding St. Joseph, who is often said to appear just in time to assist the faithful with carpentry challenges and other needs.

One account of how the practice of burying St. Joseph’s effigy began involves St. Teresa of Avila, a nun in the 1500s. She had difficulty finding land for a new convent, so she prayed to St. Joseph and buried blessed medals of him, encouraging other nuns to do the same. Soon after, they found the right parcel of land, and this practice became more widely adopted, eventually evolving into the burial of statues.

Fast-forward to modern times, individuals with varying degrees of religious affiliation believe that burying a St. Joseph statue can aid in selling a home. It’s hard to say how widespread the practice is, but it gained popularity in the 1990s and continues to attract significant demand. Sellers frequently acquire these statues from online retailers for this purpose.

However, among Catholics, there is varied sentiment regarding this tradition. For some, burying the statue as a form of prayer to St. Joseph is viewed as a legitimate expression of faith. Others, however, consider it a superstitious practice akin to carrying a rabbit’s foot for good luck, which contradicts the teachings of the Church.

Regardless of your view on the matter, be forewarned that some may find the idea of burning statues of saints (especially upside down, as we’ll explain below) to be offensive.

How should a St. Joseph statue be buried to sell a house?

Since the ritual is not an officially recognized religious tradition, there is no standardized way to perform the burial. However, according to online sources, it is described as straightforward and uncomplicated.

Step 1: Purchase and prepare the statue

It’s advisable to buy a small statue, only a few inches in height, to avoid creating a large hole in your yard while attempting to sell your home. This helps prevent any potential concerns from buyers who might find a visibly disturbed section of ground either unappealing or questionable, which could lead to awkward explanations.

You can purchase a St. Joseph statue from Catholic supply stores or online retailers, some of which offer burial kits. As a sign of respect, it’s recommended that you wrap the statue in a towel or plastic bag before burying it in a chosen spot in your yard.

Step 2: Bury the statue

Here are some popular places or positions according to the tradition:

• Bury it next to the “for sale” sign.
• Bury it near the road with the statue facing away from the house to symbolize leaving.
• Some bury it upside down, suggesting the statue will free itself by getting the house sold.
• Bury it right-side up but face-up, pointing toward the house.
• Choose a spot three feet away from the rear of the house or near a flower bed.
• If you’re selling a condo, burying the statue in a flower pot is an option.

Pro tip: If you opt for a larger statue, remember to call your local utility companies before you dig to make sure there aren’t any underground power, water or telecommunications lines that could be damaged in the process.

Step 2 option: Display the statue

If you’re especially devout or just concerned about potentially disrespecting someone else’s faith, consider just keeping the statue unburied in your home. You can even select a spot near the front door to signify that you’ll be leaving the home soon, or by a window looking out at the “for sale” sign.

Step 3: Pray or recite

This step likely reflects St. Teresa’s original intent: prayer. If your kit includes a prayer card, you can use it for recitation. Alternatively, if you need guidance, internet searches offer various prayers invoking the saint’s intercession. Repeat daily until the house sells.

Alternatively, you may choose to recite a novena, a series of prayers traditionally said over nine days. There are specific prayers to St. Joseph that ask for assistance in selling a house. While not all of these prayers may be officially endorsed by religious authorities, you are free to use any that resonate with you.

Step 4: Retrieve the statue

When your home sells, it is advisable to retrieve the statue as a gesture of respect and to avoid potential complications, as suggested in the tradition. You can also express gratitude through a prayer and choose to bring the statue with you to your new home, if desired.

While the recommended practice is to retrieve the statue from the ground once the house is sold, the exact timing can vary based on interpretation. According to one source, it is suggested to dig up the statue as soon as “the contract is signed and the final details are in order.”

How common is it for home sellers to bury a St. Joseph statue?

While no scientific studies have measured the prevalence of burying St. Joseph statues, anecdotal evidence suggests it has been a fairly common practice for the past three decades. Some real estate agents have even purchased statues in bulk to distribute to their clients.

The outcomes of this practice vary widely. For example, one St. Joseph statue kit sold online received an 83% five-star rating from more than 9,500 reviews. Many customers enthusiastically reported that their homes sold shortly after using the tradition, often achieving prices above the asking price. However, more moderate reviews indicated mixed experiences, with some users not attributing their success to the statue. A smaller number of negative reviews expressed disappointment with the tradition’s efficacy.

Is burying a St. Joseph statue right for you?

Deciding whether to bury a St. Joseph statue to assist in selling your home is a personal choice. Individuals of any religious background can choose to participate in this tradition, though having a connection to the saint may enhance the experience.

For those interested in trying it out, St. Joseph statues are relatively inexpensive, with small plastic versions costing just a few dollars. Larger and more intricately crafted statues can range in price from tens to hundreds of dollars.

While the steps to follow the tradition are straightforward, some religiously devout individuals may opt to have their statues blessed by a priest or spiritual advisor before burial. If you intend to keep the statue after the sale and display it in your home, investing in a professionally crafted statue might be worth considering.

For those who choose not to bury a St. Joseph statue but still wish to honor him during the home-selling process, there are alternative methods:

• The color red is associated with St. Joseph’s spiritual power, so you can plant red flowers or add a splash of red on a door or mailbox.
• Add red elements to your staging, even if it’s just red flowers in a vase.
• Get a red “for sale” sign.
• Plant some lilies in a flower bed since they, too, are associated with the saint.
• St. Joseph pastries, also known as Zeppole di San Giuseppe, are traditional Italian cream-filled pastries originating from the Campania region. They typically are enjoyed on March 19th, St. Joseph’s feast day. Sharing these pastries with your agent would be a thoughtful gesture.

Partner with a top agent to boost your selling power

While burying a St. Joseph statue to help sell your home is an optional move based on personal beliefs and preferences, getting the help of a top-selling agent is essential.

A professional, seasoned agent can lend their expertise on the whole process — from what maintenance or remodeling items to prioritize to staging, pricing, showing, and more. In short, a great real estate agent is one of the best guarantees your house will get sold.

HomeLight can assist you in finding a great agent with tools backed by data on millions of housing transactions nationwide. Using HomeLight’s Agent Match gives you a powerful tool in your journey toward a fast and lucrative sale. Just don’t forget your St. Joseph’s statue on moving day!

Header Image Source: (Michael O’Sullivan / Unsplash)