For many families, a funeral is one of the largest expenses they will incur throughout their lifetime next to purchasing a house or a vehicle. When the time comes to
plan a funeral, the costs should be the least of your concerns. There are many pricey aspects of a funeral that you need to be aware of.
It is important to remember that funeral costs will vary depending on the type of services you choose. A full funeral, a memorial or a cremation are all options you
may want to consider. Costs will fluctuate depending on how elaborate or simple you make the services.
Full Funeral Costs
For a full funeral, expenses can rapidly increase once all products, services and cash advances are bought. Here are the funeral costs you can expect when planning a
full funeral with a cemetery burial:
Basic services fees charged by the funeral home
Removal and transfer of remains to funeral home
Embalming, make-up and clothing services
Use of facilities and staff for viewing
Use of facilities and staff for funeral ceremony
Use of a hearse
Use of a service car or van
Cash advance items: cemetery fees, marker, newspaper notice, minister and death certificates
Casket
Vault
Cash advance items are service items or merchandise that the funeral home buys on your behalf. These usually require payment in advance of the funeral because they are
needed in preparation of the services.
Memorial Service Alternative
A memorial service will help cut funeral costs because it does not include the fees associated with a viewing of the body. The memorial will usually happen after the
cremation or burial has been done. It isn’t any less of a funeral, and is sometimes the better option depending on your circumstances. The memorial can be customized
to fit the style and interests of the loved one. This option is a great way to pay your respects while also staying within a budget.
Cremation
In 2008 the United States cremation rate was about 36%, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. This number continues to rise as more families opt for
cremation rather than a traditional burial. There are many reasons why cremation is becoming more popular, one of which is the cremation costs. An average burial
service will begin around $5,000 and continue to grow from there. However, a funeral with a cremation will lower that cost sometimes by one fifth. With such a low
cremation cost, this service is becoming an attractive option.
Costs of cremation services include:
Casket that the body will be cremated in
Death Certificate and Permits
Transportation of body
Delivery of ashes
Crematory Fees
Cash Advance Items: newspaper notice and minister
Always remember that you can make the funeral or cremation as elaborate or as simple as you want. You are able to customize merchandise and services to keep the
funeral cost inside a budget that is affordable.
Obtaining quotes and doing research on more than one funeral home is a smart idea. As with any other big purchase in life, you want to make sure that you are paying
for quality services and getting the best deal. If you are able to, consider preplanning your funeral to make the process easier on your family in the future.