Costs To Consider Before Planning A Funeral

With all the expenses of planning a funeral, you'll want to know what to expect. This will help you save as much money as possible during this difficult time. You could end up spending thousands more than you need to if you don't do this research.

Funeral Home Fee:

A funeral home's basic service fee is typically around $2,000. This fee usually includes the viewing for family and friends and the burial. Many funeral homes offer a variety of packages, each of which provides for different things. You'll want to learn about each place's additional options for shopping around. It is highly recommended that you purchase insurance for burial with the most affordable policies available so that no vast expenses are incurred upon any of your family members at the funeral.

Casket:

Those who decide to go the burial route when planning a funeral will need to pay for a casket. A very basic metal casket costs approximately $2,000. Most funeral homes offer lots of extras that aren't necessary and inflate the price considerably. Make sure you understand your casket options before deciding on anything in particular.

There is also the vault, which is put around the casket to keep it from becoming severely damaged over time. Also referred to as grave liners, most cemeteries require these for each buried person. A vault will cost you about $1,400.

Flowers:

The flowers you have at the funeral service can range from $300 to $700, depending on your pick. Take the time to look into some businesses that make flower arrangements for funerals. This is a great way to keep costs down when planning a funeral.

Embalming:

Many people choose to have their deceased loved ones embalmed, which preserves their remains. The average cost of this particular service is around $700, though some places charge more. You will unlikely be legally obligated to pay for this service, though it depends on where you live.

Hearse:

There is also the cost of having your loved one's body transported from the funeral home to the burial site via hearsay. This transportation service typically costs a few hundred dollars, and it is necessary if you opt for burial instead of cremation.

Cremation:

If you have decided to have your loved one cremated, there will be a standard fee of around $300. This is significantly cheaper than a burial, so you'll save a lot of money. You can buy an urn to put their remains in, which costs at least $250. There is also the option of using your own container for the ashes. There is no charge if you choose to supply your own urn.

Transportation:

You can hire transportation to and from the funeral, which costs around $150. This particular service is entirely optional and not typically utilized. If you have any family or friends who can drive you, it is not worth paying for this.

Body Preparation:

Funeral homes' hairdressing and makeup services usually cost over $200. This will ensure that your loved one is presented in the most dignified way possible for viewing.

Printing Services:

If you have a funeral home service for your loved one, you'll probably have to pay for printing services. This includes any pamphlets or prayer cards that you want to be made up. These will be available to everyone who attends the service at the funeral home.

Burial Plot:

The average cost of a burial plot is about $2,000, though it varies depending on the cemetery and specific area you choose. If you want your loved one buried in a private cemetery, you must pay significantly more for a plot.

Headstone:

There is also the headstone, which costs at least a couple hundred dollars. There are tons of different grave markers that you will be able to choose from. You can get anything from a humble tombstone to a giant statue at the gravesite. The total amount you pay will depend on the size and material of the marker. There are definitely some options that are more expensive than others.

Conclusion:

Planning a funeral might not be a joyous occasion where friends, relatives, and neighbors gather together in a happy union. But it always bodes well when the funeral scene is chalked out, and the costs are all resolved. This could help you manage the expenses better and deal with grief without the omnipresent and overhanging burden of funeral expenses.