Dealing with the death of a loved one is already a traumatic experience, but when you add in the chaos of funeral arrangements, the entire ordeal can become a nightmare. In 2010, the National Funeral Directors Association conducted a survey that put the average cost of an adult funeral at $7,755.00, and that is without any additional cemetery costs included. Considering how a majority funeral arrangements are handled last minute by grieving loved ones, the preparations are often rushed, which can add up to significant costs. Despite the urgent nature of arranging a funeral, you can keep your costs low by considering 3 simple suggestions.
Take Time To Plan
Death is often sudden, and the events that follow tend to create a sense of urgency, but taking the time to properly plan all arrangements, you can end up saving you and your family thousands of dollars.
Start by thinking about what your family can afford, as well as what services and merchandise you feel are appropriate.
- Do you need a casket, or are you planning on going with a cremation urn?
- Do you have a preferred cemetery in mind?
- Are you looking for a plot, burial vault, memorial, or grave marker?
- What is your budget, and do you have plans for future plots for additional family members?
- Do you need catering for the event?
- Are flowers required, and how will the arrangements be made?
Second, call up a few of the local funeral homes in your area. Get a sense of what packages and services they offer. Some funeral homes offer tiered plans based on your needs, with the ability to mix-and-max certain aspects. Remember, just because a death is involved, doesn’t mean that you cannot shop around.
Burial vs. Cremation
According to Funeral Consumer Guardian Society’s website, burial costs are on average 60% higher than that of cremation. While both options have similar services and arrangements, the prices can vary wildly. Most cremation costs can range between $1,000 and $6,000, while burial costs are around $5,500 to $9,500.
If the deceased didn’t have a preference, you can significantly reduce your funeral expenses by considering a cremation service. Urn prices can vary, but even the highest quality urn is still cheaper than most mid-level caskets. Burial plots, due to their need to be maintained forever, are extremely expensive as well. However, most cemeteries offer cremation memorial spots which are significantly cheaper. You can also always choose to hold on to the cremated remains yourself as well.
If price is a significant factor, then you can go with a direct cremation service for around $1,000. Direct cremation often involves a small, intimate service for only the immediate family, and an immediate disposal of the ashes (no urn).
Avoid Additional Services
When a loved one passes, it is only natural to make a grand gesture in their memory. However, choosing the highest-quality casket, largest bouquet of flowers, and grandest mausoleum isn’t always the right approach. You can still pay your respects without including every-last funeral arrangement. Also keep in mind that funeral directors are also running a business. If you walk-in without any clear stipulations on what services you’re looking for, they’re likely going to try and up-sell you on a full package of items you may not need.
Below are a few suggestions to help you reduce your costs:
Caskets: Consider either a bio-friendly, rental, or lower-end casket for your burial service to cut-down on cost. Also consider going with an unsealed casket for additional savings. It is important to note that caskets do not have to be purchased from the funeral home. You can purchase your own casket elsewhere, and the funeral home must accept it.
Services: Some funeral packages include services such as catering, flowers, viewings, and clergy. You can cut your costs by either taking care of the services on your own, or opting-out of them entirely. Funeral homes often charge extra for private viewings before the funeral. You can save some money by going with only a single viewing service.
Care-taking: Embalming is often considered a normal practice, but for bodies buried within 48-hours of death, it is not required. Refrigeration works just as well, is much cheaper, and there is no cause for public health concerns.
Products: Burial spots, tombs, and markers are considerably expensive. Seeing as tombs and mausoleums are the most expensive, consider going with a simple burial spot instead. Where the burial spot resides will also contribute to price, so choosing something in a less desirable location can save you money. Modest headstones, plaques, and markers are a good way to drive-down cost as well.
It’s never easy losing a loved one, and the last thing anyone wants to think about is planning their funeral arrangements. From funeral homes to cemetery services, the entire process can be expensive, but by following these tips, hopefully you can determine what arrangements are right for you, and save a little bit of money doing it.