Death is not cheap. Rising costs have pushed many people to consider alternatives to the conventional funeral. It is absolutely possible to plan a lovely service for the deceased that provides closure for family and friends without breaking the bank.
Price of a Traditional Funeral
A traditional funeral is still the most popular choice for people who live in the United States. As of 2015, the average cost is approximately $7,000–$10,000. Add-ons like flowers and obituary fees can easily increase the price. Some of the biggest expenses are the casket, headstone, funeral director’s fee and grave site. Estimates for these items are:
- Casket: $2,300
- Headstone: $1,500
- Funeral director’s fee: $1,500
- Grave site: $1,000
Consider Cremation
More and more individuals are opting for cremation over a conventional casket burial, but cremation rates vary widely depending on the area of the country. It is not only substantially less expensive, but also more environmentally friendly. Here are some data points on cremation in the U.S.:
- In 1960, the cremation rate was 4 percent.
- In 2014, 34 percent of the deceased population was cremated.
- Over 60 percent of the population chooses cremation in the western United States.
- Nevada is the highest at 68 percent.
- Approximately 25 percent of deceased people in the Southern states are cremated.
- Mississippi is the lowest at 10 percent.
Plan in Advance
While most people probably don’t like to think about death, planning (and even paying for) one’s funeral in advance can be a big help to family and friends. It can be challenging for grieving relatives to make the best decisions, financial and otherwise. It is not uncommon for family members to spend more money than necessary because they feel guilty about trying to economize on funeral expenses. There is also frequently pressure to make arrangements as quickly as possible. Planning your own funeral can help ensure matters are handled the way you want, without duress.
Shop Around
Unless you live in a very small town, there are probably several funeral homes in the area. Contacting more than one may help save money and give you a better understanding of the pricing. It is also a good idea to let any funeral director with whom you speak know you are talking to other parties.
The casket is typically the biggest funeral-related expense; while convenient, buying it directly from the funeral home is usually not the most cost-effective approach. There are an ever-increasing number of vendors who sell caskets, including cemeteries, Wal-Mart, Costco and a variety of online merchants. Federal regulations stipulate that funeral homes are not allowed to add fees if clients purchase the caskets they want to use from someone else.
Don’t Have a Viewing
A viewing, also called a wake, is a time for people to see the deceased after the funeral home staff has prepared the body for burial. These gatherings are often awkward and add more cost. If you skip the viewing, you may also be able to avoid embalming fees.
Pick and Choose
Many funeral homes offer “bundled” pricing for multiple services, but don’t be fooled into thinking you are getting anything for free. Be sure to confirm each service that the price includes is necessary, and eliminate any that are not.
Sleep on It
Meeting with funeral home representatives and trying to make choices about what to do can be overwhelming. You may also feel pressured to quickly make decisions. If you are unsure, or the prices seem high, don’t hesitate to say you need some time to think things over. You may have a completely different perspective the next day.
A funeral is an important part of the circle of life. These six tips can help you save on costs while still providing an appropriate tribute to the deceased.