No one wants to think about money when a loved one has passed, but it's a necessary task for those left to plan the funeral. Understanding what adds to the costs can help you make an educated decision and stay within a realistic budget for these final preparations.
Cremation
Cremation tends to cost much less than a traditional burial. It also provides you with many more ways to economize. Common costs include:
Cost of the cremation itself. This is usually a flat charge.
Cost of direct cremation box. This is typically made of wood or cardboard. There is no reason to invest in a more expensive casket.
Cost of the urn. This can be just about anything, from the traditional funeral home display urn to a box you bring in yourself.
There can also be other costs associated with these final arrangements, depending on you and your loved one's preferences. Common additional services include:
Rental of a display casket for the funeral services before the cremation.
Flowers, organists, or other decorations for the funeral.
A cremation plot in a cemetery.
A funeral director or funeral home, which can help you put together the services and funeral.
Burial
Burial comes with it's own set of costs, and it is often higher than a standard cremation. The following are what you can expect.
The cost of the casket. You do not need a fancy casket or an expensive one. There are cardboard options. Just make sure the one you choose is allowed by the cemetery.
The cost of embalming. Although not required, embalming often becomes necessary if you wish to have a viewing of the body at the funeral.
The cost of the burial plot and burial. These costs are usually rolled into one.
The cost of basic handling and preparation. These are the general service fees involved.
The following services are usually optional, although some may be required depending on the rules of the cemetery.
Grave liners, which are metal boxes placed into the burial location to hold the casket. While not required by law, some cemeteries do require their use.
A grave marker is also optional, although required in some cemeteries. Further, the cemetery may have specific rules on the size, design, and materials for the marker.
A hearse rental if the viewing and services are at a different location than the actual burial.
The service cost itself, including flowers, music, location, and a funeral director.
Working with a funeral home can help streamline all of these costs, since they will handle the service and help you navigate the rest of the decisions necessary for the funeral. For more information, contact a business such as Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd.
Share6 September 2016
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