What You Should Know about Funeral and Burial Costs
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What’s the absolute last thing most people want to think about? A funeral. And yet if you don’t plan ahead for your funeral, your loved ones could be paying for it out of their own pocket. This wouldn’t be too bad except for the fact that funerals are expensive.
The average funeral costs between $8500 and $10,000. That doesn’t necessarily include the extras like an actual burial which can cost around $2000. Additional items such as obituary notices, flowers, burial liners, and acknowledgement cards can add to the expense.
It pays to know your options. Here are a few tips offered by experts in the industry, including the Better Business Bureau, to plan and pay for your own funeral or that of a loved one.
* Cremations are less expensive than burials and cost around $1300.
* Shop around when planning a funeral. Prices can vary quite dramatically from location to location.
* Federal law requires funeral providers to give consumers a general price list of all goods and services without the consumer having to ask for it.
* There is a “non-declinable” fee for a funeral, and the price varies depending on the funeral home. It includes costs for the initial conference, consultations, paperwork and overhead.
* The AARP recommends obtaining price lists by phone or in person from at least three funeral homes before making a selection.
* Remember, funeral homes are a business. Treat them as such and expect to be treated as a customer. Check them out with your local BBB, make sure they’re licensed and ask for recommendations from others.
* Know that embalming is rarely required when the person will be buried within 24 to 48 hours.
* Refrigeration is almost always a legal alternative to embalming and it’s less expensive.
* Funeral directors routinely refuse to have a public viewing without embalming, but it is not a legal requirement except in Minnesota.
* If the funeral home insists, you can ask for a private viewing without embalming.
* Many people see prepaid funeral arrangements as part of estate planning. Ensure your family knows about plans made and where to find the needed documents.
* Funeral insurance can help you manage the finances of your funeral after you’re gone. Additionally, because funeral rates continue to rise, it can save money in the long run. A $10,000 funeral today may cost $15,000 when you pass.
* When purchasing a funeral insurance policy, make sure the items you would need (for example, services, casket, burial and so on) are included in the policy.
* Determine if there is a penalty for canceling your funeral insurance policy if you change your mind. Ask about the refund policy on both merchandise and services.
* Make sure when you’re planning a funeral, to take someone along with you. This will help you resist high pressure sales pitches. And it will help prevent you from making an emotional decision.
* Make sure that all the services you choose, plus any future costs or restrictions, are in writing, and make sure you read it very carefully before you sign.
Whether you’re planning ahead for your own funeral or managing one for a loved one that has passed, it’s important to know your options. Keep in mind that funerals are businesses and they’re in business to make money. Knowing this, shopping around and planning ahead can save you thousands of dollars.
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