What To Expect With Funeral Planning

When a loved one dies, there are so many details to take care of and when you pair that with the grief of losing that loved one, the thought of planning a funeral may seem overwhelming. The decisions you make will seem rather daunting but if you have an idea of what to expect, the process won't seem so overwhelming.

Death can be expensive! There is quite a bit of sticker shock in terms of pricing funerals and burial services. The average cost of a funeral with no bells and whistles is about $7,000. Adding the burial costs for your loved one, you can tack on $2,000-$3,000. If you want to bury the loved one in a special cemetery plot, you can add another $2,000-$3,000. There is also the cost of the coffin, cremation urn, sending out obituary notices, thank-you cards, vault space and even use of the funeral limo and hearse. All in all, dying is quite the expense.

Adhering to the Funeral Home Code

There is a certain code of ethics that funeral homes must adhere to so you don't incur hidden fees and taxes after choosing funeral arrangements. Everything is outlined on a specific price list and funeral homes are bound by these ethics to disclose this information to you when you are calling around pricing caskets, services and such. For this reason, you should call around and get three to four quotes from local area funeral homes so that you get the best price for what you want to do for your deceased loved one.

The price list that most funeral homes provide is rather comprehensive so you should ask for a printed list to peruse. Administrative fees for consultations and paperwork are normal. You may also see fees for transporting the body from the funeral home to the final resting place. Casketing is a common fee and includes embalming the body, dressing it and even adding cosmetic touches as needed. You may want to use the funeral home for the wake or even a memorial ceremony so costs are listed for these as well. Flowers, obituary notices, caskets, grave liners, music and even cremation will likely be on the price list as well.

Checking Outside Sources for Burial Help

If the deceased was a veteran of the military, you may be able to get small compensation from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs for burial assistance. Your loved one would also be qualified to receive a flag as well as burial within a national cemetery. If you live near one of these cemeteries, you may not have to pay for any burial costs, just the funeral service.

Be sure to wade through the paperwork your deceased left behind. Sometimes, there are long forgotten insurance policies that were purchased for the sole purpose of paying for a funeral. If you find any policies or paperwork which provide for the cost of a funeral, you will need a copy of the deceased's death certificate along with proof that you are eligible to handle their affairs before any monies are released to you for funeral payment.

Decide what measures you want in place to take care of your loved one and be sure to shop around for the best prices. It may seem morbid but death is expensive and your loved one would not want you to spend too much money which could be better spent elsewhere.

Recommended Reading

1. Why You Should Arrange Your Own Funeral In Advance
2. What Papers To Collect Upon The Death Of A Loved One
3. Estate Planning Options When Planning For Your Eventual Death
4. Children Do Grieve And Feel Loss
5. The Financial Responsibilities Involved When A Loved One Dies