While more than 60% of Americans believe it is important to discuss funeral arrangements ahead of time, only about 20% do so, according to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). But not preplanning creates a burden for loved ones after you pass away. Your family will be required to make many logistical and financial decisions at a time when their judgment will be colored by emotion. It’s far better—and less expensive—if you make decisions when you can do so thoughtfully.
Burial vs. cremation. One of the most important decisions is whether you want to be buried or cremated.
Cremation is less expensive. Factoring in costs of the funeral, cremation can be about $2,500 less than a standard burial. There are two options for cremation—via fire at a crematorium or using a water-based process known as aquamation. The remains from both processes are similar. For many years, aquamation has been used to dispose of farm animal remains. It is recently being used for human remains because the flame-free process has little environmental impact. Not all facilities offer both options. Traditional cremation, not including the funeral, can cost as little as $800 but can be as expensive as $2,000 or more. Aquamation is more expensive, ranging from about $2,000 to $3,000. More information: AquamationInfo.com.
Burial options include a traditional ground burial with a casket or an ecofriendly green burial, with no embalming and just a shroud. They can be less expensive since there is no need for a casket, outer burial container or embalming. Not all cemeteries allow for a burial without a casket/vault, although some traditional cemeteries are beginning to open “green burial sections.” Other services and transportation charges would be about the same as for traditional burials.
Average cost. While it varies from state to state and funeral home to funeral home, the national average for a traditional burial and funeral, according to the NFDA, is about $10,000…$8,300 without a vault. What’s included in the costs…
Funeral home charge: This includes the funeral director and staff’s services, embalming, sanitary care, dressing, use of facilities for services, church and/or graveside, transportation, hearse, filing death certificates, securing permits, printed materials, casket and outer burial container. Church fees, flowers, obituary notice, receptions, etc., often are included on a funeral home contract.
Grave-opening charge: This is paid to the cemetery, although some funeral homes will include this charge on their contract under “cash advances.”
Additional charges, such as flowers, clergy, luncheon and obituary will vary.
Beware: Funeral homes and companies that advertise bargain-basement prices often add unexpected fees. Do your homework to make sure a funeral home or cremation society is reputable.
Where can you go to preplan? Contact a funeral director, crematorium or cremation society…or look to a funeral preplanner who can guide you through available options. To find a preplanner: Google “funeral preplanning services.” Important: Money collected by a funeral home or cremation society in advance of your passing is placed in a state-approved escrow account. That money is transferable if you move to another state or if a facility closes before you pass away.
Bottom Line Personal interviewed Sahara Farrugio, licensed funeral director and owner of Smart Funeral Planning in Connecticut, a service that guides people in planning a funeral. She is also a licensed life insurance agent and a certified funeral celebrant.
SmartFuneralPlanning.com
