I’m Sorry About Your Loss—Now Here’s the Bill

Funerals can be very expensive. The expense of a coffin, a plot, a headstone and the services can be very overwhelming for a family that was not financially planning for a death. When a loved one passes away the ceremonial process that our society participates in gives people a feeling of closure. 

Today, the average North American traditional funeral costs between $7,000 and $10,000.  This price range includes the services at the funeral home, burial in a cemetery, and the installation of a headstone.  While cremation is gaining in popularity, the traditional funeral is still the most popular manner for disposing of the deceased.

The honoring of the deceased has become part of our society and many families will go in debt to provide that. The funeral expenses are not the only unexpected costs that arise from a death. Many times there are taxes, probate costs or even the need for housekeepers and child care.

No one ever wants to lose a beloved friend or a family member. It is a very sad moment in time and is never easy to deal with. Some traditions hold on to the idea that the end of life is to be celebrated, not mourned. It is a romantic ideal that is much easier said than done.

On the other hand, when the most unfortunate event does occur, friends and family members find themselves discussing the life and memories of those they have lost. They do not focus on the fact that they are gone, but all of the happy memories that were created because of that person.

Average Funeral Costs: How the Funeral Industry Works

Most people planning a funeral use the services of a funeral home.  The funeral director is either the owner of a funeral home or, more commonly, an employee of a large corporate-owned chain of funeral homes.  In most cases the funeral director’s compensation is tied to the profits he generates for the funeral home or the sales commissions he earns by selling related goods and services.

While the funeral director will serve as the family’s main service provider when arranging a funeral service, other businesses are involved as well.  In addition to the funeral home, most families will need to use the services of a cemetery and a headstone dealer.  Often times, the funeral director will coordinate the purchase of goods and services between the family and the cemetery and headstone dealer.  While this is certainly convenient for the family, you need to remember that you are really buying things from three separate business entities: the funeral home, the cemetery, and the headstone dealer.

The funeral director’s main responsibility is generating profits for the funeral home.  Unfortunately, this often means the funeral director’s main objective is to increase the amount of money you spend at the funeral home, leaving cemetery and headstone costs as a separate expense for the family.  This is why the typical funeral service is publicized as costing $6,000 – because the family often pays about $6,000 to the funeral director.  However, the family still has to pay the cemetery for the purchase of a grave spot and the dealer for the price of a headstone.  It’s these additional goods and services that add another $2,000 to $4,000 to the price of a funeral.  Unfortunately, many families do not find this out until after they have signed a contract for the funeral services with the funeral director.

So perhaps there is something to the idea of celebrating the life as opposed to mourning the death. This practice can be difficult when there are mounting expenses involved. That is why many individuals choose to carry funeral trust insurance to ensure that their loved ones will have less to concern themselves with when they pass.

The last thing people want to think about when a loved one passes is money. Sure, there are those greedy, heartless family members that can think of nothing more than how much inheritance they will receive, but they are rare. For most people, they want to keep all of their attention and focus on remembering their loved one.

They prefer to remind themselves of all the cherished memories they were fortunate enough to have with the dear departed. They remember all of the good times and the bad. Everyone involved shares stories of how that loved one touched their lives and how great of an affect their presence had on them. It is a very sad time, but also one for remembrance and reflection.

Most people do not sit around thinking about what will happen when they die. It is a subject that is sort of taboo. However, it is one that every person should consider from time to time. As difficult as it is to imagine there is much more to it than people would like to think.

When a person contemplates death, they may only ponder what happens when they die. Where do they go and what will happen to them. Whether they know it or not, these questions ignore the tremendous affect death has on everyone they love. Not only does it carry a heavy emotional toll on family and friends, but a large financial burden as well. Holding onto a quality funeral insurance plan can help at least alleviate the financial difficulties associated.

When a loved one passes, the last thing you want to worry about is how to pay for the after death expenses. It is an important aspect to consider when thinking about your own life. How will your passing affect those you love financially? As mentioned earlier, it is not an easy subject to ponder, but it is one that can help dampen the impact of your death on your family.

Purchasing a casket, arranging a burial plot, and planning a ceremony tend to be extremely costly, especially if the family is not prepared. All together, it can cost upwards of about fifteen thousand dollars. However, if one plans ahead for their own passing with funeral insurance, they can ease that financial burden placed on the family. This way, all of the final expenses are covered in advance.

The death of a loved one is never a pleasant experience. Family and friends gather to remember the one they lost and reflect on how many lives were touched throughout their lifetime. Planning ahead with funeral insurance affords the family the chance to mourn and remember your life instead of worrying about how to cover the cost of your passing.

I’m Sorry About Your Loss—Now Here’s the Bill
Buying a package funeral deal seems to be the easiest option for grief-stricken family members—and that’s the way it’s intended. Instead of scaling down to the necessities, many people buy an all-inclusive “traditional” funeral—an embalming, an ornate casket, open casket wake, fancy flowers, ceremony, procession, and graveside service.

Anyone who has experienced paying for an unexpected funeral can appreciate the cost of this service. Knowing what to expect in terms of cost can aid in your pre-planning. Here are the facts:

The average cost of a funeral is $6,000, but many traditional funerals can cost more than $10,000. Many people feel there is a connection between how much is spent and how much you loved your family member or friend, but that should not be the case. Letting your family members know your wishes ahead of time will help them realize they do not have to spend money to show their love.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect to pay:

Transportation

• Hearse – $135–$250
• Limousine – $125–$250

Facilities and Services

Cremation

• Funeral Home – $1,500-$3,500
• Crematory – about $700, including container

Visitation

• On-site – $100–$520
• Off-site – $275–$550

Funeral

• On-site – $100–$850
• Off-site – $200–$660
• Graveside Ceremonies – $50–$415

Memorial Service*

• On-site – $100–$670
• Off-site – $100–$520
• Removal of Remains – $125–$300

Merchandise

Casket / Cremation Urn

• Less Expensive Casket – $90–$860
• More Expensive Casket – $2,995–$65,000
• Less Expensive Cremation Urn – $25–$235
• More Expensive Cremation Urn – $335–$3,650

Burial container

• Vault – $375–$525
• Liner – $285–$525

Professional and Administrative Services

• Embalming – $100–$525

Caterer

• Opening and Closing the Grave – $350-$1,500

Other

• Headstones or grave markers – $500 to several thousand
• Grave Plot – $350-$3,000
• Death certificates – cost depends on state
• Obituary – cost depends on newspaper and length

To read more click here:  http://annuitynews.net/2009/11/16/pre-need-funeral-trust