When a loved one passes away, money is the last thing we worry about. However, organizing a funeral requires careful planning and financial preparation.
The median national cost for a funeral with viewing and burial is $7,848, while a funeral and cremation are $6,971.
Here are some basic expenses for organizing a funeral—data taken from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA).
Funeral service fee: $2,300
Funeral home rental: $450
Funeral home staff for viewing: $450
Funeral home staff for the ceremony: $515
Vault: $1,572
Cremation casket: $1,310
Embalming: $775
Urn: $295
Cosmetic services: $275
Hearse: $350
Transportation of remains: $350
Transportation for the family: $150
Pamphlets and materials: $183
In addition, we must not forget that there are also a number of fees that will need to be paid. These include fees for a basic service, service and merchandise fees, and cash advances.
Basic Service Fee
The basic service fee is the standard fee for funeral-related services. It covers the cost of planning fees. This includes any permit and administration fees.
Service and Merchandise Fees
Service and merchandise fees usually include transportation, preparation, and body embalming. Also included are the funeral home's viewing or memorial fees and any equipment or services needed to maintain the grave.
Cash advances
Cash advances are needed for services such as organists, clergy, funeral flowers, and so on. However, additional charges must be communicated by the funeral home in writing.
Families often overpay hundreds of dollars for funeral arrangements because of emotionality. This happens for several reasons. First, the emotional state of losing a loved one does not allow us to think sensibly and pragmatically. In addition, the organization of the funeral usually happens quickly, so there is no time for informed decisions. Another reason for overpayments is that few people have experience organizing a funeral; not everyone knows what and how much it should cost. This, by the way, is often used by funeral homes and cemeteries to put profit over saving the family money.