Just how much does that funeral cost?

 Here are the average costs of funeral services. If you want more than the typical done in any area, you will pay more. There are just a lot of things to consider with a traditional funeral, including the burial plot. With cremation, you can opt for a container that will be used in the cremation chamber and then have a simple memorial service, perhaps even reading a poem that reminds you of them. You can select anyone to provide those services or do it your self. All you have to pay for in the cremation and a few state required fees.

1. Casket: $2,400
2. Professional service charges: $1,200
3. Vault: $950
4. Embalming: $400
5. Funeral at funeral home: $350
6. Visitation/viewing: $275
7. Hearse (local): $185
8. Other preparations (cosmetology, hair, etc.): $150
9. Transfer of remains to funeral home: $150
10. Service car/van: $85
11. Acknowledgment cards: $20
Total: $6,165

This list doesn’t include cemetery and burial costs. The average cost of the burial plot is about $3000. Cremation will cost you around $700 plus whatever you wish to spend on the memorial service. For me, a good bottle of scotch so people can toast my memory will be sufficient. Cremation versus traditional burial isn't all about the cost. I believe a memorial service celebrates the life instead of the death of your loved one.

Read more...

Do I need a Cremation Casket?

In the not-too-distant future, you could be cremated wrapped in banana leaves as people look for more ways to lower the burial costs and make it greener. Because of the economic problems and no signs of quick relief, casket manufacturers are looking for new ways to produce a casket that is either burned during cremation or used for just a short amount of time before cremation of the body.

Families that didn't look at cremation in the past are now considering it because of its much lower cost. The option that costs the least amount for a family wanting to cremate their loved one is to use a cardboard box which is cremated along with the body. However, this means that you must have a memorial service or wait until you receive the cremated remains back to hold your celebration of their life. A lot of families are opting to just have a memorial service using items from their loved one's life to represent them.

Another option for your family is to rent a casket with a removable liner. This is more expensive that the first option but still cheaper than buying a casket. The liner is removed along with the body as they both head to the crematorium. The casket can then be rented to the next family for a funeral service. Some families don't want their loved one laying in a casket theat was previously used by another person.

Why can't you just use a wood casket? Well, you can but a solid wood casket still takes a long time to burn at added costs for the cremation. Hard woods look the best but soft woods burn the best. So, which do you select? Well, casket manufacturers are helping you out here. They are making a casket of cheaper compressed wood with nice looking hard wood veneer so the casket looks great and burns quickly.

Today, you have many more options to chose from when deciding to be cremated instead of having a traditional burial. The important part is to honor your loved one, celebrate their life, and let them go out in style. Read a poem and tell a story that reminds you of the joy you had sharing life with them. After all, it is their memory that is precious not the way we bury them.

Read more...

Green Burial: Thinking ahead

If you don’t decide in advance what kind of burial you want and make arrangements for their costs before you die, it will leave your loved ones stranded and forced to make last minute expensive decisions during their grief. This is very much like trying to buy an airline ticket the day you fly. You will be forced to pay full price with no room for negotiation. Think of all the things that have to be purchased for a traditional funeral.

1. Embalming
2. Viewing
3. Flowers
4. Burial Plot
5. Casket
6. Service
7. Grave opening and closing
8. Basic service fees for the funeral home
9. Grave marker
10. Funeral procession
11. Any extras.

It does add up fast, starts around $6000 and goes up from there to well over $10000 average. So you can see why it is important to write down your wishes long before you die. Have the conversation with your loved ones about what you would like to do. Here is what the FTC says about funeral costs.

The PyreFyre plan is much more streamlined and costs less.

1. Cremation
2. Relatives gather for a wake
3. Spirit whisperer spread ashes
4. Create Memorial

Cremation costs start at $600, which is much less than the cost of buying a casket. The wake can be a simple one with everyone bringing potluck if you desire. You can also spend $15-$25 a person to have it catered. The room will be extra but can be had for free at your church or if held at a public place. If a relative spreads your ashes then it can be done at a nominal cost just for transportation to your final resting place. Finally, the memorial can be created on line for no cost. A big advantage to cremation is the elimination of any hurry to complete the rest of the 3 steps. They can be planned and accomplished when they cost less and it allows for getting everyone there. Do it with creativity and inexpensively so your loved ones can concentrate on you not how will they ever pay for it all. Everyone can go out in style.

Read more...