Asking how much does a funeral cost is not a pleasant one to think about. However, an elderly person should make funeral preparations ahead of time so that this difficult job does not fall to family and friends. One may want to consult family and friends and let them in on what type of funeral he or she wants; however, the elderly person should make important decisions on what type of burial to have, what the service should and should not include and so forth. The three options to choose from are a funeral with a burial, a funeral with cremation or a simple cremation that does not involve a showing or service.
Just How Much Does a Funeral Cost?
In short, the answer to this question depends on what type of funeral one wants to have. According to www.funeralplan.com, a funeral with burial costs an average of $7,000, a funeral with cremation costs an average of $5,000 while a simple cremation without a funeral service costs only about $1,000. However, it is important to realize that the cost of a funeral has been consistently rising since the 1960s.
Interestingly enough, the average cost of a funeral with burial in 2000 was only about $5,200. A person who is planning his or her funeral should take rising costs into consideration and allot extra money for unforeseen price rises due to inflation.
Obtaining a Casket – What are the Options
While the answer to the question “How much does a funeral cost?” not pleasant, it is still possible to cut costs and have a funeral with burial that does not cost $7,000 or more. One of the best ways to bring costs down is to buy a cheap casket. These can be found for sale online or even at a local Costco. Funeral homes are required by law to allow for the use of a casket bought by a third party. A person who wishes to be cremated can have a casket rented for the showing and visitation part of the service. Buying a casket often costs well over $1,000, renting a casket instead of purchasing one can save a considerable amount of money.
Just How Much Does a Funeral Cost? – Summary
The question of “How much does a funeral cost?” is an important one to ask. The answer is that it depends on what type of funeral one wants to have. One should consider not only costs but also the wishes of family and friends when planning a funeral.
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