Many times you’ll people say that the average funeral costs around $6,000. However, that estimate is based on a price survey taken several years ago. Funeral prices, like everything else, have increased with inflation.
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.
Although funeral prices vary considerably between funeral homes and geographic areas of the country, here is a reasonable “ballpark” estimate of the main costs that are involved:
fee for the funeral director’s services: $1,500
cost for a casket: $2,300
embalming: $500
cost for using the funeral home for the actual funeral service: $500
cost of a gravesite: $1,000
cost to dig the grave: $600
cost of a grave liner or outer burial container: $1,000
cost of a headstone: $1,500
In this example, total costs would approximate $9,000….and that’s just for the “main” items. There could be additional charges for things like placing the obituary in the newspaper, buying flowers, and limousine rental. There could also be additional charges for prayer cards, use of the hearse, and a donation to the organist, soloist, or officiating clergy.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to reduce the cost of funeral services to a more reasonable level. This is one area where a little bit of planning can make a big difference. With a little forethought and legwork you can save thousands of dollars in unnecessary funeral costs.
Michael Testa is a CPA and financial planner specializing in helping families save money on funeral goods and services.
You can get more great tips at his website: http://www.funeral-tips.com
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