Posts Tagged ‘pre-arrangements’

Why Does a Funeral Cost What it Costs?

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

Why Does a Funeral Cost What it Costs?The average cost of a funeral in the United States is an estimated $7,500, not including costs associated with the cemetery and the actual burial or disposal of the remains. While this number seems high to anyone seeing it for the first time, funeral costs have been on a steady incline for decades, raising at a higher rate than the economy, but a much lower rate than the average cost of a wedding (which sits at an overwhelming $28,000).

And just like weddings, the actual amount you will pay depends on what type of ceremony and burial arrangements you choose. Things like advance funeral planning and funeral insurance can also help defray costs, especially if you’ve had years in which to begin the planning process.

If you’re facing funeral planning, and you’d like to know where the money goes, you might want to consider all the steps involved:
(more…)

Funeral Planning: How I Want to Be Remembered

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Funeral Planning: How I Want to Be RememberedWe hear so often about funeral planning, and how it can ease the financial and emotional burdens of the loved ones we leave behind. The reasons to do a funeral pre-plan or pre-payment are many, and it’s an option that an increasingly large portion of the population are choosing for their own families. Whether you wish to lock in today’s funeral costs, you want ensure that you have funds earmarked for burial, or you simply want to secure a cemetery site to share with family members, making burial arrangements ahead of time makes good sense.

However, one of the most often overlooked advantages to funeral planning in advance is how much it allows you to control the way you will be remembered. The legacy you leave behind is one of the most powerful and lasting gifts you can give, and if it’s important to you to get it right, funeral planning with a focus on ceremonies and events could be the perfect solution.

(more…)

Funeral Insurance: Family Convenience

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Funeral Insurance: Family ConvenienceOne of the primary factors in choosing advance funeral planning is the convenience it offers family members. No matter how clear your wishes might be or how much time you put in to planning your burial arrangements, the details of the funeral – and the costs associated with them – almost always add a strain on family members during an already overwhelming time.

However, many people aren’t comfortable with funeral pre-plans, which are becoming one of the most popular ways to reduce family strain and cost. In a funeral pre-plan, a decision is made to work with a particular funeral home or cemetery, and you can pay all the costs up front, and at today’s rates. You can be as involved as selecting your own casket, or as detached as simply choosing the right burial plan and setting aside the funds.
(more…)

Things to Ask Your Funeral Director

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

Things to Ask Your Funeral DirectorWhether you’re funeral planning for yourself or facing the recent loss of a loved one, you will most likely work with a funeral director to ensure that all the burial and/or cremation arrangements are set. Funeral directors are the professionals who either run a funeral home or are hired by the funeral home to assist with end-of-life arrangements. Larger funeral homes may have more than one director, so that the attention and time you need is available.

Some of the decisions you make together will be the most important and difficult you will ever encounter, so being comfortable with the professional in charge is a good idea. Questions to consider include:

(more…)

How to Plan a Green Funeral

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

How to Plan a Green FuneralGreen funerals, which are defined as any funeral plan that put an emphasis on reducing the burden on both the earth and the wallet, are becoming an increasingly popular choice in the modern world. It doesn’t matter whether you are funeral planning in advance or if you are facing the sudden loss of a loved one – “going green” is a great way to honor the deceased while also making responsible burial decisions.

One of the best things about planning a green funeral is that there are many ways to overlap traditional burial arrangements and cremation plans with a more eco-friendly approach to both life and death.
(more…)

Famous and Beautiful Cemeteries

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Famous and Beautiful Cemeteries When making burial arrangements or funeral planning, many people pay attention to the ambiance of the final resting ground. After all, this is the place loved ones will visit for decades as a way to remember a life lived and lost.

Modern cemeteries tend to have a fairly clinical feel to them, with well-laid out plots and modest headstones – which is great for maximizing the available space and providing a serene place for visiting the graves of those we love. However, much of the charm of older burial grounds is lost in these types of cemeteries. In fact, some of the best places to be buried include those where a little bit of wilderness and a whole lot of history combine to create a verdant, timeless setting.
(more…)

Ways to Pre-Pay for a Funeral

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Ways to Pre-Pay for a Funeral The high costs of a modern funeral, which can range anywhere from a few thousand to over ten thousand dollars, often turn the burial process into an even more complicated and heartrending affair than it already is.

If you’re interested in learning more about the funeral planning process as way to protect your loved ones for years to come, there are some great resources out there. As more and more people turn to pre-need funeral planning, more options reach the market and allow for greater choices and lower costs than ever before.

(more…)

Who Should Be in Charge of Funeral Planning: the Funeral Home or a Family Member?

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Who Should Be in Charge of Funeral Planning: the Funeral Home or a Family Member? In almost all cases in which you make financial arrangements during the funeral planning stages, it will be necessary to choose a beneficiary or executor. This will be the individual who spends whatever money you have set aside for the funeral and who is called upon to make decisions regarding products, services, and payment arrangements.

(more…)

Funeral Costs: a Detailed Price Breakdown

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

Funeral Costs: a Detailed Price Breakdown The average funeral costs between $8,000 and $12,000, including everything from casket and embalming to a burial plot and a memorial service. However, not all of this money goes to one place. Each component comes with its own price tag, and many products and services can be purchased through wholesalers or discount companies, which can considerably lower the overall cost of the funeral.

If you are funeral planning or preparing to say good bye to a loved one, this list of funeral services and their costs should give you a better idea of what to expect to pay. Please note that these are average estimates, and will vary depending on where you live and what specifics you choose.

(more…)

Cost Cutting Funeral Tips

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Cost Cutting Funeral TipsThere’s no way around it – funeral planning can be expensive. No one wants to cut corners on the burial arrangements for their loved ones, and it can be hard to think through the cost of a funeral and stay frugal during the grief process. It is important to know, however, that  with respect and proper funeral etiquette.

(more…)