Losing a loved one is difficult. Even though you’re grieving, you must plan a funeral. And that’s usually when most people are confronted with a funeral’s cost. But the expenses don’t stop with the funeral. There are other services outside the funeral that increase the cost.
FTC ‘Funeral Rule’ Rights
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides legal rights when paying for a funeral.You only have to buy the funeral arrangements you want. So that means you don’t have to accept a package. It can be a la carte.
A funeral home must give you price information over the phone. You are not required to provide them with your name and address. Many funeral homes will post their prices online or mail their price list. You must also receive a written statement before you buy.
Traditional Funeral Average Cost
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), in 2021, the national median cost of a traditional funeral was approximately $7,848, but this is only for the burial and service.
In 2023, the average cost of a traditional funeral with a metal casket, burial plot, and headstone is $12,929. That doesn’t include the vault, clergy honorarium, death certificates, obituary, floral arrangement, etc.
You can bypass a service and go for a direct burial, which brings the cost down. Check with your funeral director for this option.
Caskets for Burial Prices
The casket is the most expensive part of a traditional burial. It makes up 22 percent of the funeral cost. They are available in many styles and are usually purchased for aesthetic appeal. The loved one is often caught up in grief and chooses a casket based on emotions rather than price point. This can result in a hefty bill.A standard steel or stainless-steel casket is sold in gauge or thickness sizes. The lower the gauge, the thicker the steel. A steel coffin costs between $1,000–2,000, but it depends on the gauge and finishes or colors.
Bronz metal runs between $4,125 and $8,100, with Promethean bronze costing $22,000. A copper coffin costs between $3,900 and $4,800.
A wood casket’s price depends on what wood is used, but it generally costs between $1,000 and $3,500. Pine is the least expensive.
There are also fiberglass and green caskets.
Cremation caskets are available to hold the decedent for the visitation. They are made of cardboard or pressed wood and cost approximately $200. More ornate ones run between $625 and $2,425.
Per the FTC Funeral Rule, you are not required to purchase a casket from the funeral home. You can purchase one from a dealer and have it delivered.
Funeral Home Basic Service Fee
The basic fee is mandatory. Most funeral homes charge this it makes up 20 percent of the funeral costs. It covers the staff, facilities and equipment. It doesn’t cover caskets, transfer, vaults etc.- obtaining copies of death certificates (but not distributing them)
- securing any needed permits
- sheltering the remains
- coordinating arrangements
- communicating with the morgue or medical examiner’s office
- preparing death notice
- making crematory arrangements
Embalming Loved One
If the decedent is buried or cremated soon after death, you shouldn’t need embalming. The definition of “soon” depends on your locality.But if you plan a viewing, you'll need to embalm. Generally, expect to pay around $775 or 7 percent of the funeral’s cost.
Miscellaneous Funeral Expenses
There is a charge for the facilities used for the ceremony and the viewing. The ceremony usage fee is $515, 5 percent of the funeral cost. And the viewing fee is $450 or 4 percent.- transportation of remains: $350 or 3 percent
- hearse: $350 or 3 percent
- service car: $150 or 1 percent
- memorial printed package: $183 or 2 percent
- other body preparation: $275 or 2 percent
Burial Vault in Cemetery
A burial vault or grave liner is used in traditional funerals. The vault is placed in the ground, and the coffin is placed in it. It covers the casket’s top and sides. The vault keeps the ground from collapsing as the casket decomposes.A vault is more substantial and, therefore, more costly than a liner. It’s made of concrete and surrounds the coffin. They are not required by law. If you don’t have a vault, the cemetery will use another burial container to prevent the grave from sinking.
It is against the law for a funeral director to promise that a vault will keep debris or water away from the coffin. It will not prevent the body from decaying.
Need to Purchase Plot in Cemetery
You'll need a place in the cemetery for the burial. Many families have a grouping of plots. If your family doesn’t have one, you must purchase a plot.- cemetery
- size
- ground type
- location
Headstone to Memorialize Loved One
A headstone or tombstone is used to mark the grave and memorialize the decedent. There are different stones to consider. What you choose affects the price. For example, a flat headstone will run you about $1,000. In comparison, an upright headstone is approximately $2,000.A family or double headstone could cost you up to $10,000, depending on how much detailing you have. Different types of stone or colors have different prices and could add to the overall cost.
Then, you must engrave the headstone. That will cost around $20 per character for the first 20–30 characters. Additional characters are about $10 each.
Optional Traditional Funeral Expenses
There are optional expenses that usually go toward the decedent’s service. Many people pay a clergy honorarium, which could cost around $500. A floral arrangement for the casket is about $300. Obituaries run are approximately $500.You‘ll need death certificates for the various parties. For example, the company will need a death certificate if there is life insurance. You’ll also need death certificates for Social Security and financial services your loved one was doing business with.
One death certificate is $100, and you'll need several.
Cremation Average Price
According to the NFDA, in 2022, there were 1.91 million cremations in the United States by 2030, that number is projected to be 2.26 million. The NFDA quoted the median price for a cremation with service to be around $6,970. This number includes a viewing.Funeral Home Cremation
Cremating, complete with a service in a funeral home, has many of the traditional funeral costs.- basic service fee
- embalming (if you have a viewing)
- facilities use
- transportation of remains
- etc.
Using Direct Cremation
Direct cremation doesn’t have a ceremony. The body goes from the place of death directly to the crematorium. Once the cremation is complete, the ashes are placed in a temporary urn or one provided by the family. They are then returned to the family. The family can have their own service at a later date if desired.Various Urn Types Available
An urn is a container that holds the deceased person’s remains or ashes. An urn can be chosen based on the decedent’s beliefs, personality, or past life. It can symbolize the deceased and their importance.Some family members will keep the urns with them, while others will bury the urns in a cemetery.
Regardless of where the destination is, there are various urns to accommodate.
Cremation boxes are usually made of wood. They can hold ashes and often hold mementos. Prices typically run between $50 and $100.
A double urn can hold two sets of ashes. This is often used for spouses. It also can be used for a large person. The price is between $80 and $500.
An Expensive, but Loving Goodbye
When you’re grieving, you may not be aware of the prices that the funeral director is charging you. You just want a lovely ceremony.But if you’re armed with knowledge, you can ensure you don’t break the bank when planning a funeral.
If you’re preplanning, you'll have time to shop around. Even if it’s sudden, you can save by noting the individual prices and making phone calls. Funeral homes must tell you over the phone what they charge.
