Planning For The End

Let’s face it, many people don’t plan their own funerals. It’s not a fun subject and many people prefer not to talk about it, yet it’s inevitable. Loved ones and family members are then left to plan for a funeral, sift through their loved one’s things and deal with the loss of someone they cared so much about. Preparing for a funeral can be exhausting, but making sure you have the financial resources to cover the cost of funeral, burial or cremation is very important for personal estate planning.

On average, the typical traditional funeral will cost between $8,000-$10,000. Like other goods and services, the cost of a funeral and related expenses is steadily growing each year. For example, from 2004 to 2014 there was a 28.6% increase in the median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial according to a National Funeral Directors Association study.  This is the case in part because so few people shop around for the best deal, so funeral homes have little incentive to offer it.

Here’s some of the costs you can expect to incur:

Funeral home’s “Professional Service Fee”
$1,000 – $3,000
Some funeral homes service fees are higher than others but keep in mind the total cost will be this fee in addition to the costs listed below.

Casket
$2,300 – $5,000+
This as the average cost for the most common choice of an 18-gauge steel casket.

Embalming and body preparation
$600
This procedure is usually mandatory for open-casket viewing, when it may be accompanied by charges for hairdressing and cosmetics. Otherwise, embalming isn’t generally required unless the body is going to be transported across state lines.

 Funeral ceremony and viewing
$1,000
If the ceremony is at the funeral home, you’ll be charged for use of the chapel and any necessary staff. Having the ceremony at a church can sometimes cost less.

Burial cost
$2,000
On average, it cost $1,000 for the grave space and $1,000 for the labor.

Headstone or grave marker
$1,000 – $2,000+ 

Cremation
$2,000 – $4,000
Cremation can be a less expensive than traditional funeral services since you don’t need a casket or grave, yet along with the ceremony, flowers, obituary, and fees it can still add up to $6,000 – $8,000.

Fortunately, proper funeral planning can yield considerable savings and reduce the financial strain on your family. Final Expense Life insurance is a low-cost, affordable option that helps take care of your final expenses (i.e. funeral, cremation, casket, cemetery etc.), as well as outstanding medical bills or debts. Any excess funds are then paid to the policy’s beneficiary.

For more information, please call GoldenCare at 1-800-331-4745 or request a free quote by completing the form below.