Although rates of advance funeral planning are on the rise, the majority of people aren’t financially prepared to pay for a funeral. With a price tag of anywhere from a few thousand to up to $10,000, it’s not easy to come up with the money necessary to make the final arrangements—especially if you’re forced to wait weeks or even months for a life insurance policy to pay out.
Archive for the ‘Funeral Homes’ Category
Buying a Casket at a Major Retailer
Wednesday, June 13th, 2012
Seemingly, one of the easiest ways to save money on funeral costs is to purchase your casket at a third-party provider. Caskets tend to be the most expensive item on a funeral price list, and shopping around might save up to thousands of dollars. Although not all funeral homes make this option clear, the Funeral Rule requires that funeral homes accept a casket purchased from an outside retailer, if that is what you wish.
Planning a Long-Distance Funeral
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012
Although it’s not an ideal situation, there are cases in which a loved one in another location dies, and there is no one living nearby to help with the funeral planning. Because the nature of body disposal requires that most funerals be planned within a week’s time, it can be difficult to make all the necessary arrangements from another city or even another state.
The United States National Cemetery Administration
Saturday, May 19th, 2012iMortuary.com Blog Editors sincerely thank James Flanagan, Program Manager for the Presidential Memorial Certificate Program in the National Cemetery Administration, for his additions and early corrections to this article. His full comments are included in the Response section.
Every state and most major cities have a National Cemetery—those perfect rows of white headstones and crosses designating the burial place of our nation’s fallen heroes and veterans. If you have a military past, your funeral plans might bring up the possibility of burial in one of these cemeteries (or accessing other benefits through the Administration, such as a headstone, cremation costs, Presidential Memorial Certificate, or even a military salute to preside over the memorial service).
Choosing a Casket
Thursday, May 10th, 2012
One of the first decisions you’ll make if you opted for traditional burial as part of your funeral planning efforts is which casket you’d like. Some funeral homes offer burial packages, and you choose a casket from a select number of options in that package.
You can also choose a casket based on personal preference or even buy one through a third-party vendor (which funeral homes are then legally obligated to use). For more in depth planning guidance, download our guide, “7 Insider Tips You Need to Know Before Funeral Planning.” One of our 7 tips covers the upsides of having the funeral home order your casket.
In most cases, the decision of which casket to use is based on how they look or the materials they’re made out of. However, there is more to them than just aesthetics. If you’re selecting a casket for a loved one or for your own pre-planned funeral, here are a few considerations.
Choosing a Cemetery Plot: A Checklist
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
One of the most important decisions you’ll make while funeral planning is which cemetery plot to choose. Although it is possible to move buried or cremated remains after they have been interred, it is a very expensive and lengthy process. The final resting place you select should reflect the ideal location for this and future generations.
That’s why it’s important to take some time to explore your options and make the right choice for your family. And here are a few things to consider throughout the process.
Working with Hospice to Plan a Funeral
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
Most people associate hospice with issues related to end-of-life care, not funeral planning. After all, hospice is supposed to be about coping with terminal illness as a family and enjoying whatever time is left together.
However, because hospice exists to make the transition to death easier, it’s actually quite common for organizations to offer support and resources for funeral planning. The better prepared you are for the aftermath of death—including the social, emotional, spiritual, and financial ramifications—the easier it is to say your goodbyes while you still have time.
How to Choose a Funeral Service Provider
Saturday, April 21st, 2012
There are no laws in the United States that require you to choose a funeral home for all your funeral planning needs. Technically, you could coordinate the entire interment on your own (or under the guidance of a licensed provider), as long as you adhere to all the legal requirements in your county and fill out all the appropriate paperwork that accompanies death. For more in depth guidance, download our guide “7 Insider Tips You Need to Know Before Funeral Planning”
Online Funeral Planning Resources
Monday, March 26th, 2012Our iMortuary Blog is typically aimed at consumers seeking funeral home planning information. However, today’s post from Minda Brusse, Principal of iMortuary.com, addresses funeral home owners and managers across the United States.
Funeral homes are facing the challenge of rapid change in the way businesses and individuals connect. Millions of consumers turn to the Internet to research funeral planning, creating an opportunity for businesses to connect with consumers who have not made firm plans and choices. Many funeral homes and cemeteries have websites and use email to interact with their customers. However, across the board, visibility and appropriate online branding continues to be a general weakness. Several marketing-oriented companies are stepping in to fill the gap.
What is a Home Funeral?
Thursday, March 15th, 2012
When it comes to funeral planning, the modern consumer has more options than ever before. From cremation and green burial to traditional interment, there is a ceremony for every type of person—and every budget.
Those hoping to reduce funeral costs even more—and to put the focus back on family—have one more option: the home funeral. Once the only way to say goodbye to those we love, a home funeral is exactly what the name suggests. Instead of having a memorial service at a funeral home and burying the deceased in a cemetery, the entire process takes place at home.
