Average Cremation Prices

April 15th, 2013
Average Cremation Prices.docx Average Cremation PricesIf you’re funeral planning on a budget, one of the first options that will be offered to you is cremation. Because less preparation goes into the process of cremation, and because there is no need to purchase a plot of land for the ashes, the costs associated with the process are lower. Of course, that doesn’t mean a cremation can’t be expensive. Depending on the memorial service you choose and options like caskets and urns, cremation costs can move well into the $10,000 range. Although every facility charges a little differently, here are a few averages in the cremation price list.
  • Full Service (this usually includes care and preparation of the body, transport, viewing, memorial materials, use of the funeral home, and any necessary rentals): $4,000 - $5,000
  • Rental Casket: $300 - $800
  • Cremation Container: $100 - $1,000
  • Cremation of the Body: $1,000 - $2,000
  • Urn: $100 - $1,000
  • Direct Cremation: $800 - $2,000
  • Direct Cremation with Memorial Service: $2,000 - $4,000
  • Graveside Service (if you plan on burying the urn or ashes): $1,000 - $2,000
  • Registry Book and Printed Materials: $50 - $200
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Are Funeral Costs Tax Deductible?

April 13th, 2013
Are Funeral Costs Tax DeductibleMost experts agree that funeral planning should be undertaken with the guidance of an attorney or financial advisor. Because of the high costs associated with funerals—not to mention the tricky tax laws when it comes to inheritance—it can be difficult to navigate the waters alone. This is true for the phase of funeral planning as well as when tax season rolls around. Medical Expenses Most medical expenses not covered by insurance can be claimed on a tax return (assuming you itemize your deduction), and keeping good track of all monies paid for the medical care of the deceased is a good idea if you want to claim some of the funds you paid out of pocket. Things like hospital stays, surgery, hospice care, medication, and other end-of-life concerns all apply under this setting. (more…)

The Environmental Impact of Cremation

April 11th, 2013
The Environmental Impact of CremationOne of the most common reasons to choose cremation over burial is because of the reputed environmental benefit. In an age when all of us are looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment, cremation provides a quick and easy solution. Cheaper than a traditional funeral and increasingly more accepted in traditional funeral planning circles, cremation is fast becoming the preferred choice for today’s funeral consumers. (more…)

Funeral Costs You Might Not Be Expecting

April 1st, 2013
Funeral Costs You Might Not Be ExpectingWhen most people go into a funeral home expecting to plan a funeral, they have a pretty good idea of what they can afford to pay and how they want to spend their money. Caskets, use of the facilities for a memorial service, funeral flowers, and embalming are all the kinds of things we’ve become accustomed to purchasing. Those who want to save money might decide on cremation or direct burial, while those with a comfortable life insurance policy might plan on going for a little more extravagance. (more…)

What is the Difference between a Mortuary and a Funeral Home?

March 29th, 2013
What is the Difference between a Mortuary and a Funeral HomeWhen it comes to the funeral industry, there are more providers involved than most people realize. From hospitals and mortuaries to funeral homes and crematoriums, the disposition of a body requires careful processing and handling. Most people are aware of the role a funeral home plays in traditional funeral planning proceedings. This facility, usually visible in the community, is your point of contact with the death care industry. Funeral homes employ funeral directors, who serve as the guide for your family’s decision-making process and provide you with the services and products you need. You can buy caskets, choose burial or cremation, pay for the funeral, and hold a service all on site. (more…)

Buying or Selling a Pre-Owned Burial Plot

March 27th, 2013
Buying or Selling a PreOwned Burial PlotIf you’re getting ready to pre-plan a funeral and are looking to save some money on burial costs, it might be a good idea to look into pre-owned cemetery plots. Although the name is a bit macabre (bringing to mind burial plots that have already seen bodies come and go), the concept of a pre-owned plot is actually quite normal. (more…)

Funeral Order of Service Suggestions

March 21st, 2013
Funeral Order of Service SuggestionsWhen it comes to funeral planning, there are no strict rules when it comes to how you set up the memorial service—but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few guidelines you can rely on to help. The order of service (also known as the funeral service sheet or funeral program) is a sort of itinerary for the memorial service, outlining what your guests can expect and providing a memento to take home after the service completed. Religious in nature (but not required to be), this is a great way to organize the day so that you don’t become overwhelmed by decisions. Because the order of service is such a standard practice for religious memorial services, there are plenty of places you can turn to find more information. You can ask for help and support from your funeral director, religious officials, or even your own ideas of what should or should not be included. (more…)

Sympathy Gifts for Men

March 19th, 2013
Sympathy Gifts for MenMost funeral gifts and sympathy offerings are geared toward a female population. Whether due to the natural progression of funeral trends or the fact that many types of comforting gift ideas are feminine in nature, the reality is that funeral gifts geared specifically for men tend to be more difficult to come by. Grief and Gender Men and women grieve differently—and there’s no time that this becomes more apparent than following the death of a loved one. As a general rule, women are more likely to reach out to family and friends for support, and to make a physical show of their bereavement. Men, on the other hand, might withdraw or isolate themselves (and their grief), trying to be strong for others. (more…)

Funeral Planning Help: How to Get over Your Fear of Cemeteries

March 17th, 2013
Funeral Planning Help: How to Get over Your Fear of CemeteriesThe fear of cemeteries (coimetrophia) or tombstones (placophobia) is a very real thing—just as real as the fear of heights or crowds or any of those things that inhibit a person’s ability to cope in this world. For most people, a fear of cemeteries can be avoided by simply not going to burial grounds or being in any way affiliated with them. Though difficult, life can still go on as normal. However, when funeral planning becomes necessary or when a loved one dies, these fears can come to the forefront. And because the fear is often so debilitating it’s not possible to go anywhere near the funeral plans, it can lead to quite a bit of unresolved grief and emotions. (more…)

Is It Possible to Have a Viking Funeral?

March 8th, 2013
Is It Possible to Have a Viking Funeral?When it comes to unique funeral traditions, no one does it quite like ancient Vikings. We’ve all seen depictions of Viking funerals in movies…the longboats with the deceased laid reverently across the prow as a fiery arrow is shot to the deck, the rafts with huge pyres that burst into flames at sea. It’s romantic and dramatic and a proper sendoff for a warrior culture that so many people these days glorify. (more…)

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