The last thing you want to think about after a loved one dies is money, but you need to make a decision regarding their final disposition. For centuries, burial was the most common choice, but in recent years cremation has become quite popular. It’s easier and cheaper than a traditional funeral, which comes with a long list of additional fees that most people don’t expect.
However, let’s take a closer look at the financial aspects of each option.
Funeral services are often more costly than cremation
Many people mistakenly think that when a loved one dies they just need to purchase a casket and pay the funeral home a fee for the funeral. In reality, a a funeral comes with a long list of expenses this usually costs more than a used car.
The cost of a funeral can exceed the cost of cremation by thousands of dollars, depending on the options you choose. For example, adding a viewing to the funeral will increase funeral home fees, and choosing a high-end casket or elaborate headstone can cause total costs to increase significantly over cremation. The most expensive item is the coffin.
A Coffin Will Be Your Biggest Expense
If you prefer a traditional funeral, you will need a casket. Although coffins are largely a cultural tool that enables the dignified transportation of bodies, they are also practical. A casket with a grave liner prevents the soil from collapsing under the weight of lawnmowers and other heavy equipment used to maintain cemetery grounds. Therefore, most cemeteries require both a casket and a grave liner, and this is where funeral homes make their big money. It is important where the coffin is purchased. If you buy one from a funeral home, you can expect to pay a significant difference. you save more by purchasing directly from the manufacturer.
The Cost of a Burial Ground Varies by Location
Once you calculate the cost of the casket, you will need to be strategic about the burial location. It makes sense to bury your loved one nearby so you can visit, but grave sites vary significantly in cost and it’s worth shopping around. For example, an average lot in a rural area may cost between $500 and $5,000, while in some metropolitan areas the cost may be between $9,000 and $20,000. It all depends on where the land is located. Private gardens and premium parks will come with a higher price tag.
At the end of the day, a simple funeral can cost you between $10,000 and $15,000. When you compare this cost to the cost of cremation, you’ll understand why more people are skipping traditional funerals.
Cremation Costs Less Than a Funeral, Even with Extras
Compared to traditional funerals, which come with a host of expenses and fees, cremation is much simpler and much more affordable. Direct cremation is cheaper, although you can still opt for burial and viewing if it’s within your budget. In this case, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for a direct cremation, plus the cost of the urn, which is much less than even the most basic cremation. If you want to hold a memorial service, this will cost more, but still less than a funeral. For example, the total cost of a cremation with a memorial service can be between $3,000 and $7,000.
The Value of Cremation Goes Beyond Saving Money
As with every big decision, cost is a factorBut cremation has another benefit. In fact, many people choose cremation so they can preserve their loved one’s ashes to honor them in a variety of ways. For example, many people embed some of the ashes in jewelry or turn them into paint that an artist uses to create memorial paintings.
“When a family chooses to cremate, they’re not just choosing the lower-cost option; they’re choosing the flexibility that allows them to honor a life in a personal way.” Susan Fraser, founder of In The Light Urns, says: Guiding families on memorial decisions since 2001.
“I’ve worked with thousands of families who balance budgets with meaning. Cremation often costs much less than a traditional funeral. There’s no plot to purchase, no vault fees, none of the additional expenses that drive funeral costs so high. Families can make that difference in a special urn or keepsake that truly reflects the person. It doesn’t replace grief, but it takes the financial pressure off so healing can begin.”
After all, C.Choosing between funeral and cremation is both a financial and personal choice. Whether you choose a traditional funeral or cremation, you don’t have to spend a fortune for the closing.
Photo: Sandy Millar: Unsplash
