Funeral Costs

Based on the services chosen and the style of the funeral or memorial services, the costs can vary quite a bit. An average funeral will often cost between $6,000 to $7,000, and costs for the burial are extra.  Although, the price can increase quite dramatically to over $10,000 with additional services and upgrades.  Regardless if you are paying these expenses out of pocket or have a form of burial insurance, it is always best to have a basic understanding of the expenses related to funeral services and memorial services. We’ve listed some common memorial.  Feel free to look at our article about funeral and memorial ideas and our funeral planning checklist article.

Funeral costs usually include:

Professional fees by the funeral home or mortuary.

These usually cost somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000.  This is a non-negotiable fee if you wish to hold your service at a funeral home.  This costs includes, securing payments, paying staff during the needed hours of visitation and during the funeral service, organizing the death certificate, managing the funeral arrangements and also housing of the deceased’s body.  You should still ask what the price includes as each funeral home may include different services and the price can vary from funeral home to funeral home.

Embalming Fees

Embalming is not always required depending on your location. You should ask if this is mandatory. This services usually runs around $500.

Use of Facilities

The use of the facilities in the funeral home as well as in chapels for viewings, wakes may cost extra.  Additionally, it is always nice to make use of audio visual equipment, but you may be charged extra for this as well. These costs can run between $200 to $500. Make sure to find out if you can have these services included in their professional fee.

Transportation Fees

Transportation expenses usually include the transportation for the family during the services, transporting the body from the location where the death occurred and limousines for the funeral. You can expect to pay about $450.

Caskets

If you are planning on having a traditional funeral, the casket is often the single most expensive item. There is a huge difference in styles and prices between different caskets. Some are made of wood and others of steel (stainless steel, copper, bronze and steel). They can also be made of plastic, fiberglass, fiberboard and also out of biodegradable materials.  You can pay anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the material, design and complexity of the casket.

Funeral Flowers

Funeral flowers are generally quite expensive. The funeral home may ask your for money beforehand to order these flowers for you. Sprays, Wreaths and baskets are common for funeral services. These types of arrangements general start at about $125 each.  Remember that guests and out of town family and friends will also be sending flowers to the funeral home and they can be used to compliment the existing floral arrangements.  You may use our professional Sympathy Florist Shop as well to have custom picked floral arrangements sent directly to the funeral home.

Outer Burial Containers (Burial vaults or grave liners)

Some cemeteries require a grave liner or vault.  It protects the casket by being put in the earth before lowering the casket.  You should verify with the burial grounds and see if this is mandatory. You can expect to pay between $750 to $1,000.

Grave Marker or Headstone

Headstones can be very significant expense that is not included in burial costs or funeral costs. If you choose a raised headstone, expect to pay between $500 to $2,000.

Burial Costs

Expenses for the burial usually cost $1,000 to $2,000 and may include the burial plot. Digging the grave and getting the grave site ready is usually an extra costs which runs around $500.

Funeral Program Templates (Keepsakes) and Printing

Funeral Program, prayer cards, bookmarks, thank you cards, photo collages are worthwhile expense. These are the only items which guests will take home with them to remember your loved one.  Don’t settle for anything but the best when it comes to offering guests the most appropriate and beautiful keepsake. You could spend anywhere from $200 – $400 for approximately 200 funeral programs and thank you cards. The price can vary greatly depending on the type of paper, the layout such as trifold, graduated step fold and bifold and the required speed of the printing. Our template packages start at $29.95 Including a Single fold funeral program template and a matching thank you card. Our quality and prices cant be beat when it comes to funeral program templates and matching memorial cards.