.
When comparing funeral prices, there are several factors to take into consideration, some obvious and some not. Ask the right questions so as to get a true and clear picture of your total funeral cost. All funeral homes, by federal regulation, are required to give you a general price list. Following is an excerpt from ours:
GENERAL PRICE LIST
PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES
Basic Service of Funeral Director and
Staff
$1350
This
service charge is not limited to but does include: Staff
assistance in the removal from place of death, pre and
post funeral counseling, family consultation, staff
assistance with all needed phases of the visitation and
funeral service; procuring, preparing and filing of
necessary notices, authorizations, certificates and
permits; registration and arrangement of flowers;
coordinating with those providing other portions of the
funeral, such as the clergy, cemetery or crematory;
direction of the funeral and final disposition; the
overall supervision of the funeral service, and any
follow-up assistance our families may need.
| Embalming |
$ |
| Other Preparation |
$ 350 |
| FACILITY
AND EQUIPMENT USAGE |
|
| Administrative | $ 35 |
|
Viewing (per day) |
$ 360 |
| Funeral (funeral home, church, other) | $ 340 |
| AUTOMOTIVE
EQUIPMENT |
|
| Transfer vehicle | $ 185 |
| Hearse | $ 220 |
| Lead/Minister vehicle | $ 150 |
| Service Vehicle | $ 185 |
| These items make up an overhead figure. | $4390 |
At our
funeral home you may pick and choose only those
items you feel necessary. The items listed make
up a service charge for our typically selected
funeral service.
The
casket and outer burial container (vault) section
of the price sheet shows a range offered.
MERCHANDISE
Caskets From $6,995 to $495
Outer Burial Containers From
$3,425 to $730
This can be deceiving - as the mid point in the range is not necessarily the average item sold. Ex: our mid point in the casket range of $6,995-$495 would be $3,745, when in fact our average casket sold is less than $2,000.
To these figures (Overhead fees, Casket, and Vault) appropriate cash advance items need added, they include the obituary, ministers gratuity, tent service at the cemetery, prayer cards/memorial folders, and the register book, all totaling an average of $350.
All these charges together would make up a typical funeral bill. When price comparing always compare apples to apples. When you encounter an excessively low total funeral price, be sure to ask what all in included, 9 out of 10 such ads are not totally inclusive.
p.s. Be aware that cemeteries have a charge to open and close the grave.
This
is separate to the funeral home charges, but never
the less does exist.