Funeral Planning Guide

T AfterSteps plan for the expected Funeral Planning Guide Planning a funeral can be a difficult, stressful time. AfterSteps is here to help, with statistics and tips to consider when plan- ning a loved one's funeral. Burial vs. Cremation Burial v. Cremation Rates, 1960-2010 96.44 95.41 90.28 82.87 73.83 59. 40.6 26.17 17.13 9.72 3.56 4.59 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Cremation, Burial and Faith Permitted in... Burial Cremation Christianity Judaism Islam Hinduism Buddhism Bahá'í Cost Analysis Burial Costs Cremation Costs O $2,205 non-declinable service fee - $2,205 non-declinable service fee embalming and preparation use of facilities and staff $1,018 for funeral and viewing $963 O $252 preparation cremation and use of facilities and staff $1,018 for funeral and viewing transportation O $637 to cemetery metal $2,295 casket O $250 $250 urn O $1,195 vault $8,565 $3,725 Funeral Costs Rising Funeral Costs, 1965-2009 $6,195 $6,560 $4,626 $2,737 $790 $1,285 1965 1975 1985 1995 2006 2009 Other Costs Plot: only necessary for a burial, although if you choose to scatter your loved one's ashes in a scatter- ing garden or store them in a colombarium, there may $6000 be a similar cost involved. $1500 Grave Marker: a headstone or other memorial plaque, an option for both burials and cremations. $1200 $2000 Grave Opening/Closing: both digging the grave and interrment. Only necessary for burials. $300 $1000 Memorial Program: a printed program memorializing the deceased. $125 Clergy/Celebrant: the person in charge of performing the service. $150 $250 Shop Around prices can vary 164% between funeral homes miles 5apart when calling a funeral home ask them for a list of prices. they are required to provide one by law do not. but many The Funeral Rule The Funeral Rule is a series of consumer guidelines created by the FTC to keep funeral customers safe from predatory selling practic- es. Buy only the funeral arrange- Get price information over the ments you want. telephone. Get a written, itemized price list See a written casket price list when you visit a funeral home. before seeing any caskets. Recieve when you decide what you instead of a casket for crema- want, and before you pay. written statement Use an "alternative container" tion. Provide the funeral home with a casket or urn you purchased elsewhere. See a written outer burial con- tainer price list. Get an explanation in the writ- ten statement from the funeral Make tuneral arangements home that describes any legal cemetery or crematory require- without embalming. ments. Sources: "Cost of A Funeral: What Is the Average Cost of A Funeral?" eFuneral. "The High Cost of Saying Goodbye." CNN Money. "Trends and Statistics." National Funeral Director's Association. "Funeral Costs and Pricing Checklists." Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Information. "Funeral Costs: A Detailed Price Breakdown." thefuneralsite.com.