Funeral expenses can reach staggering heights, often exceeding $10,000, without even accounting for the cost of a cemetery plot. This financial burden can be particularly stressful during a time of immense grief and emotional turmoil. However, there are strategies to alleviate these costs while ensuring a dignified service for the departed. One of the most important tips is SHOP AROUND!
You wouldn’t walk into the closest dealer and buy whatever car and options the salesperson recommended, but that’s how most people buy funeral goods and services. Most people assume they have to use a nearby funeral home, or they use one they’ve used in the past (even if they weren’t happy). If you are not using a funeral home for a viewing or service, you don’t need to use a local facility, and the one in a neighboring town might be half the price.
To get started, you can go to Google maps and in the search box type Funeral homes near …… (put in your zip code). A list of funeral homes with their addresses, phone #s, and websites will appear.
Federal law requires funeral homes to give you prices over the phone and hand you an itemized price list when you start talking about arrangements in person (see our article “How to Read a General Price List”). Shopping around can save thousands of dollars. If there is a local Funeral Consumers Alliance affiliate near you, they may have conducted a price comparison survey of near-by funeral homes. Consulting this price survey can save you time and money! Check for available price surveys here.
For more tips, please see the articles listed on the left side menu.