What factors determine the cost of a Funeral?

Funeral Cost Determining Factors

Funerals are often considered expensive for several different reasons. However, when you consider the many different services that go into the funeral process, from picking up the deceased (at any time, day or night) all the way to laying them to rest, it is easier to see where the costs are. Obviously, the best way to keep costs in your budget is to pre-plan. This gives you the opportunity, with a clear mind, to do your research and shop around. Pre-planning also it lets you think through the different options that are available.

(Download our Free Funeral Planning Guide here)

7 Factors Involved In Funeral Cost

There are several variables that can help funeral costs go up or down, depending on the preferences of the family.

1. Professional Services Fee

This is the funeral home’s initial cost that comes on top of the features mentioned below. The service fee includes funeral planning, securing the right permits and death certificate copies, preparing notices and coordinating arrangements with third parties. Having a staff available 24 hours a day, along with the standard costs of any operating business, including staff salaries, property expenses, and insurance can prove to be costly.

2. Caskets

If you are planning a traditional funeral, this is likely going to be the highest-priced item on your funeral cost list. A funeral director will show you a selection of caskets that they sell, which will likely include cheaper options and expensive options. You are also allowed to provide a casket you purchased from a third party.

3. Embalming

If you plan to have a viewing or a visitation, some funeral homes require the body to be embalmed, which is a service they’d likely provide. If the body is cremated shortly after death, embalming is unnecessary or legally required.

4. Funeral Service

When having a ceremony at the funeral home, there will be additional costs for using their chapel or a separate room, and for the assistance of any staff.

5. Cremation or Burial

You might choose cremation, which is a separate cost. If you don’t have a viewing, you can have the body cremated directly, which means the funeral home will provide a container for the process.

For burials, grave liners or burial vaults are placed inside the grave to prevent the sides from caving in. While these aren’t required by law, the cemetery might require them to prevent sinking.

6. Urns or Headstones

Whether you choose cremation or burial, you’ll have an added cost for what marks the body’s final resting place. There are hundreds of different types of urns and keepsake items that ashes can be stored in, including jewelry and memorial benches. There are also different types of stones used for grave headstones, including marble, granite or sandstone.

 The Gardens of Boca Raton offers their cemetery and funeral services at reasonable prices with payment plans available so when the unfortunate time comes, your loved ones will not be burdened in what will already be a very difficult time. When you are ready to discuss your end of life needs and final resting place for yourself or someone in your family in Broward, Dade or Palm Beach County, give them a call at (561) 989-9190, and make an appointment with one of our Family Counselors.