Costs Of Funeral Expenses - Funeral Planning

THE QUESTION: What are the first two questions that a loved one asks if their spouse or parent dies unexepectedly?
SPOUSE QUESTION #1: What should I do?
SPOUSE QUESTION #2: Do I have the money to pay for this?

Lately I've been doing some research on the costs of dying, or what costs you'll immediately incur should a loved one die suddenly.

I remember when my grandmother passed away, age 83, back in 1995 my dad arranged the funeral.. I didn't ask about the cost detail of the funeral, as I didn't feel it was appropriate to ask. My dad mentioned that the sandwiches, dainties and coffee for the family and friends visiting, cost upwards of $3,500. I looked around and saw maybe 200 sandwiches, and a couple pots of coffee.

I wasn't about to ask my dad if he haggled prices for these funeral services. His mother had just passed away. That's the angle that the funeral companies work with.

I don't think my grandmother had life insurance, but she did have savings in place to cover all costs.

My dad said in passing that, "this is what she wanted as her last request. A nice funeral where friends and family would be gathered." My dad didn't spare any expenses out of complete respect for his mother.

I never forgot about those exhorbitant funeral expenses, and was reminded about them again today.

How many people think about funeral expenses. I get a feeling that most people don't do "funeral shopping" until after the loved one dies. This means that the funeral companies are going to get the highest profits possible.

Even though it's not a popular topic I recommend that people take the time to call a funeral company and ask them for a "price list". As well, think of all of the other costs associated with the death:

• The funeral event
  
• hiring a priest
  
• casket or urn.
  
• Getting limousines
  
• Travel costs for family and friends who are visiting
  
• Housing family and friends who are visiting for the funeral
  
• Taking grieving time off from work
  

Articles from November 2007
More articles from Year 2007

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