During the downturn in the economy, there’s still one industry with a steady supply of paying customers and business doesn’t look to end anytime soon. That’s because those in the multi-billion dollar funeral industry survive by the simple fact that people keep kicking the can, and their relatives are usually willing to dole out the dough to send Grandma Sue off in high class. But, according to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a traditional funeral is $7,323, which doesn’t include burial costs. Burial plots and other expenditures can push the total to $10,000 or more. That’s not cheap during thick times and it can be a downright hardship during the lean times.
That’s why some are looking for cutbacks, whether it is for themselves or for recently deceased relatives. Auctioning off burial plots, opting for carnations instead of roses, and toning down the casket from bronze to cardboard are just some of the recession-minded, budget-tightening measures that customers are taking.
I’m Sorry About Your Loss—Now Here’s the Bill
Buying a package funeral deal seems to be the easiest option for grief-stricken family members—and that’s the way it’s intended. Instead of scaling down to the necessities, many people buy an all-inclusive “traditional” funeral—an embalming, an ornate casket, open casket wake, fancy flowers, ceremony, procession, and graveside service. However, according to the Funeral Consumer’s Alliance (FCA), a consumer advocate group, this type of funeral is a fairly recent commercial invention—and not necessarily a good one.
- Early on in your discussions, ask for a general price list, which outlines costs
- Before picking out a casket, ask for a casket price list, which should include caskets around or under $500
- You should receive an outer burial container price list before selecting a grave liner or coffin vault
- If you were told that something was required by law, you should have been given that evidence in writing
